KylieOlive : Diaries of an Independent Woman

Lifestyle Blog about Fashion, Beauty, Health, Food & Life Blog de la mode, la santé et la vie

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Woman Crush Wednesday: Blake Lively

Lately as my belly (arms and thighs) seem to be getting bigger and bigger as I approach my 30th week of pregnancy (Yikes),  I have been looking for some fashion inspiration, especially during the cold, to perk me up. My woman crush at the moment is Blake Lively. Her winter maternity style makes her look elegant and stylish while balancing out her bump with the rest of her body. Check out some examples below.

Some of the maternity fashion tips I have taken this winter from Blake are as follows: Overgrown scarves and ponchos to align your figure and balance out the bump, long jumpers coupled with skinny jeans and knee high or ankle boots. Stylish handbag to accessorise outfit.

Below are some of her pre-pregancy winter outfits that i just love and cannot wait to steal once I get my body back.

Kylie

x

[kylieolive]

Dubai Part 2 & Abu Dhabi

Finally able to upload my part two of our baby moon in Dubai after 3 weeks without wifi. A bit late but better than never. Hope to catch up on my posts soon.

Our last few days in UAE were packed full of fun activities, and one of them was a day trip to Abu Dhabi. Expecting another Dubai; I was surprised to see a more residential and calm city, with very little to do. On the Agenda was Masdar City, The Corniche, Grand Mosque and Ferrari World.

Masdar City, a place I had never heard of before, is a little mini research city dedicated to finding sustainable energy solutions by using wind and solar energy. One of their most famous projects, was there flight around the world using solar panels on the plane as energy. The highlight here was riding around in these mini solar powered pods pictured above. The fact that is was solar powered and directed by magnets was fascinating and gives hope for a more ecological means of transport some day. 

After that we set out for the corniche, expecting another Dubai beach Mall. We were disappointed to just find a simple beach strip with little restaurants or shops nearby, though beautiful we were starving and ended up walking for ages in the direct heat looking for something to eat!

Next stop was The Grand mosque, here I had the fright of my life as I realized I was a visibly pregnant unmarried woman in a place where it is illegal to be! I was constantly singled out by security and had to wear an Abaya different than those given to other tourists, though I couldn't tell the difference by looking at them. Lee and I posed for a photo with him placing a hand on my shoulder, we were then approached by the security guard telling Lee he is not allowed to touch me and to delete the photo. All in all it is a very beautiful and extravagant building and seems to be more of an tourist attraction than an actual religious place.

Our last stop in Abu Dhabi was Ferrari World, where unfortunately being 6 months pregnant, i was not able to do much. Here they have the worlds fastest roller coaster than goes at speeds of 250 KM/H. So wished I could have tried it!

For our last days in Dubai we climbed the top of the Burj Khalifa, which you should do at least once but definitely would not do it again as after awhile the views are the same and there is nothing else up there to see or do. We then had a High tea at the Burj Al Arab which is a luxurious 7 star hotel, which has the most stylish bathrooms I have ever seen. The bathrooms looked like a lounge room! After that we went to a nearby pub and participated in a pub quiz where we won 100£, a great end to our holiday.

Feeling sun kissed, relaxed and bump much bigger than the start of the trip, it was time to head back to Aberdeen and move into our new house! So much happening in so little time. Hope to catch up on posts soon. Until then..

Kylie xxx

[kylieolive]

Dubai: Part 1

We are here in Dubai and half of our trip has flown by. The weather here is phenomenal with temperatures up to 35 degrees with sun, sun and sun! We are staying at Amwaj Suites at Dubai Marina in an amazing spacious 2 bedroom apartment with views onto the Marina and the beach just a 2 minute walk away. What else could you want?

First stop, CandyPants Party Brunch at XL Beach with all you can eat buffet and drinks, and amazing music throughout the night. This was a great party with loads of people dressing up for Halloween with great views of the beach. It was fun to catch up with my cousin and fellow Aussies in such a lively atmosphere! As predicted this place was full of beautiful people, with women showing off there amazing figures in amazing dresses. No choice but to sit in the corner and hide while I stuffed my face with all you can eat food.......

Next, we spent the day chilling by the pool and walking along the new beach mall. This was when we really felt the sun and I wished I had better summer maternity clothes. This place was amazing. On one side you have the beautiful beach, with children playing and people sun baking on their sun lounges, and on the other side rows of terraced restaurants, stalls and boutiques. Could have stayed there forever!

Next on our agenda before returning home is Abu Dhabi and Ferrari world, Wander and Lunch at Burj Khalifa, High Tea at the Burj al Arab and Ladies Night. Will keep you posted

Kylie 

xxx

[kylieolive]

Babymoon time......

The time is here for future husband and I to enjoy our last trip away before the baby arrives, and we chose to go to Dubai! Only an 8 hour flight away from drizzly Aberdeen, with the perks of high fashion shopping, amazing high teas, brunches and lying by the pool in the sun. Usually it would take me 3 seconds to pack for a summery holiday but being 6 months pregnant makes it much more difficult. Byebye flashy high heels, tight short dresses and midriffs and hello whatever I can fit into that won't make me look like a sweaty inflated whale. Thank God I was able to find a few cute outfits and accessories to help me feel better about being the fattest girl in Dubai!

Not usually a fan of Primark but it has been a saviour for me to buy cheap cute tops to fit over my bump.

Cute Comfy Pumps by Kurt Geiger

Cross Body & Make-up Bag by Marc Jacobs, Leather Clutch by Tony Bianco

Pool Time!!! Sandals by Nine West, Bikini By Roxy and Cap by New York Yankees.

It is important for me to look after my skin especially when travelling as the altitudes tend to dry out your skin. Here are my travel beauty essentials.

1. All Natural Sunscreen by Sunclear with RoseHip Oil. 2. Travel Bottle of Organic Olive oil which I use religiously as a night cream and make up remover. It is also great to apply on your skin during long flights to keep it hydrated! 3. Kora Organic Facial Mist 4. Dr Hauschka Organic Firming Mask 5. Dr Hauschka Organic Cleansing Cream 6. Venus Snap Travel Razor 7. Sonic USB Travel Electric Toothbrush, this is amazing to keep in your handbag or travel luggage 8. Neals Yard Organic Facial Wipes, great for removing make up on the plane 9. Face Cloth 10. Batiste Dry Shampoo & Bio Oil to prevent stretch marks on my growing bump.

To start the trip off to a good start, we got upgraded to Business Class! YAY Thanks British Airways!

Dubai here we come!!

Kylie

xxx

[kylieolive]

Home Sweet Home: Building a house in Ecuador.

Waking up this morning, the tasks that needed to be done today weighed me down. I am moving house in three weeks and have no furniture, cutlery, linen or anything for the house besides our clothes and personal belongings. As my partner and I are renting out our lovely flat in the centre of Aberdeen as furnished, everything stays put, meaning we have to furnish a four bedroom house before baby arrives in February, preferably before Christmas if I have my own way! However as I get up and walk around my warm, lovely home thinking about what colour sofa I want and annoyed at how long delivery times are, I am suddenly ashamed of myself. I am complaining because I am moving to the house of my dreams, a four bedroom house for the 3 of us, because I may have to wait a few months to furnish it to my style and tastes. As I contemplate this, my mind goes to my father in law to be, who as been busy all week trying to raise money for the less fortunate. He has taken time out of his busy schedule and money from his pocket to go to Ecuador for a month and build a house for a single mother of three in extreme poverty in November. A month to build a house? Yes this sounds a bit bold but this is not a house that you and I know but more of a garage with 2 rooms, no electricity or running water. Not much of a house but is nonetheless ten times better than what this poor family currently live in and will make this family very happy and comfortable for years to come.

Below the shack that they currently live in

Mrs Benavides and her three children live in an improvised room which consists of a single room with an open window and a plastic sheet over the door. She is a single mum and works as a cleaner earning US$80 per month (that’s £12 per week for the whole family). This puts her well below the poverty line and, in fact, below the survival line in Equador!  

To help to raise money for this family, a Fun Fundraising Race Night is being held at Denmore Park Clubhouse Bridge of Don Saturday October 17th @ 7:30pm, if you are free or around the area,  please feel free to drop in. There will be snacks and lots of fun prizes to be won if your horse is to win.

If you are unable to attend but would still like to donate some money, please contact either myself: [email protected] or Ray Moles : [email protected]. Any amount of money donated would go along way in such a poverty stricken country and no amount is too small.

Kylie

xxx

[kylieolive]

20 Weeks pregnant and counting!

The Blog is back after a year and I can tell you a lot has changed. I am currently 20 weeks pregnant with the mini me scheduled to pop in Feb 2016 and it cannot come soon enough. “Oh how lovely” everybody seems to be saying to me as they reach to touch my ever so itchy and growing bump, but it has not been an ‘Oh so lovely’ few months, unless you consider laying on the bathroom flooring crying with puke in your hair to be lovely. I wish I could say that pregnancy has been this magical ‘finding myself’ journey but I just can’t. Sorry to be blunt, but pregnancy SUCKS, it really SUCKS ASS! Those gorgeous women we see on magazine covers that manage to make their bump look like an accessory to their outfit, with gorgeous glowing skin and perfect hair are liars or superwomen sent to make us normal people feel like utter crap! Don’t get me wrong I am more than overjoyed and anxious to meet my little one but the side effects of pregnancy took me totally by surprise, I have never understood why no one seems to talk about the negative side of pregnancy.

Don’t get me wrong, for some people being pregnant is bliss, look at my sister in law to be for example, when pregnant told me she didn't feel any different, except a little bit more hungry. She breezed through her pregnancy and at the end of it was able to walk out of the hospital in her size 8 jeans!!!! WOW I thought watching her, I could easily do this! So my plan went as follows, I’d eat super healthy, attend pregnancy Yoga and Pilates classes and be zen, continue working and building my empire until I was ready to pop, and be a fabulously dressed socialite! Hahaha what do they say, You make plans and god laughs? Yep he got me! Eating healthy for the first 4 months was a joke, as everything i tried to ingest came back up between 5 to 15 times a day, including water! Yes seriously WATER!!!! the only thing I could keep down was junk food, I am still to attend a yoga class but as it seems every time I try to book the class I am taken over with either horrible nausea or extreme tiredness. Continue working? There are only so many times you can vomit and pee on yourself at work without them calling you in to say ‘ Maybe we should call it quits’. Yes Pee on yourself! It happens a lot! The day my husband to be innocently suggested I start wearing nappies was the day he almost died!

Fashionable socialite? Pleeeease, the days I am able to get out of the house and survive the many odours of people, food and shops without violently throwing up everywhere is when I am hit with extreme fatigue. My last attempt at buying clothes, my husband to be came in and found me slumped in a corner as I was too tired to continue. I still havent bought everything I need yet and I have been 3 times!

So all you women out there, struggling to look as fabulous as Miranda Kerr during your pregnancy please know you are not alone and not to beat yourself up over it. Pregnancy is hard, your body has been hijacked and there is no right or wrong way of doing it. Listen to your body, if chips and burgers is all you can keep down then by all means eat it. Dont let anyone make you feel guilty, you and only you knows the rhythm of your body so do what you feel is right and tell everyone to BACK OFF. With all of this, there is one side effect to look forward to and that can bring a smile to my face no matter how I am feeling  - Feeling your baby kick for that brief second seems to make all the other symptoms worth it!

Kylie 

xxx

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Detox diet and Spirulina

After our Greek holiday tasting all of the amazing local food and wines I needed a serious detox. ( I will post soon about our greek holiday). So following the hype I have started the 14 day BooTea detox. I have been on it for about a week and so far i think it is pretty effective. Definitely helps with digestion and i feel like my tummy is a lot less bloated.

Even though the tea is effective nothing beats a healthy diet and my super green smoothie! Cutting out gluten, sugar and dairy as well as decreasing my meat intake not only helps me shed my holiday pounds but increases digestion, clears my skin and gives me heaps of energy. I truly believe that digestion is the pinnacle of health. Bad digestion is the source, in my opinion, of all disease and ageing.

One ingredient that I swear by is Spirulina. Spirulina is an algae found in fresh water and is a superfood. Packed full of nutrients and vitamins, this algae has been used to boost the immune system and was even given to under nourished children in third world countries as it is so nutrient dense. The benefits are wide and there are a few studies that even suggest that it may cure cancer. Keeping the studies and theories aside, my personal experience with spirulina is amazing. It alkalises the body by boosting digestion and cleaning out your colon, getting rid of access acidity and toxins. After the initial detox period which i warn, can be quite rough (I have never had such a splitting headache as i did when going through my detox period) you will reep the rewards. I instantly had more energy which was amazing for someone who would sleep non stop for over 14 hours, my skin cleared and started to glow, I no longer suffered from constipation and bloating and my hair started to grow and become fuller and thicker.  I truly recommend it to anyone, I use organic spirulina powder that i add to my green smoothie every morning. Start small and gradually increase the doses to minimise the detox period but do not give up. You my feel horrible for a few days but the benefits afterwards are worth it!

[kylieolive]

1. Fashion Accessories from Parfois! The clutch is great quality and has enough room to put everything I need in it 2. Cool sneakers from MIM France 3. White camisole from H&M 4. Kora Organics founded by model Miranda Kerr, Cream cleanser, face spray and moisturizer! Love these products, they are a little expensive but they are all natural and feel great on my skin. 5. High waisted shorts and mesh sleeve top from Urban Outfitters. 6. Cute knickers  from Victoria's Secret

1. Accessoires de mode de Parfois! Le clutch est de bonne qualité et il y a assez d'espace pour mettre tout ce dont j'ai besoin 2. Baskets streetwear de MIM 3. Haut blanc de H&M 4. Kora Organics, produits de beauté fonde par mannequin Miranda Kerr. Ils sont bio avec les ingrédients tout naturel, c'est un must have! 5. Shorts et haut d'Urban Outfitters 6. Les culottes de Victoria's Secret

[kylieolive]

Korres All Natural Cosmetics

Summer is here, and that means sun exposed hair and skin which if not nourished and protected can lead to dry brittle hair and premature wrinkles, so here are some all natural products that I absolutely love from Korres, a greek company that specialises in chemical free, natural cosmetics.

1. Korres All Natural Shea Butter & Vitamin Nourishing Hair Mask: I use this once a week and it leaves my hair feeling soft and healthy

2: Korres Natural Yogurt Face cream with Sunscreen: Use this every morning before heading outside. It is a lovely texture and protects my skin without leaving a thick white mask like most sunscreens.

What natural products do you use? Leave a comment and let me know :)

[kylieolive]

I don't know if it's just me, but I can't find where to comment on your blog posts!!!

Hello,Yea there is a comment section at the bottom on the posts next to the heart note sign :)

[kylieolive]

6 Months to a perfect smile!

During my teenage years, I never had to worry about having bad crooked teeth as I was lucky enough to be born with strong straight teeth. I used to watch all of my friends grimace at the pain of having their braces fixed and wonder ' Does it really hurt that much'? As I reached my 20's I slowly started to have my wisdom teeth surface. Little by little my teeth started to move, until one day I woke up and realised that my front tooth was overlapping the other. I was mortified, and watched how it became worse and worse, hating to look at myself in photos as all I could see was this overlapping tooth. Finally I had enough and researched possible treatments to fix my teeth without having to wear a brace for 2 years! I found the 6 month fast brace. It is a clear brace that is fitted onto your teeth for 3-6 months depending on how bad your teeth are. I will say, I have had them in for just over a month and I can see a remarkable difference already!!! What will it look like in another 4 and a half months? I can't wait to see!

What do you think so far?

[kylieolive]

Sweet Potato Brownies!

I am a firm believer in keeping young and healthy through food, even though I do love a good burger and fries now and then. There are more and more studies that confirm that most diseases including cancer are a result of years of eating chemical laden foods with little to no nutrients in them, that get stuck in our bodies turning into toxic gloop that constantly releases toxins into our bloodstream. Even wrinkles and grey hairs are being linked to poor nutrition and poor digestion! So here is a recipe from one of my favourite health food blogs called Deliciouslyella.com, which gives clean healthy recipes that are gluten, dairy free. These Sweet potato brownies are not only packed with nutrients but are absolutely delicious!!!

Je crois énormément qu'on peut rester sain et jeune par la nourriture qu'on consomme. il y a de plus en plus des études qui confirment que la plupart des maladies, le cancer inclus, est le résultat de notre régime alimentaire. Même les cheveux gris et des rides ont connecté par notre alimentaire. Alors voici une de mes recettes preferes pour les gens qui aime bien manger des gâteaux. C'est des brownies de patate douce! Qui vient d'une blogueuse de la santé deliciouslyella.com. Ces brownies n'ont pas seulement délicieux, ils sont sains, avec pleins nutriments,vitamins, sans gluten, et sans laitières.

First you need

2 Sweet Potatoes

2/3 Cup of ground almonds

1/2 Cup of gluten free flour

14 Pitted dates

3 Tablespoons of Pure maple syrup

4 Tablespoons of cocoa. For added nutritional value use raw cacao

Then steam the potatoes until they are soft and then blend or mix with the dates until you get a paste consistency. Then in another bowl add all the remaining ingredients to get before mixing with the sweet potato mixture. Mix well and then spread out onto a lined baking tin

Il faut

2 patates Douces

2/3 Tasse de poudre d'amande

1/2 tasse de farine sans gluten, ideallement la farine de sarrasin

14 dattes sans noix

3 cuillères de soupe de sirop d'érable

4 cuillères de soupe de cacao cru

Cuire les patates douces à la vapeur et faire une puree avec les dattes. Dans une autre bol, mélanger le reste des ingrédients et ensuite mixer bien avec la puree. Mettre dans la moule.

Bake for 20 minutes or until a knife comes out clean on 180 degrees. Once finished allow to cool and dig in!

Cuire dans le four à 180 degrés pendant 20 minutes ou jusqu'à bien cuit, pour tester mettre un couteau dans le milieu, si le couteau est bien propre quand vous sortez du gâteau, il est pret! Laissez refroidir quelques minutes

YUMMMMM!

[kylieolive]

New life in Aberdeen!!

So here it is, my Parisian life as a Fashion buyer is now over as I start a new one in Aberdeen Scotland! Ahhhhh the things we do for love! After handing over the keys to our amazing Haussmann styled apartment, I got picked up by Uber and headed to Charles de Gaulle to hang out in the lounge before my flight to Scotland.

Et voilà, le grand départ! Ma vie d'acheteuse à Paris est maintenant fini et je commence une nouvelle vie en Écosse. Oh la là ce qu'on est prête à faire pour l'amour!. Après avoir rendu les clés de notre joli appartement de l'11eme, j'ai eu un chauffeur d'Über venir me chercher pour me ramener à l'aéroport CDG, pour passer un peu du temps dans le lounge avant mon vol.

Amazing free food, wine and Wi-Fi in the BA Lounge before boarding my flight.

La nourriture, vin et Wi-Fi gratuity dans le lounge de British Airways! C'est bon!

Arrived in Aberdeen to the most beautiful weather! What a shock! I actually got a tan. Lets hope this weather continues.

 Enfin arrivée à Aberdeen et le soleil m'attend! Quelle surprise! J'ai même reussi de bronzer un peu. En espérant ce temps continu.

[kylieolive]

Some amazing going away presents I received before leaving Paris. I had seen the Tiffany necklace in New York last October and now I finally have it. It is perfect to wear everyday, and looks dainty and stylish. The Marc Jacobs Laptop case was also perfect for my MacBook while travelling. Love it! Great pic me up while I am packing and selling all of our furniture while sleeping on the floor!!!

Avant le départ j'ai eu quelques cadeaux sympas. J'avais vu le collier de Tiffany's à New York en octobre et je suis très contente de l'avoir enfin. C'est parfait, tendance et féminin. La pochette Marc Jacobs pour mon MacBook est aussi parfaite et idéale pour utiliser quand je voyage. Je l'adore, c'est parfait pour me donner le sourire pendant mon déménagement.

[kylieolive]

Last restaurant in Paris at 'Le Train Bleu' in Gare de Lyon. Great service and great food. Will miss Paris cuisine.

Pour notre dernier soir à Paris, nous sommes alle manger à "Le train bleu" à Paris Gare de Lyon. Le service et qualité de nourriture étaient genial, et l'endroit est très romantique.

What I am wearing/ Je porte.....

Top/Haut: Bershka

Jeans: H&M

Blazer: H&M

Shoes/Chaussures: Mango

Bag: MIM

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London Part 2

1. Bought a Marc Jacobs iphone cover & I love it. 2. The British Museum 3. Best lamb kebabs i have ever had!

Londres Partie 2

1. Ma coque Iphone de Marc Jacobs! Je l'adore! 2. Le musée Britannique où se trouvent les corps des mommies d'Égypte. 3. Le meilleur kebab je n'ai jamais eu!

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London Baby! During my parents stay we went off to London for 5 days. It was great, the weather was perfect, i even got a tan while walking round. Who would have thought ? Getting a tan in London. Here are some pics from the trip 1. Michael Kors! 2.Me & Big Ben 3. Mum and I at Leicester Square 4. A bit go window shopping on Oxford Street

Je suis à Londres! Pendant le visit de mes parents, nous sommes tous alles à Londres pour 5 jours. C'était genial, il a fait beau tous les jours, nous avons tous bronze! Voici quelques photos.1. Michael kors! 2. Big Ben et moi 3. Ma mere est moi à Leicester square 4. Shopping sur Oxford Street.