2 – Page 5 – Nicole Ballardini

TIPS TO PACK WITHOUT OVERPACKING

Written by nickyinsideout on December 12, 2017. Posted in 2, Fashion. 4 Comments on TIPS TO PACK WITHOUT OVERPACKING

I am already in Marrakech with my little family since Sunday and I´ve been super excited for this trip since in Amsterdam it’s been freezing and snowing! It’s finally time for some warm days for us ( YAY)!! But let’s go back to last weekend when I was getting ready for trip.. I want to share with you some tips to pack your luggage, since it’s something I love to do..

(I know, freaky!!)

I love packing, but maybe, when it comes to traveling, packing isn’t the most fun part for most people. Especially when you’re expected to pack all of your favourite outfits into one luggage or hand luggage even! I used to overpack my luggage with clothes I never wore in the end, just because I was scared I would not bring enough..

My first tips to pack are to exactly plan your outfits few days ahead and match clothes together to avoid bringing too much. I try to plan looks where I can switch accessories since shoes and bags are the pieces that keeps the most space and weight. Then I quickly try on the outfits and take a mirror screenshot so I remember exactly what goes with what. Then I keep all the screenshots ready day-by-day on my phone and that’s it, no outfit stress for the whole holiday!

Another of my tips to pack is is rolling your clothes, not folding them. I first place all the shoes, bags and bigger items at the bottom of my luggage, then fill in the spaces with the rolled clothes. It saves loads of space and for tidy freaks like me it keeps your luggage nice and organized. Finally, I try to always finish packing the day before so I have room for the last things I was going to forget! And that happens all the times!

If you are thinking of travelling to Morocco in winter time, you can take some inspiration from what I packed. All the items are linked below and you can follow my Instagram to see all my daily outfits!

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{SHOPPING} DRESSING DOWN A SUIT WITH TRAINERS

Written by nickyinsideout on December 9, 2017. Posted in 2, Fashion. 14 Comments on {SHOPPING} DRESSING DOWN A SUIT WITH TRAINERS

One of the trends I am really liking this season and I was very excited to try, is wearing a suit with trainers, in a very casual way! Wearing a suit with trainers, dressing it down and make it wearable for the every day life. Not just office life anymore!

We’ve been wearing blazers, since a couple years ago, in combination with a simple white t-shirt, and already was my cup of tea! In general, we may think, of course, that suits are more for formal or business wear. However, nowadays a simple addition of a casual top and sneakers, can easily make it very cool! Suits can change from formal to everyday wear with sneakers very easily and still keeps you very chic!

Personally, I really love trends with a masculine touch such as suits, blazers and trousers. I mix it with casual pieces, mostly sneakers, t-shirts and knits and it can really give you a more comfy feeling for every day wearing. It does look more stylish than a pair of jeans, but keeps the same easiness.

You can take a traditional suit you already own and make it more interesting and fun with the ‘suit with trainers’ combo, or you can take a look at the ones I’ve selected below!

I am curios to know how you like this trend!!

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BEAUTY PRODUCTS & JEWELLERY AS BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS – PART 1

Written by nickyinsideout on December 7, 2017. Posted in 2, Beauty. 12 Comments on BEAUTY PRODUCTS & JEWELLERY AS BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS – PART 1

Personally, I think there’s no better gift than giving things I am already familiar with, so I know I can go no wrong! This season, I am putting together for you, three Christmas gift posts with my favourite beauty products & jewellery in the hope this can make your gifts research a little easier!

I am going to be sharing with you, each Thursday of December until Christmas, some of my favourite beauty products & jewellery items I am loving and wearing at the moment. You can use it as inspiration for a nice gift for your sisters, mum, bestie, mother in laws.. and all the girls around you! All products are amazing, from every price point and my favourites at the moment and I believe that will make happy any of your beloved girls!

Why I am loving these beauty products & jewellery:

Le Rouge Perfecto Givenchy: I recently tried this lip balm (it works as a lipstick) and immediately became part of my every day beauty bag. It gives a lovely natural pink tint to my lips and incredibly hydrates and softens up. It’s perfect when you go for the ‘no-makeup-look’ because creates lovely, glowy lips. Also I find it reasonably long lasting and the packaging is so chic! Be Legendary Liquid Pigment Lipstick Smashbox: I wear this one for an evening out or when I normally go to events. It gives me the full coverage of a lipstick so I can enjoy a nice drink or dinner without it fading away and gives me the high shine of a gloss in a single coat! Christian Louboutin Bikini Questa Sera Parfume: I am loving the oriental floral touch! As a floral lover I love the scent of this parfume. The packaging is so elegant and the smell is quite sophisticated. The mix of paradisone, green nectars, jasmin and sandalwoon gives you the most feminine feeling. Lancôme Rôsy Plump: What I like about this lip gloss is the element of menthol that gives my lips a cooling effect. It gives you a beautiful shine and I use it in two ways. Either on top of the lipstick to make my lips shine or without when it naturally improves the colour of my lips. If you wear it without lisptick you can feel how moisturised your lips are, even after some time you put it on. And I love the nude colour. Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil Kiehl’s: I am somewhat obsessed when it comes down to skin care products and I’ve been loving this cleaning oil from Kiehl’s long time now! It is rich enough to remove gently even waterproof make-up completely from my face. My skin is clean and feels soft and hydrated every night after I use it. I can tell that the quality of product is high. I love how is my skin is bright and blowy after every use plus the botanical oil smell is amazing. Le Labo Body Cream: Le Labo is vegan, a plant based formula cream with reparing and moisturizing effect. The cream consistency is thick and buttery made from avocado, shea butter and coconut oil. It makes my body skin extra hydrated which I love especially in winter season. Easily it became part of my daily routine after my shower and it looks amazing displayed in my new bathroom. Le Labo Basil Shower Gel: Same as the body cream this shower gel is a plant based vegan product. It is made with sesame, rosemary and sunflower oil that acts as an antioxidant. My skin is feeling fresh and soft and smells of fresh basil with citrusy tones of Verbena. Dyson Supersonic: There’s no doubt the Dyson Supersonic is a fantastic hair dryer and honestly I have no idea how I made it before without it. My hair feels softer and looks way better since I start to using it. If you’re someone with challenging hair, or just someone who uses a hair dryer every day the price is worth it! It’s incredibly quiet and dries my hair in less then 10 minutes. The design is slick and modern and it is easy to handle and carry with me when I travel. Kenzo World Eau De Parfume Intense: I love the bottle in the shape of the most recognisable Kenzo eye. It’s a playful and dynamic floral scent which combines peony, jasmine, and radiant ambrosian crystals. It’s the perfect every day perfume! Bvlgari goldea the roman night: The new fragrance from Bvgari is simply amazing. I love the combination of sweet-acid mulberries, intensely fragrant nightmare flowers, tuberose, roses, and exotic black pivonies. The entire composition is layered on a musky, powdered base which gives you powerful feeling. A truly magic perfume which embraces and exalts the senses, dedicated to sensual women in an elegant bottle. Sex on Fire Blusher: Cheek to Chic Blusher | Charlotte Tilbury: Sex on Fire Blush is an amazing make-up product to achieve an healthy and glowy look. The formula is soft and creamy so the application is super easy. My cheeks look healthy and naturally pink – what I like in a blush. It is a soft and super pigmented combination with a luminous finish. Viktor & Rolf – Flowerbomb Bloom’ eau de toilette: This is the perfume I’ve been using the longest so far. It’s a slightly lighter Flowerbomb scent which is perfect for the upcoming spring. Even though the fragrance is quite sweet, it’s not too sickly and after applying the initial sweetness gives way to a slightly musky smell. Another one perfect for every day wearing. I love the design of the bottle which makes a beautiful accessory in my bathroom. Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G in STONED ROSE: I love matte lispticks and this one from Charlotte Tribuny is perfect. It has a beautiful warm coral rose colour plus its long-lasting which are both qualities I adore in a lipstick. It has a super hydrating formula and protects your lips from UV damage and fighting oxidative stress.

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{SHOPPING} 20 CHUNKY SWEATERS I AM LOVING RIGHT NOW

Written by nickyinsideout on December 5, 2017. Posted in 2, Fashion. 9 Comments on {SHOPPING} 20 CHUNKY SWEATERS I AM LOVING RIGHT NOW

Yes! I am guilty of calling myself a fashionista and I do like to follow (almost) all the fashion rules of the season. Veeery guilty! I try the trend, sometimes I embrace it 100%, sometimes it’s not for me and I let it go. The current hot trend of oversized chunky sweaters, sometimes translated in “excessive”, however, is quite the first option for me. There is no scare in the “too big”, when combined correctly, the result will be totally worth it!

Chunky sweaters are one of the current pieces of clothing that are very popular, especially with a playful neckline: off the shoulder, turtle neck, backless.. and the basic formula is the bigger the better!!

The one I am wearing in the picture is from Acne Studios and it’s the most versatile of all the chunky sweaters I even own. I can wear it off the shoulder or with a loose turtle neck layered with a blazer. I can tuck it in jeans for a more casual look or wear it over skinny jeans. Without mentioning how warm it is!! These are the kind of pieces I like to invest in! Like it was the coat I was wearing last week you all loved so much on my Instagram. I should actually wear them together!!

Chunky sweaters are a must for your wardrobe this season as a very comfortable fashion stall that should not be missed in your wardrobe. With falling temperatures, you will surely appreciate it because the biggest advantage is that you will be for sure very warm (much needed in Amsterdam!!).

I like the ‘oversized mood’ because creates a contrast that looks very stylish! It is not difficult to find simple, cozy versions that are extremely comfortable and soft, and above all, stylish. There are so many interesting versions I cannot wait to build an outfit around it.

I have linked 20 outstanding chunky sweaters for you I am loving right now:

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MY MOST-SPECIAL TIME OF THE WEEK! WHAT’S YOURS?

Written by nickyinsideout on December 2, 2017. Posted in 2, Fashion. 12 Comments on MY MOST-SPECIAL TIME OF THE WEEK! WHAT’S YOURS?

Since I am a mom, weekends means family time and this became my favorite part of the week.

My life often seems to be a race against time. I want to do a million things a day but the hours pass by so quickly that I always find myself struggling with things that still have to be done. Spending quality time with my little family is my priority especially when I am so busy with my job.

I am not gonna lie, I do enjoy Monday mornings too.. when Emma goes to daycare and Menno to the office and I can finally enjoy the silence, a good coffee and organise my work week. But those moments I switch off from social media over the weekend and I dedicate myself 100% to my little girl, make me love my job even more!

Simple, timeless, elegant, perfectly round is what Ebel watches are and I fell in love with them. Time is precious and I love my busy week schedule but also spending it slowly at home enjoying every moment over the weekend.

Having a good quality watch at my wrist is essential for me. This is why when it came down to choose I went for a top Swiss quality and luxury design like Ebel, and I picked my favourite design, the Ebel Wave.

During the weekends when I take everything slowly and enjoy time with my family my Ebel watch becomes an amazing accessory and I just love to look down at it! It makes me feel dress up even in my most simple look!

Combination of rose-gold tone and diamonds brings with it elegance and style which make any of my outfit special but at the same time gives me that modern feeling I want. I think it’s the case of the watch, made from stainless steel, which gives that perfect modern feeling. Diamonds and 18K gold crown make it classy at the same time. A dial is galvanized in silver with diamonds with application of Ebel symbol. It’s just the perfect combination for a stunning watch! Because the watch’s bracelet is brushed and polished two-tone stainless steel with closing, it looks elegant and easily combinable with any style you may wish!

Do not forget to watch your time and take it slowly sometimes to enjoy time with yourself and your loved ones!

Created in collaboration with Ebel. Story, styling, creative direction and photography my own.

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