Easy Cinnamon Bun recipe | Baking like a wannabe-pro

Baking has never really been my strong point - I have the lack of intuition that makes the difference between a newbie and a seasoned pro. And without fail there is something in the recipe I missread or I'm oblivious to steps that maybe to the writer who has perfected and made said recipe a million times seem self-explanatory. Long story short, whenever my deserts turn out close to how they should it's a real success, one I cannot not share.

Best of | H&M beauty

It's taken me a solid year to find out that H&M had launched a new and very trendy beauty line, which frankly doesn't surprise me since I usually triple-check even my drugstore beauty purchases. Long story short, you wouldn't catch me dead buying anything else other than nail polish from "mothership brands" (aka brands that technically specialise in one think but then release a myriad of other stuff). I think it was a video of Tati's, also known as GlamLifeGuru on Youtube, that actually brought this line to my attention and it has been there ever since, so much so that I took the dive into the unknown and emerged 30 euros lighter.

Summer makeup haul

So...this happened. Oops!

I finished exams on Wednesday and naturally had to celebrate through retail therapy. I was actually very good, taking into consideration the fact that I left Zara without buying anything. Scroll down to see what I bought and reviews as well ^.^

#TBT

Where do I begin? It seems like starting with an apology would be too little too late but nonetheless I'll get it out of the way, I'm sorry I haven't written since September of-last-year. I'll be realistic, few of my readers will really mind but I'm apologising to my past self, I've let her down on this one.

But you know how it goes, new year new you. One of my resolutions this year is to keep my blog up because it's my own little space and I love looking back on my attempts at photography, memories and hilarious posing. I hope you do too.

2016 sounds like a whirlwind and I don't think there's any way in which I can prep myself for it other than have absolutely no expectations at all. Will I manage to get a first in my exams? Will I find a summer job? Will I like my year abroad? Will the French like me (lol)? Where will I travel? Who will I meet along the way? Who will be my friends throughout? For anyone who knows me, I'm a total control freak, even if I do try to disguise it, and not knowing where my life is going is kinda keeping me up at night but at the same time I really can't let that get to me because I will turn grey in a matter of months - yes yes I found a grey hair and it's made me freak out...

What's not so scary is looking at the past because what's done is done and doesn't that sound comforting amidst a sea of uncertainty? Sorry, I'll stop using rhetorical questions now. This one's to 2015, to a strange but beautiful year...

I'm stuck

I don't think I've ever done 'chatty' blog posts on here yet, I don't quite know why. It might be because I want this blog to be all about the nice things in my life, the happy memories, the photos that inspire me and I hope you as well. Yup, you've guessed it, I'm a perfectionist and letting people down would be my greatest unhappiness (extra extra points for whoever gets that movie reference).

This blog post will be a tad different, bear with me, since I spontaneously decided to share my experiences with anxiety and where I'm currently at.

Recipe | Peach Clafoutis

The easiest French fruit tart recipe you will ever try! From blender to oven to your fork (desert fork that is, obviously)

Review | L'occitane Collection de Grasse Neroli & Orchidée

This is summer's most prized find. I cannot imagine life pre Néroli & Orchidée. I cannot even imagine a day when I won't be wearing it. Bottom line, this is THE perfume.

Out of office!

Bags are packed! Actually, by the time this goes up I'll be recovering from jetlag. Weeeelll, maybe I'm exaggerating, I don't even know if there's much of a time difference... we'll live, we'll see, we'll learn.

Caesar eat your heart out.

Anyway, this is the happy time of year, when I live mostly outdoors, sun shining, plenty of freshly squeezed fruit juices, crystal clear waters, in short, paradise. I'm a sucker for maps - I collect them from each place I liked. I also like to think the post survives because of my postcard sending to my friends...I'll be sponsored by the Royal Mail any day now.

This year I'm upping my own game with the Infinity Metallic Tattoos with Romanian ethnic motifs. I can't wait to share them and so much more (think volcano hike vues, bikini for days and lots and lots of food) on my Instagram account which you can find at ana.persinaru :)

Ghost Town | Editorial

I'm trying my hand at an editorial, don't laugh just yet.

On my recent escape in the Carpathian mountains, I was welcomed by rain and fog and yet more rain. When life gives you lemons... you learn to like lemons. Just like I learned to go with the weather and make it work. I was really happy with the results - I wanted to show the adandoned spaces, that merge with the nature around it. Not quite sure which suffocates which but whilst you would say, on first glance, there's more negative space than not, I care to differ. Negative space can be oppressive too, especially when there's something missing from the past like a torn down building. 

I'm going off a tangent, just scroll down, macro to landscape, and try to feel spaces :)

Disclaimer: If you can't tell, I'm in a very artsy mood

Midi skirts have stolen my heart

Zara is, as always, stealing the show. This understated but oh-so-chic denim midi skirt is my newest find and honestly, I can't wait to style it for every season. With sandals for summer, ankle boots for autumn, knee-highs for winter and flats for spring - you name it, this skirt will go with it.

Easy to see why I love it so much. 

Superhero series | Haircare products that changed my life

Cue emotional Ludovico Einaudi song that plays in the background of every tear-wrenching ad, a year ago I was 'diagnosed', shall we say, with mild psoriasis which, happy days, was mainly on my scalp. Combined with split ends, it was not my best year in terms of hair health. Fear not, I found the holy grail of products and now after extensive review-ing I'm about to gush about them.

Summer dressing

There's nothing easier than throwing a pretty dress on and going out to enjoy the sun.

Ideal breakfast for a long day ahead

When you're about to drive for 12 hours from Bucharest to Budapest and you hit the road at 8 am, you might want to make breakfast time count!

Try | RawCoco Bucharest

I tried the first raw vegan sweet shop in Romania. Verdict : an interesting experience and some food for thought.

About | BRD Bucharest Open

Game, set, match!

'Eat Clean' challenge | day 6

Oh my goodness, this is heaven!

'Eat Clean' challenge | day 5

What a start to the day this was!

Varsity May Ball fashion shoot

Cambridge is known for the hard work but few keep in mind we also like to party proportionatelly. The epitome of that are May Balls when long dresses are the norm. Here is the editorial shoot for June's edition of the Varsity, photographed by Johannes Hjorth and directed by Meg Honigmann in the beautiful Old Library of St. John's College. 

'Eat Clean' office challenge | day 4

I was tempted to put an 'almost' before the clean bit of the challenge. This was a little bit of a cheat but still technically kept to the brief of the mission.

Behold, banana pancakes. To be read as banana mush pancakes. I have to say I added too much vegetable milk and it was a little on the soft side but nothing that I can't adjust for next time. Have the pancakes and none of the guilt is how I try to live my life :)

'Eat Clean' office challenge | day 3

Today was all about vegan - I took my inspiration from Pauline's instagram and her blog, livingthehealthychoice.com, because frankly the receipe looked delicious and easy to make. I was not let down!