Cosmos&Lipstick: February 2016

Because reading is fundamental!

I’ve always been a nerd when it comes to reading books. Hell, I even created my own book (folded up tons of paper and glued a self-made cover on the front) by the age of five! I was determined to become the best writer of all times… until I found out that there is no such thing as pink unicorns covered in purple glitter, who love to run over rainbows on hot summer days (or is there?).

Where I got all these crazy and colorful ideas from you might ask, from all the books I was reading back then. There is just something about reading. It takes you places, it makes you feel things, it makes you think and contemplate about life. The stories, the memories, the fantasies… stepping out of your own life, becoming somebody else for a moment. It’s a rush I can’t explain.

If you’re not into books at all, you wouldn’t understand the feeling a book can give you when you open it up for the first time.

That sound a fresh page makes when you turn it over… the chills that come over your skin when reading the next chapter. The fact that you can’t put your book down when you’re so into the story. Being able to feel what the main character is feeling and experiencing… I’m getting carried away, by just thinking about it.

"Let me stay on topic"

Now 20 years, 2 American library cards and 3 missing Dutch library cards later, my book addiction has become something that I have learned to live with. As soon as you enter my house, you’ll be greeted by two big brown bookshelves.

Out of capacity!

Next to spending money on stuff like Chanel bags, Louboutins, dinner dates with my girlfriends, trips to fabulous destinations, my company and delicious bottles of wine… books are a major part of my “spending pie”.

From a signed copy of Kat Von D’s "The Tattoo Chronicles" (She is so sweet! And also promised to work on my next tattoo the next time I hit LA), to a signed copy of Nigel Barker’s “Beauty Equation:Revealing a Better and More Beautiful You”

(This man is too fine in real life!) and another signed copy of former president Bill Clinton’s “Giving: Howeach of us can change the world” (the coolest president AFTER Obama!), to all of Lauren Weisberger’s books (The Devil Wears Prada,

Last Night at Chateau Marmot, Everyone worth Knowing, Chasing Harry Winston… you name it, I have them ALL),

"Books from today’s top authors, urban books, and even a little erotica.

No shame in my reading game!"

But due to the fact that I had a lot going in on during the past months, I had to get my nose

out of the books and face life… not that it was a bad thing, but still.

I missed running home to a good book and a glass of wine, after a long day of classes and PR-related business.

All of that was traded in for hours behind the laptop and numerous (international) Skype calls.

There is nothing wrong with taking some time off of reading, but when you seriously start having major withdrawal symptoms, which include running around the house in your La Perla lingerie, looking for that one book which had some great business quotes that you want to use as motivation on your social media accounts…

it’s a sign that you have to regain your composure, put some clothes on and take some time to breath.

So after my mini crisis of looking for that particular book, I decided to MAKE TIME to start reading again.

One of the happiest moments (so far) in my life.

I started re-reading #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso at the beginning of the year and I haven’t been able to put it down!

(I wasn’t really focused the first time I read it)

There are a couple of books that I have added to my reading list, which I want to finish before summer ’16.

Sophia Amoruso - #GirlBoss

Lena Dunham - Not That Kind of Girl

Lala Anthony - The Power Playbook

If you follow the Cosmos&Lipstick social media channels, you will know that I have started the hashtag #WatchaReadingWednesday. I’m the type of woman who likes to share whatever it is that I’m reading on and off-line.

I mean it’s fun to talk about reality shows and other things that keeps us talking, but I think that a good book can be as entertaining as well. I am therefore dedicating the Wednesday’s on the blog to books, magazines and other online articles that I think are interesting.

I hope that I was able to inspire some of you to embark on this literary journey with me.

Let’s explore more of what is going on out there. As long as books exist, you should never be bored!

Quote of the day: Nothing is more beautiful than a beautiful

woman with an equally beautiful and smart mind.

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featured - 12:46:00 PM

“WatchaReading?”

Because reading is fundamental! I’ve always been a nerd when it comes to reading books. Hell, I even created my own book (folded up to...

This is going to be an amazing year!

January 1^st, the day that a lot of use took the time to reflect on whatever it was that happened last year. We make a bunch of lists and try to make this year, a perfect year. At first we have no problems trying to stick to them. Going to the gym? Check! Trying to wake up early so you can FINALLY have breakfast? Check! Quit smoking? Check! Cutting back on alcohol? ... Water, please!

Everything sounds so good. You talk yourself into believing whatever it is that is on those lists. The first week goes by, you feel fantastic and nothing or nobody can stop you from reaching your goals. The second week goes by, and you got the hang of whatever it is that is going on. Go on girl!

The third week is a piece of cake…. then comes the end of the month.

There are a few people on the planet, who can actually stick to their new years resolutions and create an awesome year for themselves.

Me? I used to be a hot mess. (Notice how I wrote USED TO BE.)

"YOU THOUGHT THAT I WAS ABOUT TO

BREAK IT DOWN INTO SOMETHING NEGATIVE?"

Nope! Everything is still crystal clear.

For the past few weeks, I have been doing everything worth keeping my peace with the things that I had in mind. And believe it or not, I feel great! Studies have also shown that it takes approximately 21 days to break / get used to a new habit. I’ve survived the month of January, so I guess I’m in the clear!

I should have started this journey way before January 1^st 2016. I’m totally ready for whatever February has to offer!

As for blogging and my brand, It took a while to come to a conclusion that I had to just go for what I wanted. It’s usually not that difficult for me, but this time I wanted to take a look from the “outside”. How does my brand affect others? Am I and my brand enough for what people want and expect? Are they going to support the changes? So many questions, and yet I kept myself a little bit on the down low to try and observe others.

So, dear ladies, this one is for you. It took me while to figure it out, but I am EXACTLY where I am supposed to be.

"THIS BRAND NEW JOURNEY IS GOING TO BE AN AWESOME ONE".

There are A LOT of throwbacks alongside fun projects, new additions to the blog

(#BlackGirlMagic & #WatchaReadingWednesday to name a few) and events coming your way. From a couple of fashions shows by one of Holland’s top leading African fashion and designer labels: Lady Africa, to my visits to the well known Mercedes-BenzFashion Week Amsterdam, my participation as a guest of Sheado’s Talk show, which took place last summer during the Kwaku Festival, the fact that I had an editorial job with brand new Hague Magazine,

launched by Dutch designers Allan Vos and Michelangelo Winklaar, three fabulous days of Saloné della Moda

and SO MUCH MORE!

So as you can see, 2015 was a really busy BUT great year. Business wise as well. A couple of collaborations came up and I surely took the opportunity to spread some Cosmos&Lipstick glitter all over the world. From New York to the United Kingdom to Africa, I’m taking baby-steps to world domination *cue evil laugh *

As for now, I’m going to take a much-needed break from my laptop and enjoy some “old skool” magazine reading. Another thing that I’ve picked right back up. Nothing beats the relaxation of reading some fun articles, accompanied by a fruity red.

Make sure to stay on the look out for some great throwbacks in the coming days!