My Favorite Summer Movies 2018

Who doesn't love a nice summery night with a bunch of friends or family members and a ton of popcorn, junk food and a wide selection of movies to pick from ! 

So here's my selection of movies I enjoyed so far ! 

Life of the Party (2018)

Plot : After her husband abruptly asks for a divorce, a recently divorced middle-aged mother go back to college in order to complete her degree and ends up in the same circle of friends as her daughter. 

Personal Opinion : If you want to have a good laugh and some girl power motivation, and a lot of frat parties; this movie is perfect for a girls night in !

Breaking In (2018)

Plot : A mother (Gabrielle Union) whose weekend getaway with her kids goes awry when a group of men break into their high-tech estate and threaten their lives. 

Personal Opinion : This movies is full of action and Gabrielle Union being the hero of her kids. 

I Feel Pretty (2018)

Plot : A woman struggling with insecurity wakes from a fall believing she's the most beautiful and capable woman on the planet. Her new confidence empowers her to live fearlessly, but what happens when she realizes her appearance never changes ?!

Personal Opinion : Amy SCHUMER is kicking in this movie ! She's teaching us how to all love our bodies, be proud, confident and accept the fact that it's okay to be different.

Adrift (2018)

Plot : This movie is based on a true story, the survival drama of a young couple who set sail across the ocean together but find themselves marooned at sea after an unexpected encounter with a powerful hurricane. 

Personal Opinion : I've always dreamt of sailing across the sea, spending a holiday under the sun in the middle of nowhere. This piece of art is one of my summer favorites, I love everything about it, it's highly emotional. 

Ocean's 8 (2018)

Plot : An all-female team is gathered to pull off a job at the famous Met Gala in New York City where they plan to steal a $100 million necklace with the help of : Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway and Awkwafina's characters. 

Personal Opinion : I've been waiting to watch this movies since I've heard of it, and i have to say I wasn't disappointed ! I love all the characters in it, the girl power and the fun. 

The Incredibles 2 (2018)

Plot : The family that does it all is back ! Mr. Bob Incredible, who must put his superhero alter ego aside so that his wife : Elastigirl, can go on her own exciting exploits. We get to see a stay-at-home-dad struggling with the kids (especially baby Jack-Jack) and a supermom's heroic actions. 

Personal Opinion :  This is the best gift I could get ever, I've waited my whole entire life for this, and I was very pleased and excited for the entire duration of the movie, how can you not love this family !

A Quiet Place (2018)

Plot : If they hear you, they hunt you. 

Personal Opinion : I almost had a heart attack, several times. The story is intriguing and aggressively scary. (P.S : Watch it with someone if you wanna still sleep at night.)

Set It Up (2018)

Plot : Two corporate executive assistants hatch a plan to match-make their two bosses.

Personal Opinion : I personally love any office-related movie, and this was a huge win for me. The acting was fantastic, and the story funny, kind of romantic and very entertaining.

Game Night (2018)

Plot : A group of friends who meet regularly for game nights find themselves entangled in a real-life mystery when the shady brother of one of them is seemingly kidnapped by dangerous gangsters. 

Personal Opinion : I enjoyed every single moment on the movie ! I love the actors in it, the fun-action scenes, EVERYTHING. 

Mamma Mia ! Here We Go Again (2018)

Plot : Five years after the events of Mamma Mia, Sophie learns about her mother's past while being pregnant herself.

Personal Opinion : I haven't got the chance to watch it yet, but who doesn't love a nice musical with Meryl Streep in it ? (Can someone volunteer to watch it with me, please ?)

Enjoy your summer ! 

My 20's Bucket List

Hello everyone ! For this article, I decided to share with you every detail of my bucket list and what pushed me to have one. I know that the title might sound too cliché, but hear me out. I believe with all my soul that setting your goals on paper -loud and clear- helps you achieve them.

It's important to take time, have a real talk with the inner-you and prioritize the things in your life.
When you start to make a list of all the things that you would like to do, you become more aware of what's really important to you. You start spotting the little things that you do daily : the things you would like to change and the things you are missing.

Making a bucket list is going to help you figure out what you value the most. 

We all have made a new year's resolution list at some time of our lives, and I know that most of you out there -just like me- have never gotten far with it :) Thank you procrastination ! 

We all tend to get excited about new beginnings ; whether it's a new year, a new job, moving to another city or even starting a new semester. Real life takes over and we sink, focusing more on our day-to-day goals and less on what make us happy, what drives us and what keeps us going and feeling alive. 

This is where your bucket list steps in. It helps you create a list that can keep you in touch with the goals you have, so you can keep track of them. And once achieved, checking them off is THE best feeling in the world.

These goals don't have to be something monumental or hard to accomplish, it can be as simple as taking a day off to enjoy the wether or going on a hike with your buddies. 

Creating a bucket list can be inspirational and fun to do. You are not obliged to complete every single item on your list. Just try to get as many as possible, because the goal of this is to have fun and live your life to the fullest. 

These experiences, you'll want to remember, because they are going to change you, your personality, your perspective of life and your way of living. 

These are the things that you are supposed to take advantage of, the things you'll want to remember, hold on to and never let go.

This is what's going to change who you are in the most positive way. 

Here's my 20's bucket list : 

 ♥ Learn a new language 

♥ Make a video each month on what I'm happy about

♥ Have the biggest library ever 

♥ Create a blog

♥ Always be aware of what's happening in the world

♥ Take some painting classes 

♥ Never settle for anything less than what I deserve 

♥ Go skydiving and bungee jumping

♥ Never take anything for granted

♥ Join a boxing class

♥ Take care of my health : keep working out + healthy habits 

♥ Listen to more classical music 

♥ Help others and give advice to people who are where you've been 

♥ Take some dance classes 

♥ Volunteer

♥ Be positive no matter what

♥ Speak for what you believe in 

♥ Take part in public speaking competitions more 

♥ Visit all the European cities I've been dreaming of 

♥ Study abroad 

♥ Launch my start up 

♥ Try to make someone happy every day

♥ Travel as often as possible   

♥ Spend a holiday on a yacht

♥ Intern in a big firm in a big city

♥ Eat five fruits or vegetables each day

♥ Got to art shows more often 

♥ Read more books 

Sending you a lot of love and positivity ! xoxo 

My Favorite Summer Perfumes

Every perfume has its own story, it reminds us of a place, a time or a moment that marked us. Our olfactory memory can trigger memories and emotions, it is one of the strongest senses. 

During my small existence in life, I come across thousands of perfumes (Yes, you've guessed right I'm a perfume addict !) but only some of them have enchanted me, pushing me to keep buying them over and over. 

I was fascinated by the creative packaging, and I fell in love with the unique fragrances. 

That's why I have decided to share with you, my favorite perfumes that I use during summer time and what I like about each and every of one them. 

So, If you're out there, wanting to invest in a little enchanted potion, look no more ! 

I've gathered for you the best of the best. And I hope that these little potions would charm you as they did for me.

Jour d'Hermès - Hermès (Eau de Parfum) 

This little beauty is the most feminine and luxurious perfume I have ever tried. Created by the famous Jean-Claude Ellena, it reminds you of the Mediterranean sunshine, the springtime sweetness with a little notes of musk, blossoms jasmine, tuberose, orange, lilly and ylang-ylang. You can feel the sparkles and the radiance in it.

It is available in 50 ml ($108 / 96€), and 125 ml refill ($130 / 124,50€).

Noa - Cacharel (Eau de Toilette) 

This one is very dear to my heart, it reminds me of my childhood and all the peaceful and joyful moments in it. My mom used to wear it ALL THE TIME, it became her perfume and whenever I smell it, I see her laughing and happy enjoying her life. 

It has a floral scent with velvety fruit nuances, it is very subtil. The kind of fragrance that you only smell when you're close to the person but it never fades away, even weeks after. 

It is available in 30 ml (48,99€), 50 ml (70,99€), and 100 ml (98,5€). 

Manifesto - Yves Saint Laurent (Eau de Parfum)

This scent is the definition of seduction and boldness. Perfect for summer nights. It is very sensual and captivating, you can smell the vanilla, caramel, white musk, jasmine and a little bit of grapefruit, peach and cassis. If you wanna be remembered, this one's for you !

It is available in 30 ml (60,50 €), 50 ml (96,99 €), 90 ml(145,50 €). 

Victoria - Victoria's Secret (Eau de Parfum)

 

This is the sweetest perfume I've ever tried. It is very girly, fruity and summery. It is presented as a floral-fruity blend, and you cannot find anything fresher and sexier that this little piece of jewelry. 

It is available in 50 ml ($52), and 100 ml ($68). 

J'adore - Dior (Eau de Parfum) 

AKA the iconic fragrance. This is a must for every perfume addict's collection ! The scent is very sensual without being too heavy. You could easily fall in love with it, it made with a mixture of flowers like, ylang-ylang with a soft exotic touch, damask rose essence and more noble roses. 

It is available in 30 ml (58,99 €), 50 ml (88 €), and 100 ml (127 €).

"No elegance is possible without perfume, it is the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory." - Coco Channel. 

How Volunteering Have Changed My Life

I was a freshman, in my second week of college, when I enrolled in this elite club in my university known as Rotaract. 

   I was young with barely any experience in volunteering except some events organized by my high school from time to time, and once in college I saw all these older students, who seemed to me like the gods of uni, having their life figured out, spreading positivity, talking confidently, discussing big, important and life changing ideas and wanting to improve this world and make it a better place. 

I was so impressed and fascinated that I wanted to be part of that elite team - so desperately. 

   After filling an application form, I was so intrigued by this club that I spent the week before the interview doing researches, trying to learn as much as possible so that I would have a knowledge about the topic and their needs. 

Needless to say, that the interview was a huge win; I impressed them. I spent almost 30 minutes with them, talking about my passion for writing, for social media and everything else. I was even called someone who knows how to talk and convince people and that the club needed me, my energy and my fresh thinking. 

Hearing these words coming from those people that I admired : I was thrilled ! 

    So once in the club I took my role very seriously, attending every meeting, being on time, helping out with all the events, participating in every single activity that has the name of Rotaract on it.

I was living my best life while giving a true meaning to my existence, helping people and creating joy in their lives, made me feel better about myself, more confident in a way. I was fulfilled. And I’ll never forget a Swedish proverb that a member used to say and how clearly it made sense to me :

''A shared joy is a double joy, a shared sorrow is a half sorrow.''

Winter came quickly, bringing with him the biggest event of the year : The humanitarian and medical caravan. 

It was THE event, the one we've been raising funds for, for months, in order to make it happen ; throwing charity galas, collecting money and supplies at supermarkets, organizing karaoke nights, asking people for clothes and contributions on social media and establishing workshops for kids at the malls, explaining to parents the importance of donation - while keeping it classy and professional.

We headed to a small village, in the middle of the snowy mountains while the temperature was at its lowest. Due to some road issues, our bus couldn't come up to the top of the mountain, so we had to carry our bags and walk. We walked in the dark and freezing cold at 3 am in the morning for a long distance, a distance which at the time seemed infinite.

but we kept going keeping in our minds our ultimate goal and with our hearts full of love, joking and laughing all the way up to the summit.

   When we arrived to the summit of the mountain in the early morning, the view was breathtaking and the people of the village greeted us with the biggest bonfire I’ve ever saw and the warmest blankets. Serving us all sorts of local dishes in massive quantities, we were blown away by their generosity and hospitality. They have welcomed us in their homes, sharing with us their story and inspiring us. The joy in their hearts was immeasurable and contagious. 

   I’m still touched by their love for life and simplicity, regardless the fact that they live in harsh conditions with no access to drinkable water and a bitter cold.

So, we tried to make the most out of this trip and leave a real impact. We renewed their local school thanks to the generous donations we brought- painting the walls, replacing the inexistent doors and tables, setting up a small library, planting a garden near the school, finishing the construction of the teacher’s home and bringing more life to it with furniture and decorations, playing with kids and reading to them trying to open their eyes on a bigger and brighter future and most importantly, providing to them access to medicine and free consultations- thanks to the med students who accompanied us, most of the villagers have never set a foot in a hospital due to the distance.

   We were in a magical place where everything was pretty and pure. And I was amazed by the wild nature, the several falls and the huge old trees creating mazes.  

Our trip was a big success, to the point where once the weekend was over, all the local media talked about it and our club couldn’t be prouder.

    In this journey I have met the most amazing, pure-hearted people on earth. People who taught me how to value small things in life, and that we -as a community- had an impact on this world, we -some random college student- are making this world a better place. 

I learned that something as trivial as a smile can brighten someone day. I learned that you don't have to be in class to learn new stuff, that the world out there is your best teacher. And most importantly, I learned that being part of a community empowers you as an individual. 

So to all the amazing people out there reading this article, do good today, try to make an impact. Smile to someone on the streets, help an old lady with her groceries, enroll in a volunteering club because I assure you that helping people and making their life better is the best feeling in the world. Let's give a meaning to our short existence, leaving a trace in this world because it would be the only witness of our existence after us. 

So go out there, do good and be kind !