I've been a bit on and off with my blog recently, so many things have changed in a short period of time and it was completely unexpected.
The last couple of months have been so hard, so beautiful, so time consuming and so rewarding at the same time. A beautiful chaos if you might ask me.

It all started when I asked Nick to take pictures for me at events because :1. I cannot take quality pictures of myself with a DSLR and 2. my time there is so much more enjoyable when I got him around.
This is how pixnkix.com was created.I told Nick 'hey,we are already doing so many things why aren't you opening your own blog where you can write about your own experiences ?'. He did open the blog and obsessively started learning about cameras and Photoshop. He would spend 12 hours in a row looking at tutorials and doing masterclasses.
We started investing in lighting and equipment and his skills were improving quicker than ever expected.When people started to ask for his services we knew for sure. We can turn this into a business.
Ever since, I've been working with Nick Calini on his new photography business.If you need a photographer in Leeds Bradford , feel free to contact him.

What should you know when building your business from 0 ?

It will be time consuming. The beginnings are the hardest and you will have to spend every moment of your free time working for your goals. There's always going to be something to do,something to solve,something to improve.

You will have to invest a lot.You can never be prepared enough when it comes to building a business,there's always going to be unexpected expenses,that's why it's good to have a good amount of savings or if you run out of money, a short term loan such as CashLady.com can be a good solution.Buying equipment can be very pricey,so keep this in mind.

You will need help.One person can't do it all, so if any of your family members can help with the small things, such as writing an email or picking up the phone or who knows, even SEO , then don't refuse them.

Networking is key.'It's not what you know, it's who you know that matters most' . Sounds familiar? I bet it does. You can be the absolute best at what you do and it doesn't matter if people don't know about what you're offering. That's why you have to get out there, and know like minded people who can help you promote what it is that you're doing. Knowing the right people will make your business thrive ,you can find mentors and people that can put you in contact with the ones that want to help you.Literally, your whole life can change over night if you meet the right people.

These are a few of the things that I've learned ever since we started our own photography business.
Tell me, do you have your own business? Do you want to start your own business? What are the struggles that you are facing currently?

You can know more about and my lifestyle.
Post writen in colaboration with CashLady.com

Whenever I think about this recipe I think about celebrations and New Years Eve.

This was one of my favourite starters that my mom has ever made, almost 12 years ago , and ever since it’s been my first option whenever I have to make some starters for a party or I just want a light and tasty snack.

As I said before,it doesn’t matter if you change one ingredient because you will still have a tasty recipe ,so today I will use goats cheese combined with soft cheese, but if you’re not a fan of goats cheese that’s all right, you can remove it from the recipe and only use soft cheese. It’s just as delicious!

INGREDIENTS

(2 PERSONS)

1/2 ORGANIC CUCUMBER

70G GOATS CHEESE

125 G SOFT CHEESE

PANCETTA OR CRISPY BACON

SALT, PEPPER

PREPARATION:

IN A SMALL BOWL PUT THE GOATS CHEESE AND THE CREAM CHEESE AND MIX IT TOGETHER WITH A SPOON OR FORK AND SEASON IT WITH A PINCH OF SALT
CUT THE CUCUMBER INTO 1 CM ROLLS AND PUT THE PIECES ON A PLATE
ADD THE MIX OF GOAT AND SOFT CHEESE ON TOP ON THE CUCUMBERS
CUT THE PANCETTA OR CRISPY BACON INTO TINY PIECES AND ADD THEM ON TOP OF THE CHEESE
SEASON WITH SALT AND PEPPER

ENJOY!

Inspired by Anastasia Beverly Hill’s most well known palette, Modern Renaissance, I created this feminine, sweet ,playful but also dramatic look using mostly Love Letter and Venetian Red as the intense pink shades .
the orange shades from the 10th year anniversary palette from Kat von D combined with the mono eyeshadow burnt from Makeup obsession complimented the final look.
If you want me to film a tutorial to show you how i did this make-up or have any questions leave a comment and I will be happy to respond. You can find the complete list of products used below.

PRODUCTS USED

A while ago, I wrote a blog post about how I take care of my skin during the cold season . Ever since, a lot has changed, and the main thing that has changed is my skin. I will be turning 30 next year -oh my gosh,where did the time fly???- and the fine lines and expression wrinkles are more and more visible, so the products that I used in my twenties, what am I even saying, even the ones that I used one year ago, do not work as well as they used to.So...what did I actually change?

1. Exfoliation and cleansing
I put on my makeup every single day,that's why exfoliating my skin twice per week with a gentle exfoliator is an essential step in my weekly routine.At times I use a facial cleansing brush together with my cleansing gel from Clinique- Liquid Facial Soap to make sure that I remove every trace of makeup .

2.Serum
Years ago I could not find any benefit for a face serum,I would just put on my daily cream and call it a day. Nowadays, after exfoliating or cleansing, I immediately have to use a serum, or I get an instant feeling of tightness of the skin.The serums that I use and like are from Caudalie- Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. This product is so light and it's immediately absorbed by the skin.

3.Hydrating and moisturising cream
Did you know that the first type of skin that gets all wrinkly is actually the dry skin?This is why using a moisturiser at least twice per day is a must! I use a very dense cream Apidermin which contains honey, it is not suitable for every skin type,just for very dry skin.

Occasionally I use face oils like Hip Rose Oil, but only every once and again as I did see sometimes that it can cause mini break outs on my forehead.

So tell me, which products do you use for your daily skincare routine?

What I love about cooking is the diversity, the endless combinations, how a small twist can change the whole flavour and also…there are no rules! You can add or change an ingredient and still get a delicious and healthy meal.
I really want to let everyone know that healthy recipes don’t have to be hard to make and complicated, anyone can do them and I am here to help you with discovering new and delicious meals.
One of my favourite summer salads is the Italian tomato and mozzarella salad, so refreshing and tasty and did I mention, so quick to make? It takes even less than 5 minutes.
You can change the organic ingredients with non-organic ones, but I will always recommend to eat organic food, it’s so much healthier and tastier.
Let’s start!

Ingredients:

1 or 2 slices of gluten free bread

1 mozzarella bufala

1 organic tomato

1 avocado

1 slice of bread

Salt, pepper

Extra virgin Olive oil

3 leaves of basil

Preparation:

1.Start with toasting the bread

2.Slice the tomato and arrange it on a plate

3.Slice the mozzarella and arrange it on top of the tomato slices

4.Cut the basil leaves into tiny pieces and sprinkle them on top of the mozzarella and tomatoes

5.Cut the avocado, slice it and lay on the plate

6.Season all the veggies with a pinch of salt and pepper and drizzle a bit of olive oil

7.Add the toast to the plate

Enjoy!

How often do you travel?
Life always gets in the way, we make plans one day just to see them crumbling the next, things don't always go the way we expect, do they?
Well, no matter how much things get twisted up, I learned one very important lesson: always have fun. You know why? Because no matter how hard things might seem, I always tell myself: This too shall pass. With that in mind, I prioritise going on holiday,no matter what.
Over the last year, I've been on roughly 6 vacations , two of which were so dear to me that I had to visit the same place twice,once just with my partner and the second with my whole family as well.
If you follow me on Instagram( @Luizacalini ) you should already know what I'm talking about....my vacation in Lanzarote !

Lanzarote is located in the Canary Islands , in the Atlantic Ocean.
With high temperatures all year round, this island was our favourite place to travel in December and in March.
That place is absolutely stunning, I always get that feeling of wonder but also a bit frightened when I see the landscape, a similar feeling when visiting Iceland.
For me, Lanzarote is the Yin to Iceland's Yang. Fire and Ice.
With numerous beaches and sand from white to black, I must admit that my favourite one was Papagayo Beach.
A very sheltered beach, with white fine sand and cristal clear water, quiet and with a decent number of tourists, Papagayo Beach is the place to visit when travelling to Lanzarote.Just be aware that you will need to pay a tax to get there and the road is in works,so quite bumpy.

The swimming suit that I have used there is from Hunkemoller.I love the blue-electric kind of colour.You can find the top here: https://www.hunkemoller.co.uk/uk_en/47-crop-game-bikini-crop-top-blue-150107.html and the bottoms here: https://www.hunkemoller.co.uk/uk_en/47-crop-game-low-cheeky-bikini-bottoms-blue-150108.html
Have you ever been to Lanzarote?

Many people dream of their wedding day their whole lives… the flowers, the venue but most importantly, the dress.

Although the whole planning process is exciting, it can also be overwhelming. Especially when it comes down to the dress… because let’s face it, it’s what everyone’s looking at.

One way to kick off your wedding dress shopping is to get a good idea of all the wedding dress styles out there.

There is plenty of information out there about the different styles that suit certain body shapes. You can, therefore, narrow your search down a lot by knowing which styles and features are likely to compliment your shape and make you feel a million dollars.

When you’re doing some fun research of wedding dress styles, it is a good idea to look at how styles have changed over the years. You may be someone that loves the vintage look, so may fall in love with a style from the 1980s. On the other hand, you may be a lover of all things modern and benefit from looking at more recent wedding dress styles.

For many, finding the perfect wedding dress doesn’t always go to plan. Why not buy a dress and then alter it to suit your shape and personal style. The Alterations Boutique in Manchester specialise in offering a range of wedding dress alterations. If you have a dream dress in mind, there is no doubt they will be able to materialise it. They offer a complimentary initial consultation and free fitting services, so you don’t have to spend a penny until you know how you want your dress to be transformed.

To give you a helping hand with figuring out what style of dress you like and send you on your way to hitting the wedding dress shops, let’s take a look at wedding dress styles over the years.

Let’s go way back…

1900s

The 1900s wedding dresses were extravagant, however in more reserved ways. They mostly featured high necks and frills… lots of them. The high necks were complimented by large puffy sleeves known as Gigot sleeves. Showing some skin on your big day in the 1900s just simply wasn’t done. They still look beautiful though! It’s practically impossible for a bride not to look perfect, no matter what dress she chooses. So don’t fret too much.

Although the high neck-look and puffy sleeves together might not be something that a bride would choose to wear today. You could incorporate some of the incredible lace detailing and embellishment to add a dainty touch to an otherwise modern dress.

1920s

The 1920s, otherwise known as the Jazz Age, showed a shift to less fitted dresses. They often had no shape whatsoever, known as ‘swing’ style. The focus of wedding dresses in the 20s seemed to be on the embellishment and headpieces.

In contrast to the 1900s dresses, the necklines and waistlines were a lot lower. They were covered all over with beautifully patterned beads and embroidery. If you have a dress already but love the look of the detailed embellishment, you can always use an alteration service like Alterations Boutique Manchester to add it on.

1940s

Wartime wedding dress styles were understandably pretty understated. The dresses and veils were largely made from simple and cheap fabrics. Some brides even had to get creative with fabrics they already owned, such as lace curtains, to add to their look. Fun fact: it was around this time that male wedding rings became popular, to connect loved ones when they were apart during wartime.
During the 40s, the emphasis seemed to be more on the wedding experience rather than the dress, and rightly so. It was not often people were all together and able to let loose, so weddings presented people with the perfect excuse to do just that!

If
you don’t take any wedding dress inspiration from the 1940s period, take their mindset. Having a beautiful dress is important yet, but making sure your day is enjoyable should be the priority.

1950s

Wedding dress styles to keep in mind for this period involved sweetheart necklines, ballerina skirts and gloves. Gloves tend not to be popular for brides today, but if your dress is simple, they are a great way to add some drama!

Shorter hemlines rose in popularity in this period and as a result, wedding shoes became more of a focus. If you’re one of the many gals out there with a passion for shoes, a 50s-esque dress may be the answer!

One aspect of 1950s wedding dress styles that is still often seen on aisles today is the sweetheart neckline. This was popularised by Grace Kelly at the time and became the really only seen neckline in that period! It is a super flattering neckline without revealing too much. You could incorporate this neckline into your dress with a more modern twist by making it strapless.

1980s

Fast forward to the 80s and there is almost a complete reversal in terms of wedding dress styles. 1980s dresses were very traditional looking, long, frilly, lacy and downright extravagant. Princess Diana’s famous dress showcases the trends of this era perfectly. The huge sleeves, long train and veil… such a statement!

If you are one of those people who certainly isn’t shy of the limelight, why not transform your dress into something similar? You could add a long train or veil to an otherwise simple dress to emanate some Princess Diana vibes on your big day.
As you can hopefully see by now, the opportunities to incorporate prominent features from wedding dress styles from over the years are endless!

'It's the most wonderful time of the year'-I find myself with this song stuck in my head, repeating over and over again.I really hope that you are just as excited as I am for this period of the year.

With Christmas just around the corner, Moonpig invited me for a fun filled day at Revolution,Electric Press ,in Leeds City Centre,to celebrate Christmas together .

Welcomed with mulled wine and warm smiles, Moonpig put our creativity to the test for activities such as : drawing on our own tote bags, making our own cocktails, making Christmas wreaths and creating our personalised photo cards.We even met Santa!
I was so happy to see known faces but also to meet new ones, I feel that the lovely ladies that organised this event did the best job at bringing the blogger community together.
We even made our very own personalised Christmas Cards on the Moonpig website, which I received in a couple of days and it looks fab!
I gave my Christmas Card to my mom ,and she was so happy as I will be far away from her this year,but I will meet her again in late January.My Christmas card included the lovely Mr. Luke and Emma.

It was such an interactive day, I had the best time,I think that you can see that from the pictures,thank you for inviting me ! :)

For me ,Christmas is the time to be grateful for all that I have, to be more forgiving and selfless and to help more the ones in need.

All the photos are taken by Matt at the Moonpig #MerrierTogether event.

You can also find here a post about Christmas presents without breaking the budget: https://www.cupcakesplendens.com/2018/12/christmas-presents-without-breaking.html

How's it going with the Christmas preparations? Did you manage to buy your loved ones prezzies?

I've been to Leeds City Centre today to do some Christmas shopping and let me tell you, I'm not sure that you want to be there in the weekends. Don't get me wrong, I love the Christmas Spirit and the way that the stores look, all festive with sparkly lights and huge bulbs in the windows, but in the weekend the city gets sooo overcrowded that I felt a bit overwhelmed. There were actually stores that I have avoided because you just couldn't move. I remember arriving in Leeds at 11 am and the car park was half empty and by 2 pm there were cars parked everywhere and drivers struggling to find a spot.

Times like this makes me want to stick to my online shopping but I also find myself going in store to try beauty products for example and afterwards ordering them online because I might find really good discounts that I couldn't have found in store.Also, the variety of products is so much bigger online and if you are lucky you might get free shipping as well with a small discount.

So, talking about Christmas presents, I was searching for some presents for my niece and for my nephew.
Don't you feel that in general it's easier to buy presents for your girl friends rather than for your mates?Or is this just a thing of mine?
On the same page, it's so much easier for me to find presents for my niece because I just start thinking about things that I would have loved to receive as a little kid. I've always been fascinated with anything make up related, so I know that a small make up kit for little ladies would do; teddy bears, colouring books, all sorts of toys and loads of sweets.
I even loved puzzles, that's what I used to receive almost every Christmas and my favourite one was the one with Cinderella when losing her shoe on the palace's stairs while running to her pumpkin carriage because it was almost midnight.
The thing that I was in awe with every time, was when I used to receive dolls, you can never go wrong with that as a present.My most loved one was a princess Barbie doll, that had some charms as accessories that were changing colour when the temperature was too high or low.Cool,right? It was for me in early 2000's.

Whenever I'm on the look for a bargain present I also look on sites such as https://www.latestdeals.co.uk/tags/doll , where I can find presents for all my family.

Tell me,what would you like to receive for Christmas?

The first time that I have tried gin was actually quite recently, more exactly one year ago. I quickly got the taste of it ,I felt that it was a bit similar to vodka.
When Ellie, from MacComms, told me that she will organise this exclusive event to celebrate the new Gin Club Menu for Victoria Gates Casino and she invited me and Nick, I didn't even wait for a minute to answer the email,it was a big yes from us.

I arrived there not knowing a thing about gin, but that was about to change very soon.

For example,I had no idea that gin was made with juniper seeds. Also,one of my favourite stories was about the first vending machine invented,that was giving the Londoners... gin!
Because of the Gin Act in 1736, which pretty much prohibited the sale of gin, people had to be creative. Shaped as a cat, the Puss and Mew machine, had a pipe under a paw and whenever someone wanted to buy gin,if the seller had some to sell, he would say 'Mew' .This is when the buyer put a coin in the mouth of the cat, and gin would come out of its pawn.

At the event, we tried 4 types of gin paired with 4 different tonics,but firstly we tried plain gin, with a couple of ice cubes.
It surprised me how much of a difference can one tonic make and how nicely it can compliment the gin flavour.

We had such a great night out and enjoyed the company of the people present at the event.Ever since, I found myself ordering gin& tonic when going out with my friends.
It's worth checking out Victoria Gates Casino's new gin menu,which includes 19 flavours of gin.

Tell me, do you like gin? What's your favourite combo? :)