Music with Basque Prep: Motivation Playlist

Kaixo!

Welcome to the new series of posts named "Music with Basque Prep"!

Music is like medicine for the soul, and it has helped me feel better through my depression, but specially through my breakup. There are better and worse days, and in those bad ones, music usually helps me lighten up my mood. For that, I will share with you the following playlist:

These are the tunes that I listen to when I'm feeling down. From girl power to catchy beats you cannot not dance to, these are my go-to. Any other suggestions? :)
Love,

- Ane

Nail Polish Essentials

Kaixo!

How is your summer going? I have been going to the beach, to the gym and to help my mom at work, so I have been fairly busy. However, I always take some me-time to pamper myself. In summer, I don't like to wear much makeup, but I pay more attention to my nails. Manicures and pedicures are a little more expensive than in the US here, so I have been doing them by myself. I usually rely on Essie for my nail necessities. There are SO MANY colors and the application is so easy, even for the clumsiest girl in the world (aka le me). Besides, I get a lot of compliments from them. :)
Here are my nail polish essentials:

Clockwise from top left:
- Borrowed & Blue: A light blue shade, perfect for summer! Also, it was one of the featured colors for Lilly for Target!
- Peach Daiquiri: This pink-orange-red color combo looks fabulous for pale girls like me, I swear by it!
- Fiji: If you are looking for the ultimate baby pink, get Fiji. Unlike others, it's not sheer, and a couple of layers are enough, trust me.
- Pansy: Another Lilly for Target pick, I imagine it as the color Barbie (aka my childhood idol/role model/obsession) would wear. A+ for that.
- Merino Cool: Now this color does not look like the usual summer color, and it's not. I usually wear it in the fall. However, for rainy and dull Basque days (again, it rains a lot here), it's a very sleek option.

I also want to make a special mention to another treasure in an Essie bottle:

THE. BEST. EVER. All in one, as in base coat and top coat in one. I bought this to see if it would make a difference in my mani-pedis and oh boy! It has been a game changer. Seriously, at 10$ a bottle, get one. Now. Here.

Which are your favorite nail colors? What other nail care products do you use? Let me know! :)
Love,

- Ane

"Rebajas" haul

Kaixo!

As you all know, I am a Spanish and Basque TA and a linguist. As such, I feel an impending need to correct/teach/enlighten/etc. people about the languages. So now, "rebajas", that weird word from the title, means SALES. Unlike the US, where there are different sales events that are related to holidays like Memorial Day, Thanksgiving (Black Friday), etc., in Spain sales start January 6th and July 1st, sharp like a clock. And that's why my mom and I went out shopping, and oh boy were we successful!

This is a general (very amateurish) pic of what I got:

Clockwise from left:
- Zara top: While not available online yet, this top is a must-have. Very similar to the Saint James tees, Zara offers striped, plain, patterned, etc. combinations for a very reasonable price. I own this one, and the white-navy and navy-white (really, both of them) versions.

- Zara dress: This one is a showstopper. It looks like a traditional shift in the front, but it has this adorable frilly back. Combined with the navy gingham print, I'm sold! (aren't you?)

Styled by Vanity Youth

- Zara ballet flats: With all due respect to the Tory Burch Revas (which I've heard are kinda uncomfortable), Zara flats always make the trick PLUS they are incredibly comfortable and classy as well.

- Massimo Dutti scarf: Another proof of my obsession with navy right at your doorstep. I'll have to wait a little for lower temperatures (we've been boiling lately), but I can't wait to style it for any kind of occasion (I'm thinking of an airport OOTD, mind you).

- Zara black jeans: Black jeans = staple. The ones linked are a little more faded in color, but you can find very similar ones in stores!

- Zara necklace: Excuse me while I clap at it for being so damn pretty. A statement necklace can totally amp up a very neutral look, and for half the price off, it came home with me.

Rebajas just started, so I may end up buying some other things (my wallet is crying brb).

Love,

- Ane

P.S.: Amancio Ortega (the owner of these stores and the richest man of Spain) owes me big time. If Zara had a VIP membership system I'd be in the Top 10.