Finding Your Inner Sparkle: How to find your passion & get inspired!

Embrace Boredom 

Contrary to popular belief, boredom can be a catalyst for creativity. Allow yourself to be bored without distractions—put away your phone, turn off the TV, and let your mind wander. It's during these moments of idleness that your brain starts to make unexpected connections, leading to fresh ideas and perspectives.

Change Your Environment 

Sometimes, all you need to jumpstart your creativity is a change of scenery. Take a walk in nature, visit a local art gallery, or simply rearrange your workspace. By exposing yourself to new stimuli, you'll stimulate your brain and invite fresh ideas to flow.

Embrace Failure

Fear of failure can stifle creativity. Embrace the idea that failure is an essential part of the creative process. Give yourself permission to make mistakes and learn from them. Remember, even the most celebrated artists and inventors faced setbacks along the way. Embracing failure as a stepping stone to success will free you from self-imposed limitations and open up new avenues of exploration. 

Collaborate and Brainstorm

Creativity thrives in a collaborative environment. Seek out like-minded individuals or join a creative community where you can bounce ideas off one another. Engaging in brainstorming sessions can spark inspiration and push your creativity to new heights. Remember, two heads are often better than one!

I now I would like you to introduce you to one of my lovely friends called Vera Schröder! She always had the dream to paint and is now making her dream a reality as she got inspired by nature. And I'm very proud of her for doing that!! (If you read this Vera, hi haha) 

A bit more about her! At first she made a lot of realistic paintings, mostly animals, flowers and landscapes, but later on she decided to make abstract art. Abstract art is an expression of feelings, which gives her freedom. Nothing is right or wrong, she just follows her intuition. The art she makes is based on what inspires her, she uses the colors or textures and follows her feelings.

 

Vera works with lots of layers of paint and uses extensive color palettes. Her paintings are made with acrylics on large linen canvases. Vera Schröder creates mostly art series. All canvases in a series are based on a theme. They are all unique and different, but all connected with the theme through color, size and material. Her art is powerful, elegant, pure, energetic and dynamic.

Thanks for reading today's blog post! Don't forget to take a look at her website! It's called veraschroder.com. Have a lovely day!! 😌

My Goals for 2024!

Hello everyone! I hope you had a lovely Christmas and a good start of the new year! I can still remember years ago thinking 2024 sounds already so far into the future aha.. and now it's suddenly here! It's been a while since I have written something on my little corner on the internet here and now that I have a few days of holiday left, I thought why not write something here. Today I would love to share with you my goals for 2024, because I love making goals and having a vision in mind of things I want to accomplish in the future. I'll also write down a few tips on how to achieve them if you find it a bit difficult, so no worries. It really is all about getting the most out of yourself and learning something new. When goals are going to feel like it's something you have to do and they feel like work, it probably will not work anymore. That's usually the case for me! 🙈 So, most importantly, goals shouldn't feel like an obligation. With that in mind, let's get right to it! 

My Top 4 Goals for 2024: 

1. More walks on the beach. I love going for long walks in nature. Can be anything from the forest, to the dunes or the beach. Especially on days when there's no wind you can just hear the waves crash on the sand and it really has a calming and meditative effect. I usually go quite often with a friend who often visits Noordwijk and shares my passion for this (Sanne if you're reading this hi haha!😌). And of course my boyfriend Bjorn is also a lovely +1 for a walk! 🥰
2. Do 10 min daily stretches for splits. For years I've been wanting to do the splits but just haven't had the patience for it to be honest.. But this year I'm going to make it happen. I feel like what's important is that even though you skip a day, it's okay and just continue the next day with your goal if it requires something daily. What matters is that you do something, and eventually you'll create a habit. So even if it starts with 10 min each weekend, you'll slowly get to the daily habit of it if that's your goal, so don't be too hard on yourself. Now that I'm writing this here, in a few months I'll have to provide proof of my progress with a blog post about it. 😉
3. Start sewing clothes as a new hobby. My mother when she was younger used to sew clothes for barbies and pillows and clothes for me. I would love to buy a sewing machine and start to design and experiment with different fabrics. Think I'll start small because I have no experience and have never done it, by making tiny fabrics and clothes for dolls or barbies and from there maybe t-shirts or bigger clothes with more fabric.
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5. Setting boundaries. Setting boundaries isn't always easy and I feel like it's really the foundation of ourselves. If you don't set boundaries, people will walk all over you and at any point in life, no matter how young or old you are, you're still learning and adapting. It's something I want to work on and think it's a beautiful thing to realise: 'this is my boundary and no further.' It can be anything from saying yes to too many work related assignments etc. Say no on time and explain why and people will most often have understanding for it. Be assertive. If you want something ask. If you don't want something, let people know and explain. Easier said than done of course but.. In the end, not setting clear boundaries will lead to not only disappointing others in the long run, but also disappointing yourself! 
   
6. Do something each month I fear. So I really believe that in order to grow you should sometimes step outside of your comfort zone and do things you normally wouldn't necessarily do. So this month I'll have to do a debate for my study. It's part of an oral exam and it's something completely out of my comfort zone. I see it as something challenging but also something that can help me grow because of my fear for it. 

How to Achieve your Goals? 

"If the plan doesn't work, change the plan, not the goal."

This is my favorite quote! I've had many times that I had a goal in mind but, and I was doubting whether this is not a goal or thing for me to accomplish. But.. I learned with time and realised more and more that sometimes it's better to change the way you're aiming to achieve your goal, instead of quitting your goal all together. Think of new strategies and ways you can incorporate and doing a bit of self-reflection why you think it's currently not working. Does it have to do with your lifestyle? Is it too much? Or too little and not pushing yourself enough? 

Also, working on your mindset can maybe really help you with achieving something. I learned that thinking not like your glass is half empty but instead is half full with lead to a more positive outcome and will really help with achieving something. You'll stay motivated longer! Keep in mind that also the journey towards your goal is just as important as the end goal reaching it itself. In life, sometimes we tend to go from achievement to achievement, and that's okay of course. However, life is more than just reaching goals. It's also about enjoying the journey you're on towards reaching it, and realising that you're improving every single day is beautiful in itself. Because that work is done by no one else but YOU!:)   

Should I plan? It's a question that I asked myself and the answer is, it depends I would say. If you're someone who works better by having made a schedule, then definitely go for it. If you goal is to be able to do 50 squats without break by the end of this month, than you can write and make a schedule that gradually increases how many squats you'll do and how often. If you're someone who works better having no schedule and have more flexibility, than you can write down very flexible ranges of how many squats you aim to do this week and the week after etc. 

Set the timeframe you have for your goal and make it realistic. In the end, choose something that's doable and that you can gradually ease into. And don't forget to reward yourself. Depending on how long you have to achieve your goal, reward yourself with something small. 

And I'm reaching the end of this blog post! Thank you very much for reading. I really appreciate your time and hope to see you next time for another blog post. Have a lovely evening!! xx Isabel

Time to shine with Kaya sieraden!

Hallo allemaal! Het is alweer november, de tijd vliegt! November is de maand van mijn verjaardag, de maand van de herfst, de maand van lekker extra binnenzitten vlakbij de open haard met een kopje thee, lekkere warme dekentjes en natuurlijk de maand van het shoppen voor de kerst die eraan zit te komen!! Zelf vind ik november één van de leukste maanden om al deze redenen aha! Oja, ik ben ook net klaar met mijn toetsweek, dus heb ik lekker een paar daagjes vrij van studie. Dat betekent meer tijd voor bloggen en daarom wil ik heel graag met jullie een super leuk sieradenmerk delen. Als je nog op zoek bent naar een leuk cadeau idee en je nieuwsgierig bent geworden, lees dan gauw verder! 

Ik heb van Kayasieraden een paar sieraden mogen ontvangen waar ik super blij mee ben! Kayasieraden is een leuk sieradenmerk dat bekend staat om haar unieke, persoonlijke touch. Dit Nederlandse merk biedt mooie sieraden, variërend tot naamkettingen, schattige armbandjes en speciale ringen. Elk sieraad wordt met zorg ontworpen en gemaakt, en ze zijn perfect om te geven als cadeau of om jezelf mee te verwennen. Wat zelf erg mooi vind aan sieraden is dat het je doet herringen aan een speciale gebeurtenis. Zo heb ik voor mijn 16e verjaardag een hartjesbedeltje van mijn vader gekregen die ik nog steeds draag voor aan een ketting. Ik vind zelf kettingen het leukste om te dragen en ook om cadeau te geven! 

Urban Chic Collectie

Het sieradenmerk heeft een leuke nieuwe collectie, genaamd de urban chic collectie met allerlei stoeren en elegante sieraden, zoals klaversieraden. Het allereerste sierraad dat het ik graag met jullie wil delen is deze ketting. Ik vind met name de kleur wit erg mooi voor de herfst. Omdat het een neutrale kleur is kan je het overal bij dragen en dus makkelijk combineren. Goed om te weten is dat de ketting verstelbaar is en dat het in een ritssluitingstasje komt met een zilveren reinigingsdoekje, klaar om cadeau te geven.;) 

Daarnaast heb ik een bijpassend armbandje gekregen, ook met witte klavers. Want die brengen geluk aha! Vind het super leuk dat ze bijpassend zijn, maar je kan ze natuurlijk ook apart dragen, dat is even leuk. Het armbandje is ook handig dat het verstelbaar is, zo kan je het lang dragen en misschien wel aan je dochter geven later en die weer aan haar dochter, dat het sieraad in de familie blijft. 

Als laatste heb ik een ketting uitgekozen met de letter I erop. Deze ketting met letter vind ik denk ik het leukste sieraad van alle drie omdat het zo persoonlijk is. Ook super leuk om cadeau te geven, juist vanwege dat persoonlijke aspect. Ik denk dat ik dit sieraad lang zal blijven dragen! Het is van zilver dus ook makkelijk net als wit te combineren met je outfits in allerlei kleuren. 

HOE SIERADEN KIEZEN DIE HET BESTE BIJ JOU PASSEN?!

Soms kan het kiezen van sierraden voor een ander nog best lastig zijn. Maar wees gerustgesteld, want er zijn genoeg tips die je misschien op weg kunnen helpen bij het maken van de juiste keuze voor jezelf of voor een ander. Misschien dat je iets aan deze tips hebt! 

1. Persoonlijkheid is de sleutel: Net zoals elke persoon uniek is, zo moet ook jouw juweelkeuze uniek zijn! Ben je een avontuurlijk type? Kies dan voor gedurfde en opvallende stukken die je persoonlijkheid weerspiegelen. Ben je meer een rustig type? Ga dan voor elegante en verfijnde juwelen die je subtiele charme benadrukken.

2. Comfort is koning(in): Laten we eerlijk zijn, wie wil er nu een juweel dat de hele dag aan je huid trekt als een kleverige snoep? Kies juwelen die niet alleen mooi zijn, maar ook comfortabel om te dragen. Je wilt tenslotte vrij kunnen bewegen zonder je zorgen te maken of je oorbel je oor eraf trekt!

3. Kies een kleur: misschien weet je van jezelf of van de ander dat sommige kleuren misschien net wat minder mooi staan. Kijk daarom goed naar of je zilveren of gouden sieraden wil geven en als de sieraden gekleurde stenen hebben, wat je daar mooi aan vindt en of dat goed bij de huidskleur, haarkleur en oogkleur past. Als iemand bijvoorbeeld rood haar heeft, staan kleuren als rood en oranje misschien net wat minder mooi. 

4. Less is more, soms: Hoewel het leuk is om op te vallen, kan het soms ook goed zijn om subtiel te zijn. Een enkelvoudige ketting met een kleine hanger kan een verfijnde touch toevoegen aan je outfit. Eenvoudig betekent niet saai, maar eerder stijlvol en minimalistisch.

5. Regel nummer één: Volg je hart!❤ Uiteindelijk is het belangrijkste dat je van je juwelen houdt en dat ze je een goed gevoel geven. Dus, of je nu kiest voor een sprankelende ring, een glinsterende armband of een paar oorbellen die je laten stralen als een ster, zorg ervoor dat je hart erbij betrokken is!

Dan zit ik alweer aan het einde van de blog! Super leuk dat je een kijkje hebt genomen. Ik hoop dat je het leuk vond en dat ik je gauw weer terug zie op mijn little corner on the internet! 

QUESTION TIME - Was is jouw favoriete sieraad? Let me know in the comments below! Heel fijn weekend gewenst en tot snel! 

3 Things I am grateful for

Today something a bit different on my blog! It's been a few months since I've written a post on here, but I'm back! Nowadays it's so easy to start comparing yourself with others and to overlook the positive things you already have in your life. (I'm guilty..;)) If you recognise yourself doing this, it's okay because it's in human nature to compare yourself to others. However, if you start to feel bad when doing that, then it's good to take a step back and self-reflect in order to not let it get to you. (which is of course easier said than done) 

One thing that could possibly help is to write down a few things each day that you are grateful for. This helps for you to process your thoughts and to focus more on the good, shifting away from the bad which was caused by comparing yourself. You don't have to write whole paragraphs (unless you enjoy writing then definitely do it😉) and otherwise just a few sentences or even words are enough to shift your focus. After a while, let's say a week or a few weeks you slowly get into the habit of it (usually takes 3 weeks to create a routine/stick to a new habit). It's something small to do that can really change your way of thinking. And if you think in a positive way, you'll see that when you look in the mirror too! Below I'll share a few of my things that I'm grateful for. So let's get comfy, grab your tea  or coffee and let's get right to it! 

1. The people in my life 

I'm very thankful for my parents, my lovely boyfriend (if you're reading this hi!;), friends.. grandmother.. It's a really nice feeling to have some people around you that care about you and can say everything to. I can say that these people feel like home to me. 

2. My health 

I'm also grateful for my health. The only thing I'm coping with are my pms symptoms, like restless legs, tiredness, etc. Especially in high school I didn't know how to cope with it. But now luckily with taking magnesium, having a good sleeping routine, picking out foods that help with specific fats etc, and working out it has become a lot less. Now I know that a week before my period I'll probably have less energy so I plan a bit around it if possible to make that week a bit less busy, because I noticed extra stress can increase the symptoms. 

3. Being able to witness growth

Sometimes I don't realise how much I have progressed and grown. It's usually in moments like when I go for a walk and thoughts pop up that I realise for example I handle some things differently like how to cope with failures or mindset or things like that. And I find it beautiful to see that in the people in my life as well! Nobody is perfect, we're all human so seeing a friend progress and growing compared to last year is really nice to see. Because really I believe the people you spend most of your time with influence you as well, even just a tiny bit. So choose wisely who you spend time with and give your energy to. 

We're nearing the end thanks a lot for reading! I hope you enjoyed it and maybe even that it helped you even a tiny bit towards creating a more positive mindset. And remember that having a positive mindset does not equal being happy all the time. It's more the perspective you take in life. I wish you a lovely weekend and will be back soon for another post! 

Question time --> What are you most grateful for? Let me know in the comments below! 

Xoxo Isabella ❤

Don't Get Burned! Top Sunscreen Picks for Summer Skin Protection

Summer is that time of year, full of sunshine, warm weather, and outdoor activities. However, with all the fun in the sun comes the need for sun protection. Sunscreen is essential to protect your skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can cause sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. In this blog post, I will be discussing the best sunscreen brands for summer and the reasons why you should wear sunscreen. Get comfy and get ready for some great picks to stay protected this summer and enjoy it as much as possible!😎

First and foremost, it is important to choose a sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection. This means that the sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays can go deep into your skin and cause long-term damage, while UVB rays are responsible for sunburn. A broad-spectrum sunscreen will protect your skin from both types of UV rays.

NEUTROGENA SUNSCREEN 

One of the best sunscreen brands for summer is Neutrogena. Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen is a popular choice each summer and I have to say so far it' s one of my favorites. This sunscreen provides broad-spectrum protection and has a non-greasy, lightweight feel. It is also water-resistant, making it perfect for a day at the beach or pool! (definitely a must right?!😉) I think I love most the fact that the sunscreen isn't greasy, because my skin is quite oily already.

Another great option is EltaMD. EltaMD’s UV Clear Facial Sunscreen is a favorite among dermatologists and skincare professionals. This sunscreen is oil-free, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic, making it perfect for those with sensitive skin, like me and probably many others! It also contains antioxidants that help to protect the skin from environmental damage.

For those who prefer a natural option, I would recommend Badger Balm. Badger Balm’s Unscented Sunscreen is made with organic, non-GMO ingredients and provides broad-spectrum protection. It is also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and is reef-safe, meaning it is safe for marine life.

It was quite a search to find a sunscreen that wasn't sticky and that I wasn't allergic to aha.. I tried out for example a sunscreen from Nivea which isn't specifically for your face, but it stings quite badly in your eyes when swimming or sweating.. so the Neutrogena sunscreen was a pleasant discovery!!

Now let’s talk about why you should wear sunscreen. As mentioned earlier, UV rays can cause sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. Sunburn can be painful and can cause peeling and blistering. Premature aging can cause wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. Skin cancer is the most serious consequence of UV exposure and can be deadly. By wearing sunscreen, you can help to prevent these negative effects!

In addition to protecting your skin from UV rays, wearing sunscreen can also improve the overall health of your skin. Sun damage can cause inflammation, which can lead to acne, rosacea, and other skin conditions. By wearing sunscreen, you can help to prevent inflammation and keep your skin looking healthy and radiant.

So.. sunscreen is a must-have for summer. So make it your favorite accessory! When choosing a sunscreen, make sure to choose a brand that provides broad-spectrum protection. Neutrogena, EltaMD, and Badger Balm are all good options. Remember to apply sunscreen generously and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating. By wearing sunscreen, you can protect your skin from UV damage and improve the overall health of your skin. You'll thank yourself not only later but now as well;)

Thank you very much for stopping by on my little corner on the internet! I hope you enjoyed today's topic and post! Let me know in the comments below what your favorite sunscreen brand is!

Rome City Trip // Must See, Eat & Do!

I hope you're having a nice weekend so far! I have just arrived back home from a short trip to visit family in Rome and really enjoyed it. After the exam period it was nice having a break before the new period starts tomorrow. Holidays always go by way too fast aha.. But that does make you appreciate everything a lot more. While I was in Rome I have been taking some pictures and thinking of some things I could share with you on my little corner on the internet 😉 regarding must do things in Rome. So let's get comfy with a up of tea or coffee and let's get right to it! 

"Do not follow there where the path may lead. Instead, go where there is no path and leave a trail. "

PANTHEON 

To start, the Pantheon is definitely a place you must visit when you're in Rome! I choose it as a must because it's a special building. It's one of the few buildings of the city that's still fully intact after many many years.. incredible right?! This is all due to the manner in which it is build. What I found quite impressive is the inside brickwork that really shows are skilful the Romans were already at that time. Maybe also fun to know is that it's a temple designed by a son of an emperor, dedicated to holy gods. Also when exiting the temple, I love the view that you have looking a the porch from inside. Definitely worth a photo! If you're planning on visiting the city very soon, then maybe it's good to know that it's still free to enter now, but within a few days they're asking a fee. So make sure to be on time! 

PIAZZA CAVOUR 

This is a very famous square where you can go to the cinema, the theatre and also where the Italian Supreme Court is build. I'm not sure if it's possible for visitors to enter the court, but the square is already nice to walk around a bit. It's definitely worth researching whether you can enter the court to hear a case they make public!

THE VATICAN

If your stay includes a Sunday, I would recommend going to see the pope at 12pm. Even if you're not religious, it's just a memorable experience standing on the square and listening to the speech of the pope from his balcony. Make sure to arrive about half an hour earlier, so you can skip the longer lines at the security and have a good spot as well. 

SHOPPING

And of course shopping can't be forgotten aha! (only if you're into shopping😙) In Rome sometimes you can find those street markets with some handy things, like socks, dresses and many more things that are quite useful and affordable for students like me. It's best to check the markets that are a bit further away from for example major tourist attractions because they're not as good and overpriced as well. Besides the markets a shopping center called Euroma2 I find really nice! It has many shops, like Hollister and H&M, but also Italian brands like Zuiki. Zuiki is a bit similar to the H&M, but than the Italian version of it. I went there and got for example the jumper I'm wearing in the picture, it's really cozy!! On the right you can see the picture with all the colourful coats from an Italian designer brand called Max & Co, it would be my dream to have a coat from there😍!!

FOOD

At a small restaurant called Cantieri you can have a drink, lunch or dinner outside in a small car. I haven't been there yet but it looks really cute with the tiny chairs. For example if you're spending Valentine's Day in Rome and you choose to celebrate the day, it could be really cute going there with your boyfriend or girlfriend. (at least I would love to go there!!🙈) There's also another place called Mister Pizza that we kind of had a family tradition to always go there, as we thought they had the best pizza. But since covid they had to close unfortunately. However, and even better place with pizza and pasta came instead. They have besides the typical Italian snack called suppli also Sicilian snacks like Arrancini, which are the same almost as suppli, but a bit bigger. The place is called Mondo Arrancini. 

OTHER THINGS

1. Out of experience I would not recommend going to Rome in the middle of summer. Usually Italians take holiday during the months of July or August because it's too hot to stay in the city center and go somewhere else to cool off a bit. So the city is with a lot more tourists. It's nice to visit off season, like for example from now until May or June and after September. 
2. If you still want nice weather, usually November is the rainiest month. End of January beginning of February is usually quite sunny and it feels like Spring already. So to catch some vitamin D make sure to avoid November 😉!
3. Some stores have bad or no 4g connection in the centre, so if you rely on your card to pay through your phone, it's useful to always bring your physical card with you just in case there's no connection. 
4. If you're arriving at the Rome Fiumicino airport and don't want to take a taxi, it's very easy to take the Leonardo Express train. It takes you to Termini station right in the city center near all the famous attractions in less than half an hour. Or you can take the Fiumicino airport bus directly to the city center. It might take a little bit longer, but is also quite fast and you arrive in the city center as well. 

Thanks very much for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed it! Leave a comment below what your favorite city so far is that you've visited, would love to know! Have a nice Sunday! 

Short City Trip to Stockholm! // Must Things to Do & See

Hope you're doing well!! It's already a few months ago since I went on a short trip to Stockholm and I loved the city a lot! Initially I wasn't sure what to expect, so I kind of went on the trip not having any expectations at all. It was also my first time going to a Scandinavian country, so that was really fun and eye opening aha! Since I enjoyed it a lot, I thought why not create a short post with some fun things to do and see in Stockholm and to just share my experience with you. Maybe it can be helpful if you're still in doubt about whether to visit Sweden or just to know a bit more about the city and see some pictures! I hope you'll enjoy reading it, get comfy with a cup of tea and let's get right to it! Here are some of my favourite things to do and see in Stockholm. 

     STOCKHOLM OLD TOWN / GAMLA STAN 

The old city center of Stockholm is definitely my favourite part of the city! The old town, also called Gamla Stan is actually the very original centre of the city and comprises of the Stadsholmen island and the Riddarholmen, Strömsborg and Helgeandsholmen. Me and my friend arrived at the train station in the city in the newer part, and you can notice the difference in the ambience when you go more towards the older part of the city. It's really nice!! The architecture there in the old town is from the 17th and 18th century, with very cute tiny streets, those streets with the small round stones (which add to the ambience aha!), and the lovely squares with benches. The old town is full of cafes, restaurants and what I love the most is that the city is surrounded by water. It's really peaceful and you get some fresh air as well! Even though the city is quite big, you don't feel like it is very busy. I think that's because it's quite spacious and due to the water. 

Something that was also very fun that we got to experience actually by accident. We were specifically looking for it. But you know, we didn't know that actually there was a royal guard ceremony at the Royal Palace of Stockholm. Um. And it was like it started around 12:15 PM. In the courtyard, basically it's on weekdays and. Around 1:15 PM on Sundays. And there was like a guard change. And it was very, yeah, it was very fun. They were all dressed, the man guys, world dressed in blue. It's like a small performance. So that was actually really nice. 

There's also a very famous square in Stockholm that I would definitely recommend visiting. You instantly feel like you're scrolling through Google. It's like an iconic landmark and worth the visit and to take some photos as well. It's really colourful and very photogenic. It's nice to go for a stroll there and the Swedish people I find in general quite calm, that adds to the relaxed atmosphere there, despite it being quite crowded at times, mostly in weekends. 

                           GOOD TO KNOW☺

1. As you may know or have heard before, Scandinavia can be quite expensive. Therefore any ways to save up a bit of money are always welcome. One thing you can do is to find for example an airbnb which has a kitchen that you can use. Or if you prefer to meet new people why you travel, and you're a student just like me, than going to a hostel can be a nice and fun experience. The hostel I stayed in was the Archipelago hostel right in the city center, Gamla Stan. Be aware that not each hostel has a kitchen that you can use to cook in. For example, the hostel I stayed in was only for using the fridge to store food or use the microwave to warm up food. So make sure to check that out beforehand. If you can cook yourself than you can cook for a few days in advance, which can save you lots of money instead of having to eat out or buy at a bakery! 
2. Make sure to check out the weather or season of when planning on going to Stockholm. Maybe you're more into the summer weather or warmer weather in general, than going just before the peak/high season in the summer months is the perfect period to plan a visit to the city of water! I went end of April/beginning of May and it was already quite sunny and pleasant. We were really lucky with the weather! Another thing that was something I needed to get used to a bit, was that at 4 am it was already completely light outside aha! 
3. Fun fact: Stockholm is actually built on 14 islands!! That's quite cool and impressive right?! So if you really like water and you want a nice place to relax, then Stockholm is really nice because it's surrounded by water. You can go for a stroll along the canals in nice weather in either Spring or Summer and can enjoy the water as well when sitting along the shoreline on a bench on in the grass having a picnic. 

Thank you very much for readings today's post! I hope you enjoyed it. I find it very fun to write; brings back all the memories! I hope you can make a decision with regards to whether to go to Sweden, or Stockholm specifically. Traveling has always been one of my favourite things to do in life. You learn so much about different cultures and also different environments and about yourself. I feel like I usually return from a trip like a different person and energised, but still like yourself of course. 😉

Estrid Vegan Razor Starter Kit Review

This blog post includes a gifted item. 

Hair removal has kind of always been, just like periods, a bit of a taboo topic I feel like. Razors can be quite costly, but luckily Estrid is a brand that has affordable vegan razors! I feel like it's only since very recently that in the media, magazines, on tv ads etc it's becoming more 'normal' and seen as normal for women to have no shaving days, or to be free in what they prefer! And that's how it always should have been aha! Whether you want to shave your armpits always, or you prefer to do it periodically, it's completely up to you. It's brave in this society to stand up for your beliefs and to try to not let the opinion of others define you! Personally I prefer to shave for example my legs and armpits, as I feel better doing that (and my deodorant works better having no fluff under there 🙈). If you're curious to know more about the brand, let's get comfy and get right to it! 

So Estrid is a brand that's quite affordable and I've seen it many times on Instagram and loved their colourful razors and cute color options. It's great that the razors are cruelty-free and created for women. What's also nice is that the razors are produced without any animal products in the hydrating strips. 

It's possible to buy the starter kit from Estrid for 9.95 euros and you can choose from a range of cute pastel colors that last quite long compared to the regular razors you would buy in a drug store. In each starter kit you can find a steel handle, which comes in the shades matcha, bloom, cloud, space, peach, and lemonade. I picked the color lemonade! I find yellow a really bright and happy color, so suitable for the sunny summer weather currently! Also the steel handle and the wall mount are in lemonade. What I find really useful is the wall mount! You can just easily attach the razor anywhere in your bathroom you want. I find that especially useful because usually I tend to be not very organised aha.. and this helps to just declutter my bathroom a bit and be able to attach it on the wall. 

The delivery is free. If you live in the Netherlands for example, you won't need to pay extra for shipping. And a perk is that it fits through your letterbox, so you won't have to stay home until it arrives or go to a post office to pick it up. On their website they have a subscription service where you can cancel anytime or pause anytime your want. It lets you choose how often you would like to have new blades to replace your old ones. Some options are for example, once a month, or every second month or even every third months. It really depends on how often you shave and whether you prefer to have some back up options at home just in case! And you can also skip a month or change how often you want to receive them anytime. Each package includes four different blades! What's also a nice touch to it, is that you can pick a reusable silicone case protector for when you're traveling abroad or go on a short trip, so it protects your razor. 

It's the first time that I have a razor from Estrid, or even other than the very basic ones from the drugstore and I really like it!! I used the razor today for the first time, and it's really smooth and easy to use. The razor is also very light weight and seems like it's durable as well, as it doesn't stretch easily. In about a month I'll do another update to see whether my opinion is the same, but so far it's very promising! :) Also if you love fashion, these women handbags might be something to check out! Soon more about that! 

Thank you very much for reading today's blog post! I hope you enjoyed it! Let me know in the comments below what vegan brands you've tried out so far?!