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5 Tips for Slow Living in London | Wellbeing

Tips for Slow Living5 Tips for Slow Living in London

Last year I wrote an article discussing the art of slow living and whether it was possible to do whilst living in a busy city such as London. I talked about the difficulties involved, but also the importance of wellbeing. I simultaneously ran a poll on my Instagram, asking my followers whether they thought it was possible. Most people believed it wasn’t, and as optimistic as I am, I can understand why. So I decided to update my slow living series, and bring you all some tips for slow living in London, because I do honestly believe there is the possibility for us all to bring a little bit of calm and wellbeing to our everyday lives.

5 Tips for Slow Living in London

  • Make time for your mental wellbeing
    • Living in London, a city full of opportunities, it can be easy to just say yes to everything. And before you know it your calendar is heaving with social activities. But it’s important to realise when you can, and should, say no.
  • Turn your phone off/say goodbye to social
    • Social media and messaging apps can cause a lot of stress, whether it’s intentional or not. Try putting aside a few hours everyday, where you switch your phone off, and put your laptop down.
  • Less is more
    • Visiting new restaurant openings, or buying the latest on-trend items can be tempting in a city like London. But it’s not always rewarding. Try doing/buying less, and focusing more on the quality of the experience or item. It will help you appreciate it more, and it will save you some money along the way too.
  • Make more of your evenings 
    • Working 9-5 can be draining, and a lot of people cherish their free time in the evening, so why not make more of it? Light some candles, put your favourite music on, have a bath, make a meal from scratch. All little things that when put together can be incredibly satisfying and relaxing.
  • Don’t compare yourself to others
    • One big underlying problem in most people’s lives is the fear of missing out, or the idea that someone else has a better life than you do. It’s important not to compare yourself to others. After all, the grass isn’t always greener, and the world isn’t going to end if you don’t attend a social event.

If you have any tips of your own, feel free to leave them in the comments.
If you enjoyed my tips for slow living in London, check out more of my wellbeing articles here.

 

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Where to Shop in Amsterdam – A Travel Guide

shop in amsterdamWhere to Shop in Amsterdam – A Travel Guide

We all have our own aesthetic, from the clothing we wear, to how we decorate our homes. Of course this influences where we shop too. I prefer independent boutiques with a minimalist lean, but it can be tough finding them even in London. And when I go away on holiday it’s no different. So I do my research. I look for the kind of stores I want to shop in, and the souvenirs I want to bring home. With this and my recent trip holiday in mind, I decided to do a ‘where to shop in Amsterdam’ guide. From style, to homeware, art, beauty and stationary, let me help you discover…

Where to Shop in Amsterdam

X BANK | map
X Bank is a boutique for emerging and established talent in Dutch art, fashion and design. The store itself is housed within the W Hotel in central Amsterdam, and is a work of art within itself. No seriously, it looks like a gallery. But don’t be afraid to touch or try on the clothes and accessories as the staff are friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful.

Tenue de Nîmes | map
Wanna shop where all the cool kids shop? Tenue de Nîmes it is. They may be known for their vast selection of Japanese and American denim, but there’s a lot more to TDN. Founded on the basic principles of quality, function and simplicity, the stores (plural) stock brands such as Acne, A.P.C, Edwin, Japan Blue, Le Bonnet, and Momotaro amongst others.

Anna & Nina | map
Filled to the brim with trinkets galore, Anna & Nina’s stores are a must-visit for any colourful, fun interior/style fanatic. Colour coordinated homeware lines the shelves alongside Scandinavian fashion brands such as Ganni.

Hutspot | map
If you’re a fan of minimalist interiors and Scandinavian fashion, then it’s highly likely you’ve come across Hutspot. Perhaps you’ve seen them on Instagram, or you’ve passed by one of their numerous stores in Amsterdam. Hutspot is the place to pick up an über cool souvenir.

De Bijenkorf | map
Clothes, stationary, homeware, beauty…you name it, De Bijenkorf has it. You’ll only find the best of the best here, which is why the department store is so well known for it’s designer brands. Located over 4 floors, you can easily spend a lot of time – and money – here.

Comme des Garçons Pocket | map
One of my personal favourites is this little gem. Comme des Garçon Pocket may be small, but it sure packs a punch. The store is minimal to say the least, as it only sells clothing and accessories from the limited CDG Play line. And yes, they have those Converse.

&Klevering | map
Last but definitely not least, is &Klevering. This Dutch store knows their homeware brands like the back of their hand. That’s not to say they only carry Dutch brands though; you’ll find Japanese favourites such as Kinto alongside Scandi must-haves like HAY (and much more).

I hope you enjoyed my Where to Shop in Amsterdam guide.
Whilst you’re here, why not check out my other Amsterdam travel guides too.
Header image: Tim Goedhart

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The Line Drawing Trend | Style & Interior

line drawing

The end of 2017 saw line drawing become popular in a big way. It started with art prints, but quickly moved onto shirts, jewellery and more. From there the style slowly began to infiltrate the world of Instagram, as all the greats have done. Before we knew it, Instagrammers alike were sporting those Mango earrings – which I love by the way – whilst simultaneously illustrating their Stories with chic line drawings. And we all know that once something has made it big on Instagram, we’ll be damned if we can’t turn it into a mainstream trend.

Drawing the line…

Joking aside, line drawing has quickly become a trend with creative folks and the mainstream alike. It’s simplicity fits in perfectly with the minimalist crowd, whilst also appealing to something bolder. It’s no surprise that such a versatile trend has made it big in both the fashion and interior design industries.

I myself have fallen for it numerous time, as is made evident by my Christmas and birthday wishlists. In fact I love it so much that I decided to write a whole blog post on it. I even plan to spread the love further by showing you how you can bring a piece of the trend to your wardrobe, and or home.

Add a bit of line drawing to your life

I’ve chosen some of my favourite pieces by independent stores, artists and brands below, for both the home and your personal style.

Style

Home interior

See, it really is quite easy to bring a little bit of line drawing into your life. Perhaps it’s a one-off sweater, or maybe you’re more of a quirky vase kinda person. Whatever takes your fancy, you can be sure that you’ll be on-trend and looking pretty damn stylish whilst you do it.

Whilst you’re here, why not check out more of my home and style posts.
Source: 1

line drawing

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Goodbye 2017, I’ll kinda miss you…

Goodbye 2017Goodbye 2017, I’ll kinda miss you…

The end of the year often brings about self-reflection. Whereas it’s something a lot of us have in common, the ‘reflecting’ part naturally differs from person to person. I think self-reflection is important for personal growth, but I try not to do it too often. So instead of making resolutions at the end of the year, I prefer to reflect on what’s been.

Goodbye 2017

The end of 2017 wasn’t the best for me or my family, but in many ways I guess it put me in a better position to think a bit about how I’ve grown over the past year, and what I’ve accomplished. You see there might have been a lot of bad things happening in 2017, both internationally and closer to home, and it can be really tough to try and focus on – let alone remember – the good stuff going on. So in an attempt to try and be more positive, I did my best to focus on the ‘good stuff’.

What did I accomplish in 2017?

When I looked back at my year and started really thinking about how I’ve grown, and where I am now, I realised that amongst the rubbish stuff, a whole lot of good things did happen. I actually accomplished a lot, both personally and with my friends and family. It was the year I…

Some accomplishments were bigger than others, and some will continue on in to 2018 (hello, wedding planning hell!). And I couldn’t have done it without the support of my close friends and family.

Thanks to all of my new & old readers who stuck with me on the ride that was 2017!
You can read more of my lifestyle posts here.
 Goodbye 2017Goodbye 2017Goodbye 2017

 

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24 Hours in Amsterdam | A Travel Guide

24 Hours in AmsterdamIt can be pretty tough visiting a new city, or country. You’re not sure where to eat, what to see, or even where to stay. Well I’m here to change all of that with my handy guides! They’re full of tips, tricks, and the best places to go. So stop worrying about how you’re going to make the most of your time in a new place; here are my recommendations for spending 24 hours in Amsterdam!

24 Hours in Amsterdam

24 Hours in Amsterdam

  • Breakfast at Toki
    • Grab a delicious. and nutritious, bite to eat at Toki. Their flavours are out of this world, and the coffee is pretty damn good too.
  • Go on an Instagram walk to Central
    • The architecture in Amsterdam is entirely unique, and you won’t want to miss stealing a few snaps of it.
  • Grab a designer bargain!
    • De Bijenkorf department store is Amsterdam’s answer to Selfridges, and it’s jam packed full of contemporary & classic designer brands.

24 Hours in Amsterdam

  • Visit a weird museum
  • Par Hasard for lunch 
    • If you fancy trying out some traditional (read: moreish) Dutch food over a cold one, this is the place for you.
  • See the Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam
    • These may be slightly smaller than your average botanical gardens, but they have an impressive collection.
      Tip: the conservatory is littered with stunning specimens, but make sure to check out the little out houses dotted around.
  • G&T for dinner?
    • Have dinner at Mossel & Gin, Amsterdam’s popular restaurant for…you got it, mussels and gin.
      Tip: there are other options (the fish burger is insanely delicious), but you’ll want to try at least one G&T.

24 Hours in Amsterdam

Hints and Tips for 24 Hours in Amsterdam:

  • Where do I shop?
    • I’ll be publishing a standalone guide on where to shop in Amsterdam soon, so keep an eye out.
  • Are ‘coffeeshops’ still a thing?
    • Very much so, and you’re welcome to visit them. But be aware that some coffeeshops are not open to tourists.
  • To bike or not to bike
    • Cycling is the best way to get around in Amsterdam, but it can also be pretty intimidating for tourists. The tram & bus system is an good alternative, but if you’re a walker you can easily get round by foot as well.

Well there you have it, my travel guide to 24 Hours in Amsterdam!
Feel free to check out the my other 24 Hours In… guides.

24 Hours in Amsterdam 24 Hours in Amsterdam 24 Hours in Amsterdam 24 Hours in Amsterdam 24 Hours in Amsterdam 24 Hours in Amsterdam24 Hours in Amsterdam

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24 Hours in Montpellier | A Travel Guide

24 Hours in MontpellierIt can be pretty tough visiting a new city, or country. You’re not sure where to eat, what to see, or even where to stay. Well I’m here to change all of that with my handy guides! They’re full of tips, tricks, and the best places to go. So stop worrying about how you’re going to make the most of your time in a new place; here are my recommendations for spending 24 hours in Montpellier, France!

24 Hours in Montpellier

24 Hours in Montpellier

  • Bakery breakfast
    • Grab a pastry from a local bakery. After all, you are in France.
  • Go on your own street art tour
    • Montpellier is littered with stunning street art. Some of it is political, others comical, some philosophical. Whatever your preference, there’s plenty of art for everyone.
  • Interesting architecture
    • Montpellier may be a historical town, but there’s also a ton of unique, contemporary structures. You’ll have to be on the look out though as a lot of them seamlessly blend in with the older buildings.
  • Take lunch in the historic district
    • Littered with traditional brasseries and cafes, you can’t really make a bad decision.

24 Hours in Montpellier

  • The Arc de Triomphe…?
    • Paris isn’t the only one with an arc. The arc de triomphe and the château d’eau (water tower), extend into the aqueduct, which overlooks Montpellier’s skyline.
  • Buy fresh ingredients from a local market
    • One of my favourite things to do when visiting the South of France is stop by the food markets. You’ll find a selection of high quality, locally grown produce that will leave you wondering if you ever really tasted a tomato before.
  • Make your own homemade feast
    • Using the fresh produce you bought at the market, make your own homemade feast for dinner. There’s nothing better than enjoying the warm evenings with some friends, a relaxing bottle of wine, and fresh food.

24 Hours in Montpellier

Hints and Tips for 24 Hours in Montpellier:

  • Visit a market!
    • Southern France is well known for it’s variety of markets, and Montpellier does not disappoint. From food, to flowers, books and antiques. Check out dates and times of Montpellier’s markets here.
  • Street art
    • As I mentioned previously, there is plenty of street art in Montpellier. My tip? Keep an eye out down back alleys and close to the ground. Basically look everywhere, because you may be pleasantly surprised at what you find.

Well there you have it, my travel guide to 24 Hours in Montpellier, France!
And don’t forget to check out the my other 24 Hours In… guides.

24 Hours in Montpellier 24 Hours in Montpellier 24 Hours in Montpellier 24 Hours in Montpellier 24 Hours in Montpellier

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The Christmas Hygge Gift Guide

Hygge Gift GuideI’m all about that hygge lifestyle. Whereas the trend may have died down in the UK, I’ve continued to adopt the concept. I believe in the art of slow living, and I’m always trying to bring a little bit of it into my home and life. I also know that a lot of my readers have a similar outlook. So for my second instalment in my Christmas gift guide series I decided to go with something a little different. Here is ‘The Hygge Gift Guide’, and it’s jam packed full of awesome products to bring some warmth, cosiness and comfort into your Christmas.

The Hygge Gift Guide

It wasn’t easy breaking such an intricate concept into three categories, but I don’t think I did too bad a job, right? A cosy home is the perfect place to start, shortly followed by plenty of comforting food & drink. And last but certainly not least, some lifestyle items to keep you going in and outside of the house. As always, I have placed an emphasis on quality items from a selection of independent stores and makers, as well as some well-known brand names. With this gift guide, you’re bound to impress any hygge fan.

If you enjoyed The Hygge Gift Guide, check out the rest of my Christmas Gift Guide series.

Hygge Gift Guide Hygge Gift Guide Hygge Gift Guide Hygge Gift Guide Hygge Gift Guide