How BenjimanTV saved my life

Hello everyone!

How are you? This blog post will be different from my other posts. This will be a personal message to Benji, also known as Benjimantv who is Judy's husband and also has his own youtube channel (Link) and uploads great food pictures on his Instagram account (Link). I am not silly, I know that he probably will never read this, but I really have to thank him. If you want to know why, then keep on reading.

Dear Benji,

firstly, congratulations on birth of your lovely girls Keira and Miya. Also with having your sweet daughter Julianna and the wonderful Judy, you are having such a beautiful family!
You are not only a great father and inspiring considering your regular workout routine, but also an amazing cook. And that's actually the point of this post. You are focusing on cooking healthy with lots of vegetables while keeping it tasty. Additionally, you are combining Japanese food with international recipes. I love the excitement that you put into buying groceries and preparing the recipes and in the end, sharing that all with us.

Because of you, I have rediscovered my passion for healthy cooking, enjoying cooking and actually carrying about what I put into my body.
The thing is that I have a rather hard relationship with food. 4 years ago I became anorexic. The cause were personal problems in school including bullying. It took me a long time to find a way out of this illness and only stopped therapy 1 1/2 years ago. Since then my relationship to food stayed pretty difficult as I swapped between an incredible healthy lifestyle to eating total crap.
It was never that bad that I only ate fast food because I always stayed an athletic person and never wanted to ruin my body totally. However, I stopped carrying about food, I didn't enjoy eating and didn't want to eat any veggies explicitly.
You not only pushed myself back into my old fitness level, but also revived the conscience of eating healthy and actually carrying about what I put into my body. I am also not talking about a temporary change as I already changed my whole eating habits for one month now and I am not even thinking about changing this any soon. As everyone says, fitness and health is made in the kitchen and I can totally confirm this.
So thank you so so much, Benji! By sharing your healthy and tasty recipes with the world, you have changed my life completely. You helped me to come back on track and to actually build up a healthy relationship to food.
Thank you very much for this!!!


All the best,

Marie

TMI Tag!

Hey everyone!

The TMI Tag is currently going around and I thought I should also do these tag. It appears to be quiet personal, but I think it is a great way to get to know my a bit more. As there are a lot of questions, I will start right into it.

QUESTIONS

1: What are you wearing?
A white tiger Tee from Mango, black loose cardigan by Espirt and a khaki green jeggings by Vero Moda.

2: Ever been in love?
Oh yes.

3: Ever had a terrible breakup?
Oh yes.

4: How tall are you?
1,73m or 5'8''

5: How much do you weigh?
I am not sure. I think like 65 kg or 143 pounds.

6: Any tattoos?
No, but I want one.

7: Any piercings?
Only two earpiercings.

8: OTP?
OTP???

9: Favorite show?
I love "Das Perfekte Dinner" on Vox so much. I watch it every day from Monday to Friday and really want to participate in his show. "Rosins Restaurant" is also great.

10: Favorite bands?
Hudson Taylor! ♥ Besides, I like electronic music, but they are usually not bands. 

11: Something you miss?
Mum's fantastic breakfast, less worries ;) 

12: Favorite song?
Oh lord, they are sooo much. They change every week. I would say currently I love "Helplessly Hoping" by Hudson Taylor feat. Gabrielle Aplin, "Brother" by Mighty Oaks, "You & Me" by Disclosure feat. Eliza Doolittle and "Baila Morena" by Zucchero.

13: How old are you?
20 years old.

14: Zodiac sign?
Sorry, what is Zodiac?

15: Quality you look for in a partner?
Humour, makes me laugh and not to conservative, stiff attitude.

16: Favorite Quote?
I like a lot of quotes, e.g. "He who kneels before God can stand before anyone" or "Der Gebildete treibt die Genauigkeit nicht weiter, als es der Natur der Sache entspricht".

17: Favorite actor?
Leonardo DiCaprio :)

18: Favorite color?
Gold, Pink, Nude.

19: Loud music or soft?
LOUD!

20: Where do you go when you’re sad?
Doing sport.

21: How long does it take you to shower?
Depending on whether I do my short or longer routine it takes me 5 or 15 minutes.

22: How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
It depends. My fast routine till I am completely ready with makeup etc. takes 30 minutes. My really long routine with tanning etc etc takes 1h-1:30h.

23: Ever been in a physical fight?
Yes, unfortunately, I was.

24: Turn on?
Humour, taking job/uni/school serious and life relaxed.

25: Turn off?
Ignorance, intolerance, stiff people, bullying, arrogance.

26: The reason I joined Youtube?
To subscribe and keep up with my fav youtubers. I have never done any videos.

27: Fears?
Darkness :(

28: Last thing that made you cry?
Probably the thought of failing my exam.

29: Last time you said you loved someone?
Two months ago.

30: Meaning behind your YouTube Name?
Please see question No. 26.

31: Last book you read?
"The Snowman" by Jo Nesbo.

32: The book you’re currently reading?
Currently none, but I assume that it will be another JO Nesbo one. The last one was sooo good!

33: Last show you watched?
"Grill den Henssler" on VOX.

34: Last person you talked to?
My mum on phone. A friend in uni in reality.

35: The relationship between you and the person you last texted?
REALLY difficult and often confusing with heart breakings.

36: Favorite food?
At the moment Stir Fry. My all time favourite is pasta! <3

37: Place you want to visit?
California,Vancouver, Thailand, Seychellen, China.

38: Last place you were?
Switzerland.

39: Do you have a crush?
No..

40: Last time you kissed someone?
About a month ago.

41: Last time you were insulted?
Two weeks ago by some naughty elementary school girls.

42: Favorite flavor of sweet?
Chocolate!

43: What instruments do you play??
Fluet, Guitar.

44: Favorite piece of jewelry?
Oh my favourite earrings broke two weeks ago. These were basic swarovski studs which I have to rebuy very soon!

45: Last sport you played?
A one hour full body training by Jillian Michaels (Link)

46: Last song you sang?
"Of the night" by Bastille.

47: Favorite chat up line?
Hey, how are you?

48: Have you ever used it?
Yes haha, not that special.

49: Last time you hung out with anyone?
Well, I hang out with my friends every day in uni. 

50: Who should answer these questions next?

Anyone who likes to answer them :)

I hope you enjoyed this tag. Please leave me a comment by telling me what your favorite band is!

Have a wonderful day, guys!

Love,

What The Hell Was Going On?! - Everything changed

Hello guys!

How are you?
I can not express how much I have missed you. I also know that there is no really obvious excuse why I have been absent for such a long time. It literally feels like ages since I sat down and really wrote a blog post for you. Thus, I want to take the time and explain what was going on with my life.

Do you know when you suddenly lose the fun to do something or your head is full of so many things that there is just no space left for something that was important in your previous life, but can't cooperate with your new one?
Well, that happened when I met my first boyfriend, fell in love and had some wonderful months. I focused so much on him that I neglected quite a lot of things and what happened? Yes, we quit with a lot of tears and pains on my side only after three months. I had to suffer from my first lovesickness. Plus I graduated from school, I have now my Abitur, I applied to many universities and moved into a new city. The problem was that I didn't get an university place in the city where I wanted to, so I was really frustrated. However, a few days ago I got my desired university place, which was so surprising! Also, I started my hunter's license which was pretty hard and included a lot of learning, but I successfully also achieved this.

So who I am now? // I am a law student in my favourite city. I am living alone in a tiny studio apartment, because the rents are incredible high here. I am living central in a metropolis, but still have to cope with living alone. I have had my first boyfriend, I am over him and I am really enjoying my single life. I am sometimes thinking about him and I have no new boyfriend. I have learnt how important it is to have good friends and I am became a lot more social, spontaneous and open. //

I really feel that with me being a student a new chapter in my life starts. And you are a part of this new chapter. I needed the break during this transition and here I am back in order to post new content and new posts.

So I am questioning you: Do you like the content of the previous posts or are you interested in something new, other emphasis? More fitness, health, food, recipes post or staying with the haul, fashion and beauty section?

I am so glad that I am ready to start again & I hope that you are staying with me!

Lots of love,

My Bedroom Makeover!

Hello everyone!

How are you?

A lot has been going on in my life and probably will be, so sorry for any posts that I am missing and that I can't post that regular any more. However, today I want to share with you one of my big projects on which I am working. It is my bedroom makeover! Okay, in fact, I just bought a new, larger bed because I am going to move to another flat in two months, so it doesn't make any sense to completely redecorate my whole bedroom. In detail, I followed these steps until I had my new bed.

Step #1: Research a lot and take your time to reflect about your purchase. If you still like it after 2 weeks or more, then this might be the perfect furniture for you. Also think about the colour and what really suits into your bedroom.

Step #2: Design or plan your future bedroom with a virtual online room planer e.g. the one by Roomle (Link) or draw a plan so that you make sure that it fits into your bedroom.

Step #3: Organize the purchase, your helpers and the transport beforehand, so that you don't lose the overview.

Step #4: Now there starts my individual progress. I just cleared out my whole bookshelf, removed all the books that I don't read, moved it into another room and put all books back into the shelf. I also reorganized everything in my room, so that I was able to remove one complete DVD shelf.

Step #5: Then I carried my bed from the first ground to the top floor.

Step #6: And I did some retouches on the wallpaper and cleaning because of all the work.

Step #7: Finally, I bought the bed and build it. I rearranged and decorated everything and I was done.

With the collage I tried to give you a little idea of how my bedroom looks like right now. Except of the last step I did everything on my own and I am quite proud of this. I also absolutely love my bed and am totally blessed with the idea of buying it before I move.

I hope you liked this little insight and have a wonderful sunny day!

Love,

 

The Surprising & Unexpected Effects of Passing Final Exams

Firstly, hey everyone!

I hope you have a lovely day and perhaps you experience a sunny spring day somewhere whereas the weather here sucks so much. However, let's go back to the topic.

So basically, after finishing my written final exams and have been forced to stick to a tough and disciplined time schedule, I experienced a huge progress in my private management. Before this huge study time, I totally freaked out when I had to do two things in a time and was incapable of behaving spontaneous, flexible or open to new topics as they caused so much stress for me.
Now, after my exams, I am so much better in time-managment, in fact, I don't delay any task that I have to do, I stay rather focused and rational. Therefore, I can complete much more tasks on a daily or weekly basis than I ever could without being stressed and additionally, staying open for new tasks.

In detail, I am able to handle 5 important aspects in my life without neglecting any of them. I do everything for my school and all extra work including homework, presentation etc. and I can keep social contacts to all my friends and beloved for the first time, also arranging some private meetings with doctors etc. I am also able to do a cardio & strength workout plan that needs quite a bit of time and find some time for my hobbies or just some plain free-time. Of course, there are days were I am not able to do one of these things, but in general, I am pretty good in keeping it in balance. I never thought that I might be able to handle all of this, perhaps it has something to do with the patience and calmness that I get after running.

Nevertheless, I am really satisfied with this balance and my ability to handle all of my important things. I think, it is all about balance and finding the daily routine that works best for you. Thus, you can even "multi-task" when you have a full-time job and I highly recommend working on this as it really reduces stress and this constant dissatisfaction that I have experienced.
So tell me whether you find it hard to handle everything in your life? 

Wish you a stress-free day! 

Love,

Life Update: Abitur, Study, Moving Out, Boyfriend,...

Hello everybody!

I hope you are doing well!
I wanted to give you a little update of my life, what is going on, what happened and what are my plan for the future as I haven't done such a post for a really long. Or have I ever done such a post? Anyway.
As some of you might have heard, I have finished my final exams which means that I still have to pass my oral exams in June and obviously have to pass both tests and then I am done. But let's say that the written part was the toughest one and after months of learning I am finally relieved. The problem is that I seriously don't know what I have to do in my free time. I had to set aside most of my hobbies or any deep pleasures and reading a normal book made me feel that I forget everything that I have learned. So now, I actually could do everything, but still can't enjoy the hobbies as I still have the longing to do something efficient or effective.

The next huge step is that I am going to move into my own flat. Okay, it's not going to happen before September, but this step, which also includes starting to study, opens up a complete new chapter in my life resp. is a complete new life. This step gives me more freedom and independence, but also means that I have more responsibilities, tasks and have to do more serious decisions and stand for them. I think you call this growing up or maturity and I am excited and a bit scared of this new chapter in the same time. However, this may allow me to become more self-confident and to do what I want.

Another step is to incorporate a healthy and well-balanced diet into my eating plan when I live alone. I already eat quite healthy and I even think that this will become a bit easier as I decide what I buy and I usually don't buy sweets for my own, thus, there will be only "clean food" in my fridge. Hopefully ;)
And I assume a really clean and controlled eating plan will also push my fitness level to a next level. So I think about starting the ZCUT Program created by Zuzka Light once it is released in Europe while I am living a home and really get in the best shape I have ever been.

I also still want to change my attitude towards the life. Basically, I want to enjoy the life more, be more spontaneous, live the moment and not worry so much about everything and everyone. Just to be my own individual with my own personality, my own dreams and own longings -  just to be authentic. I started with this project last year and I did a lot of progresses and learned to enjoy my life with all senses. The only step that is missing is finding a proper and serious relationship. I don't want to talk about my past relationships, I want to look forward and the thing is that I was so busy because of my Abitur and was a bit too focused on school in the past. So yes, I am ready to love someone as I learned to love myself! ;)

Okay, before I start to talk about god and the world, I just stop here, but I hope you liked this little life update. Tell me what has been going on in your life and what had been your experiences when you were moving out?

Wish you a wonderful day! Love,

The Easiest Way To Choose The Right Job For You

A lot of teenagers struggle with the huge question: what am I going to do after my school degree? What am I going to study? There exist a lot of methods how to find the right job for oneself, but here is the easiest way how to find the right job for you!

I had the same problem like probably every teenager has got. I didn't know what I wanted to do in my future and even very closely before my school degree I had no plan what to do or what to study. Researches in the Internet and all my friends and family told me that I have to do something where I have fun. Then other specialists said that I had to do something with my hobbies and again other people said that I have to focus on my strengths.

"Some start to connect their future perspectives to much with the subjects that are required in school"

However, I think the problem is that this, I call it now, "future-stress" is really intensified by school. I know that they want to help the students and what to take the fears away, but some start to connect their future perspectives to much with the subjects that are required in school and automatically go into a certain branch like biology, chemistry etc. This is a good think if you are really interested in one of these subjects, however, it should taken into consideration that there also exist other subjects that are not required in school and so you can have skills which you haven't recognized yet.

Also, it is nearly impossible to find a job where you will have fun when you even don't know all jobs and often don't have a clue what they are doing the whole day. Thus, I realised that there exist just one way to find the right job. Of course, you have to thing about what you like and you also can not study maths when you had terrible marks in maths, but basically, this helped me to find my "dream job".

Do an internship and just start studying the subject! 

This sounds so easy and it really is! When I did my first internship, I just thought it would be good for my CV, but in fact, you really get to know a certain job. However, in order to find out whether a job really suit to you, you have to test it practically. And if you don't have the opportunity for that during an internship, then just start studying your preferred subject! 

Finding your right job is like finding a good make up product!

You will never know whether this product works for you unless you tested it and then you can build your own opinion on this. The same thing works with your job. You will never know whether this is the right job for you unless you tested it. When you find out that you don't like your current subject, then you still have time to change it, but you will never blame yourself for not trying out your desired job when you are old.

I hope this was helpful! What is your dream job and how did you find this?

Wish you a wonderful day!

Lot of Love,

2012 Year In Review: When You Think You Own the World

Hello guys!

I know that I haven't posted something for a while now and that I even forgot about my pre-written blog posts, but I am currently studying for my FINAL exams and that is so incredibly time-consuming and my whole head is filled with school stuff. So please excuse this lack of post and I doubt that this will change in the future. Nevertheless, I wanted to reflect on the past year 2012 as I absolutely hate New Year's Resolution and rather prefer looking at what I have achieved and doing the things that I want to change in the minute when I want to change them an not waiting for a new year to start. Nevertheless, I will include a little list of things that I plan on doing in 2013. So let's get started with my End of Year Review!

Prevailing mood for 2013?

Excitement.

What have you done in 2012 for the first time?

I travelled only with my sister to a foreign country where we can't even speak the language, I also went to a road trip with my own car and with my sister which was super exciting. I also applied to a work experience voluntarily, went clubbing for the first time in my life (!) and had some really fun experience on my final course trip to Amsterdam. 

What haven't you done?

I didn't travel to Switzerland this year, even though we have a holiday house there and I spent my whole childhood over there. I also forgot celebrating my birthday, because the whole school was so stressful. That's also the reason why I forgot to really enjoy my life and the little moments in our life.

Word of the year?

School Stress

Gained weight or lost weight?

I lost weight because of my aim to get a hot summer body during the summer time :) and because the school stress in autumn.

Visited cities?

Dresden, Leipzig, Florence, Vienna, Weimar

City of the year?

Florence! I have been to Vienna before, thus, it was not that exciting to see everything again, but Florence was definitely an adventure. It is a rather historical city with lots of tourism, but the whole Mediterranean atmosphere, colours, architecture and food were so incredibly inspiring. I think I am in love with Italy!

What about alcohol?

Well, I enjoy having a drink in moderation. I prefer wine and detected my new love for champagne and vodka.

Hair shorter or longer?

Shorter! If you asked me in the beginning of last year, I would have never said that I would cut my hair shorter even though it was only shoulder length. But I absolutely love my new hair and I even died it a bit lighter!

Have you saved the money or spent it freely?

Caused by my really time consuming school I haven't really found the time to spend a lot of money on anything, so at the end of this year I had a lot of money so I just bought myself a few things here and there but nothing major.

Highest mobile phone bill?

Ewww... I don't pay them.

Did you go to a hospital?

No. I have never been into one.

In love?
Nope.

Most called person?
Probably my sister as she moved into her own flat.

Spent the best time with?

My sister!

Spent the most time with?

MY SISTER & my friend in the club!

Song(s) of the year?
All songs from Coldplay, Battles by Hudson Taylor and Levels by Avicii!!!

Book of the year?

I had to read a lot for the school so I haven't had that much time to read. However, my favourite book was probably Delusions, Confusions by Theodor Fontane.

TV serie of the year?

Oh, since summer I love watching Grey's Anatomy. Seriously, this is only my scond series after Gossip Girl that I really like.

Most expensive thing that you bought this year?

My Nikon Coolpix Camera.

I would be able to live without ... ?

the school stress, the not existing time for myself and the insecurity regarding my future.

Best experience?
Slowly starting to learn the positive effects of being female and how to use this wisely ;)

2012 with one word?
STRESS

My plans for 2013:

• having a healthy and well-balanced diet even during stressful periods
• working on my sixpack ;)
• just buying makeup products that I REALLY need or are used up
• being more self-confident, authentic and care less about other's opinion
• pass my final exam, moving out and starting my new career
• living more care free

So this was my Review of the Year 2012. I am so excited about 2013 because this years starts a new chapter with my life. Everything, absolutely everything will change in my life and I am super excited of how I am going to handle these changes. I also want to progress in my character because I feel quite wise and mature, but not really fun-loving even though this lifestyle attracts me the most. So we will see what 2013 will bring!

What have been your experience in 2012 and what are your plans for 2013?

Wish you a wonderful day! Love,

Christmas & Holiday Tradition Tag!

Hello everyone!

The third advent has passed, we have set up our Christmas tree and it is only one week left and we have Christmas. In between I have to write three major exams which kind of inhibits my Christmas anticipation, but I hope that I will feel at least a bit christmasy after Thursday. As it is close to Christmas I thought it might interest you to get to know a bit more about my Christmas habits and because only found one Christmas TAG created by Zoella that I really loved, I though I am going to do this today!

The Questions
1. When do you start getting excited about Christmas?
This changes every year and is really depended on my current stress level. Last year, I was in christmas mood way to early so that I was almost annoyed of Christmas when it was Christmas. This year I was really excited about christmas at the end of november, but then with december my exams started so that this mood faded into nothing. I really, really hope that I will start getting excited about Christmas when my exams are over which is on Thursday.

2. Do you still have advent calendars?
Yes! I live in Germany and here the advent calendar is a huge tradition and so everyone which I know has one.
 
3. What are your favourite Christmas Films?
I love "Love Actually", "Polar Express", "The Muppet Christmas Carol" and a rather sad one "The Family Stone".

4. Do you have any funny Christmas memories?
Uff, well not really. My grandparents are really funny people so there always happens something funny every single year, but these are just spontaneous sometimes a bit embarrassing moments.

5. Talk us through your typical Christmas Day?On the 24th we have a relaxed start with a nice breakfast, then do some arrangements till lunch and have a light lunch. In the afternoon, we usually watch a film, at 6pm we exchange our presents and have dinner. At the evening, we always do something in the family (playing, watching film etc.). Then the next two days are always family meetings and I celebrate Christmas with my father separately.

6. What do you eat for Christmas Dinner?
Traditionally we eat goose, dumplings and red cabbage (yes really german!). We are going to eat this at my grandparents' house this year, so we are going to make something in a pot-au-feu where you can build fish, meat and vegetables in vegetable stock. At my father's house we are probably going to eat deer or feral pig.

7. Do you have any Christmas traditions?
Decorating the christmas tree is always a whole family event for us and is really a symbol for the Christmas time. Here in Germany, we also always bake "Plätzchen" which are a bit like a mixture between gingerbread and sugar shortbread and taste absolutely amazing! On the 24th we always watch a film, the Santa comes at 6pm and we always sit in the living room together. The family meetings are mainly about eating and spending some time together.

8. Which are your favourite Christmas songs?
All christmas songs from Michael Bublé e.g. "Cold December Night", "I's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" and "All I Want For Christmas Is You". Then I also enjoy listening to "Driving Home For Christmas" by Chris Rea and "Merry X-Mas Everybody" by Slade.

9. What is the best Christmas present you ever received?
Oh, I don't know. I am seriously happy about every present that I get because I think, it's more about the thought of the person. I actually start getting terribly excited about giving the presents to other people and seeing their joy and their reactions. I don't know what it is but giving presents to other people make me so much happier than getting one.

10.Real or fake christmas tree?
Real! We had a fake one last real because newspapers had warned for insects that might be in the christmas tree because of the mild winter. However, due to the fact that we have all missed the smell and look of a real christmas tree, we had to buy a real one this year!

So this was my Christmas Tag for this year! I seriously can not believe that we are that close to Christmas, I can only imagine writing my autumn blog posts for you and here we are really close to a New Year which also means nearly one year of blogging continually! I hope you all have a beautiful christmas time!

Wish you a wonderful day! Love,

Who Else Wants to Be Happy in Life?

Be happy. Enjoy your life.

Everyone know these sentences and I know that it is not always easy to think positive in every situation. And sometimes we need our "dark hours", but hey, we only life once and the life is such a precious, such a wonderful and unique thing! I just can't, I really CAN'T stand out when people are in a quiet hard situation and they always want to have pity, attention. I just hate it. Don't understand me wrong - I am a really helpful person and I think we all should support each other, but at a certain point the (self-)pity has to stop! 

Just forget all your worries in a second, open your eyes, see your situation form another point and just smile. Smile for a minute & reward your soul with a little tread whether it is food, sport, a walk outdoor or a little shopping tour. Just do something for yourself and experience your life! Your problems might also solve themselves or you can sort your thoughts from a realistic view point.

Just have the best time of your life!

I hope you like your life. Wish you a wonderful day/life! Love,

Can You Really Relax?

In this modern time, it is hard to find some free time, some "inefficient" time that is not filled up with important stuff that has to be done immediately. We always feel a constant rush in ourselves, a neverending cycle that doesn't allow us to spend time for ourselves. It is hard to calm down and just do anything. Yes, silence even starts to feel uncomfortable! So, this raises the question of whether you are even able to really relax or whether you are torn in our busy world?

I have to admit, on some days it is hard for me to stop thinking about school and what has to be done and I would even say that in some days it is impossible and inevitable. However, I can relax and I do not need a lot. Today I bought a punch of candles in IKEA, especially vanilla flavoured candles. My relaxation starts when I light a candle in my bedroom, sit down on my bed, have a cup of tea and read a book. Sometimes I crap my MAC Book, but the real relaxation starts with a book. I am here and now with all my senses, but still do not worry about my life. I am just enjoying the moment, I am pleased with my life, my health and that I can sit here in the warmth. A book also opens up a new world which might take your thought away from your current worries. 

However, I know that for some people it isn't that easy to relax and that this can even cause burn-out. Thus, it is extremely important that you take your "MY TIME"! Tell me, can you relax and how do you do that?

Wish you a relaxing sunday!
Lots of love,

My Love for Pinterest

I never thought that I was going to like Pinterest and completely ignored the hype about the platform for a really long time. Pinterest is an internet platform where user can pin pictures on their board under certain categories. Other user can search for pins and can repin or like the pins. I logged in myself just because of curiosity and once you started pinning pictures on your board and people start to like your pins, you start to become addicted. 

Therefore, I can not stop using pinterest. It is amazing when you search for alternative photos that can not be found by a regular google search. And seriously, Pinterest offers pins from every single subject and category you can think of. 

I would be really pleased if you would check out my board here. 

Here are my current favourite pins and as you can tell I love monochrome photography:

What do you think about Pinterest?

Wish you a wonderful day!

Lots of love,

The Strange Thing That We Do On Trips

A lot of tourists end up by doing something like this:

They study the maps weeks ahead and in the foreign city they walk with they map constantly through the city and follow strictly the routes that are given.

However, during the last trips my boyfriend and I decided to hide the maps really deep in our bags which are just used in emergencies. We use the maps maybe the first day in order to get a bit of an orientation and then we start to walk on our own. Automatically you don't follow the tourist routes, because you know in which direction you have to go and therefore, you also go into the side alleys. Not only does this strengthens your sense of orientation, but also opens complete new doors in the country.

Personally I recognized that this helps me to get to know the city a bit better. I know this sound super superficial, because as a tourist I will never be able to really get to know a country within 5 days, but it help me at least not feeling like a complete tourist. It helps me seeing other aspects of the world, exploring new things and therefore, feel more personally connected to the city or to any place.

What are your on your trip? Do you also like to walk through a city without a map?

All the best,