Monday, March 30, 2015

Dreaming of the World


Nothing gets me more excited than the idea of traveling somewhere exotic, fun and new. In a few days time , I'll be on Easter vacation for a week and I really need it. My immediate plans to recoup my energy are to hibernate in my flat for the first day with some good soups, decent wine and lots of series and books. What I often end up doing is sitting with my travel diaries (I try to make one of each trip) and relive the memories. Then I start plotting how much I need to revisit the country and when I'll go and who will accompany me...then I realize I'm a teacher and it won't happen too soon hahahaha. No harm in dreaming :)
So here is my travel bucket list:

1. Disneyland


A friend of mine has just gone with her family to Disneyland and I am SUPER jelly of her. This is very high on my to-do- list and I really want to explore all Disney has to offer with some of the younger members of the family. We never really grow up and why should we? Definitely not in the world's Happiest Place!




2. India


In the last year, many friends have visited India. Some loved it and others loathed it but regardless everyone came back with vivid memories and experiences. I want that, I feel like I need to have seen what they have all described, and feel it all myself. Land of vibrant colors and extremes, I think India is a country that will change you forever.




3. Greece


This country is not just on my list because of Mamma Mia, although that film did help stoke the fire ;) If I think of a warm, friendly summery place to visit with great food, I think of Greece. It's not just about the beaches though, lots of beautiful ruins and buildings that are steeped in history, all leaving you in awe.




4. Italy


A country with a rich history and a love for beautiful things set against diverse backgrounds. I would like to start in Rome which, to my mind, seems like a giant, vibrant museum with ever changing characters riding around on mopeds like in a old black and white film. Glamorous people eating pasta and pizza in the piazza in Venice , the city on water, would be my next stop and from there, the Italian countryside...you wouldn't see me for months :)




5. Japan


Japan seems very multifaceted to me, a happy and colorful blend of old and new world. The cities are lit up 24/7 by fluorescent lights and street fashion that'll blow your mind and still you can find peaceful areas with ancient temples, large Buddha statues and cherry blossoms coating the streets in a pale pink cloth.




And each time I visited a place on my bucket-list, I'll replace it with something else. The world is wide, wide, wide!



Thursday, March 26, 2015

The Truth is Out There

X-files returns! I love X-files and the adventures of Mulder and Scully, so much that I re-watch all 9 seasons every 3 months or so. Now that Vanity Fair has confirmed six new episodes, all fan-girls and boys can rejoice. X-files is cool again and being exposed to a new and young audience.


So this seems the perfect time to lay out my five favorite episodes:

1. The Pilot
Aired in 1993, this was an attention grabber right from the start and has all the little markers that fans often associate with the series. The introduction of the two main characters as polar opposites to each other; the sinister Smoking man who is ( and always will be) the devil incarnated; Scully's modest but boring outfits; Mulder's sunflower seed addiction and that poster: I Want To Believe




2. Leonard Betts
The twelfth episode of the fourth season, this started off okay and became quite creepy! Based around an EMT who can detect cancer AND THEN EATS THE AFFECTED BODY PART, he can also regenerate severed and damaged body parts. The key to eternal youth? This episode also kicked off the long running issue of Scully's cancer battle.



3. Bad Blood
I thoroughly enjoyed this episode, probably because it was one of the few that didn't give me nightmares. The interaction between Mulder and Scully was very humorous and I liked that we saw Scully in a different light, funnier and flirty with Luke Wilson's character. Besides there's vampires, who doesn't love them?



4. Die Hand Die Verletzt
Bubble bubble, toil and trouble...what a wonderfully creepy episode about a group of teachers who are dabbling in the dark arts. My naughty students best be afraid, very afraid ;)



5. Squeeze
Mulder and Scully investigate an impossible set of murders that range across the ages, committed by a super stretchy villain with a taste for human organs. Frightfully delicious and downright scary. Eugene Victor Tooms is terrifying and we got to enjoy him not once but twice in the episodes 'Squeeze' and 'Tooms' until he reached a disgusting end.




Definitely watching a few of my favorites tonight and drinking loads of coffee tomorrow :)




Monday, March 23, 2015

Exposed Cupboards

Something that I've been seeing in decor magazines and blogs are kitchens that have open shelving. At first when I saw these images, all I could think of was the many kitchens that I worked in as a teen and young adult before I started my degree. Slowly though, they have grown on me. Now I think it is a lovely way to display those delicate heirlooms that you got from your Great Aunt Martha or that pretty collection of Turkish glassware. If you have lovely things, then they should be displayed otherwise it is a complete waste of some fine china.  As I rent I can't really put these ideas into action but I can dream about my future home ;) Enjoy the images I've found that best show off this trend.

Dark shelves with contrasting crockery is quite striking.

Such a calm and serene kitchen with a muted palette and limited color range. Screams sophisticated and elegant. 

I love this one, all the different colors and patterns are neatly placed next to each other and instead of clashing, they complement each other. Its probably more likely that people have mismatched crockery and glasses than all one color...



I really love this idea to make your kitchen an extension of your style. I'm not super keen on the wallpapers used above but I like the idea of using a print that peaks out from behind whatever you have in your cupboards. For those creative individuals, it's also possible to paint an image behind and make it truly unique.


Although I'd love to embrace a minimalist look, it's not something I'm able to maintain. The last three images above are simple and beautiful in their simplicity. They are a minimalist look that I could possibly achieve :)

And last stunning image:


Perfection!

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