Today Berlin is on my mind

During lockdown we are all bored. Its completely normal to feel this way when you’re used to going out to eat, meeting up with friends & family, going to parties, pilates class, events, shopping, just doing you on the regular. Here are some things you can do you keep you sane during these awkward times:

1. Pick up a cookbook and try out some new recipes. My favorite cookbook at the moment is Bosh Plant Based Recipes. I got it on Amazon. The recipes are simple, unique, healthy, and tasty!
2. Self care. This one is important, not only during quarantine. Put on a facemask, put a leave in conditioner in your hair, and give yourself a mani/pedi. If you have the luxury of a bathtub at home try the Lush Cosmetics Seaweed bathbomb- you wont regret it.
3. Create your own beauty products. The best option for your health is to create your own organic vegan beauty products. Plant based beauty is surely the way to go- you can find many recipes on Pinterest. When you buy over the counter products many of the harsh chemicals are absorbed into your bloodstream and then washed off straight into the ecosystem. No bueno 😦
4. Pick up a good book. We could all use some little wins at the moment, and nothing feels better then reaching the last page of a book. You can buy used books on Amazon! This way you take a more economic route and it is way better for the environment. There are so many great books out there! I am currently reading Memoirs of a Geisha.
5. Try a Youtube home workout. There are so many great ones and it is completely free. I usually stick to 20 minute yoga and pilates, but the list of these videos on Youtube is infinite.
6. Play a board game. Grab a buddy- Mom, Dad, Bro, Sis, Bestie. Doesn’t matter! My favorites are Backgammon, Monopoly, Scrabble, Chess, and Tic Tac Toe… Haha
7. Netflix & Chill….. Grab some Ben & Jerrys and popcorn and binge watch whatever you feel like watching. You can’t go wrong.
8. Make this time about giving. It’s a bit difficult to volunteer right now but you can always contribute to charity work- there are many ways. Donate to a local animal shelter, PETA, children’s hospital, or orphanage. Whatever you feel passionate about. This is important ❤
9. Develop a new skill. Try something completely new. Painting, drawing, create some jewelry, start a blog, write a book, learn a new language… I am studying German at the moment and I try to do at least ten minutes a day. Twenty minutes when I am feeling really motivated!
10. Clean your makeup brushes, ladies! Disinfect that sh*. Haha
11. Deep clean. Honestly this is a great way to de-stress and kill time. Plus, its sooo rewarding. Sweep, mop, scrub, vacum, do what you gotta do.
12. Flip a piece of furniture. My mom is really into doing this at the moment. If you have a piece of furniture that looks like it needs some TLC, try painting it or switching out the knobs. But research how to paint it first, the proper way! You’d be suprised how a table, dresser, or a chair could go from 0-100 real quick.
13. Buy some plants. Nurture the plants. Become a plant lady (or man). Studies have shown that having plants indoors can boost your mood, productivity, concentration, reduce stress, produce oxygen, and help clean indoor air.
14. Plan for future travel. Create a bucket list of places you want to go, and set time frames and budget plans. It’s really nice having something to look forward to.
15. Learn about the stock market. Perhaps this is a good time to invest.
16. Make jam/marmelade! This is random but really cool. I want to make a spicy orange flavor soon.
17. If the weather is appropriate: TAN. This is a priority. Lol
18. Make a dope breakfast for your household. Because everyone loves a good breaky! It’s the most important meal of the day and a great way to get everyone in a good mood and set the vibes right.
19. Listen to podcasts
20. Organize your bedroom, office, closet
21. Get ahead with work or studies
22. Sudoku & a nice cup of tea or coffee.. Give your brain a little workout
23. Write down some poems, lyrics, thoughts
24. Make a scrapbook/photo album. Put together a book with photos from a cool trip you took or just memories you’ve collected. Not to sound negative, but we will all die one day… your pictures wont!
25. Loose that extra two kilos.. Summer is coming!
26. Learn how to play an instrument. Piano, guitar, violin. It’s never too late!
27. Reconnect with friends. It is hard sometimes to keep in touch with friends especially when they live in a different city or country. We all know these facetime calls can last for hours, so now is the perfect time to reconnect and catch up with friends who are far away.
28. Drink wine

There are so many things you can do with your time, whether in lockdown or not. Try making a routine out of your day. Psychology says the first thing you’re supposed to do in the morning is fluff your pillow and make your bed. This activates your brain to think “okay, I already got one thing done today, what’s next..?” Then boom. You’re off to a productive day! It is also good to take ten minutes in the morning to meditate and set some intentions or do a quick morning yoga sesh to wake up and get your blood circulating. Make this time about self improvement and becoming the best version of yourself. I hope this post helps you somehow. Stay positive, my peeps!

Con mucho amor, Nic

The place I get to call home… Three years ago I would have never imagined myself living in Vienna. It was always my dream to live in Europe for a short period of time. I was thinking six months… It turned out to be a whole two years and counting. Living in Vienna has taught me so many lessons and helped me realize so many things. There is so much more to life, things to see, and people to meet. Sometimes you will even find yourself in situations you would never expect, or would have never even imagined existed. There are so many adventures out there for those who are willing to be open about it. But I must admit, it takes a special (sometimes even tough) kind of person to move to a country accross the world not knowing one single person. It has been a challenge starting a life here. It has been the furthest thing from easy. Little things that seem so simple such as getting wifi, ordering an Amazon package in a foreign language, searching for a flat, making friends outside the classroom… are ten times more difficult to achieve on your own. But it has made me smarter, more intelligent, and more independent. There are so many secrets that I can not even imagine going throughout my life not being able to experience. It is a blessing to go outside every day and be surrounded by such beautiful historic European architecture, people, and nature. I am completely and eternally in love. I am excited for what is left to come in this magical place. Every weekend I do something completely different and find myself even more mesmerized then the previous weekend. It is comparable to hiking a mountain, you keep going up, and higher, and the view keeps getting better and better, and your heart starts pumping even more until you have reached the pique, where you feel completely alive. I will create a different blog post soon with my favourite restaraunts, museums, cafés, parks, and more. If you ever find yourself in Vienna I hope you check out all my recommendations! 🙂

Mit extra liebe, Nic

I am a bilingual, tricultural gypsy soul currently living in Vienna, Austria, the heart of Europe. I am pursuing my Masters Degree in Fashion and Lifestyle Marketing and hope to get a second masters in finance. My passions include dressage riding, yoga, traveling, and reading. I type to share with you places I’ve been, people I’ve met, food I’ve eaten, things I’ve seen… A little bit of everything! I hope you enjoy this blog as much as I love creating it. With Love, Nic