Life is now!

Today is one of those perfectly crisp autumn mornings. Water drops are clinging on to leaves who are slowly changing colour. The air is cool and fresh. It actually makes a difference now when you open the windows. It hardly did before as we’ve had a very warm summer.

I want this blog to be something that you read to make you think sometimes… I also want it to be a place that you can go to for inspiration. Sometimes more spiritual ones but sometimes I just want it to be about nice things quite frankly. I think a lot of us do like to read recommendations about clothes, make-up, perfume, shoes, things for the house, your pet and so on. We are after all humans. I truly do love my “Hygge” and to me that is something you can also apply to yourself! This morning I opened the windows and lit up a candle. Of course “Hygge” with a hint of “lagom”- just right!

When I spent time in the USA I did go to quite a few shops and shopping centres. It’s actually one of my favourite places to shop. In Walgreens, I often came across Essie- the nail varnish brand and wow- the range of colours available- and the names. I bet their marketing people have a lot of fun coming up with those. Essie was founded in 1981 by Essie Weingarten. She wanted to help make women feel special. Her originals are “blanc”, “Bordeaux” and “Baby’s breath”. In 2012 the brand went more global.

Essie

I like this brand, good quality and a wide range of colours and different types. A good Christmas gift for someone? I know it’s a long way away- but you know it’ll be here before you know it! Especially if you need to fill up some Christmas stockings! I recommend.

I have to admit that I am definitely not a role model when it comes to thinking about our environment. Recently though, small things tend to get stuck in my mind. I really do think that you as an individual can make a difference. I remember when I moved to the U.K. I actually emailed a few shops asking them to remove the box around the toothpaste. They are perfectly fine to be sold without. More recently I asked stores to only use recyclable bags when ordering online. Why only deliver groceries and shopping in plastic bags? I do think that plastic is a very bad thing for our environment. But I think that it’s something relatively easy to find alternatives for. Just look at straws! There are a lot of companies who are now starting to use alternatives. Sometimes it’s about changing how you think.

Plastic straws

Business Insider has this great article about a project that 24- year- old Boyan Slat has invented.

Great Pacific Garbage Patch

This project launched 8 September. The goal is to remove plastic from some of the the most trash filled areas of the ocean. This is of course a very complex problem to solve, but incredibly inspiring and motivating. Our oceans are not garbage dumps. What you throw in here doesn’t just disappear (unless of course it’s biodegradable).

Therefore I challenge you to use a lot less plastic in your daily lives this week. We only have one nature and one world that we all share. And as I said, I know I’m far from perfect but this week, I will think about using less environmentally unfriendly items and lean towards more environmentally friendly alternatives. Every little thing that you do in your life, truly makes a difference! Go on, I challenge you- you know it makes sense!!!

Ok so I haven’t “officially” been invited but I’m jumping on the bandwagon anyway. This blog is about conversations and dialogues so I think this is a great idea.

1. Introduce how you got involved in these 26 questions: I was proposed to answers these by Racquel from:

Racquel Writes

She’s a lawyer and relatively new in this blogging world (like me!) please go and look at her site, it’s really good! She seems very interesting, nice and like a lot of fun!

2. Who are you named after?

I can’t recall that my first name is from anyone in particular. However my third name (yes I got 3?!) is from my great- great grandmother and it is Cornelia. This was decided when I was 11 and at the time I was not too happy about it as it was a rather uncool name. Now, I kind of like it.

3. Do you like your handwriting?

No- not at all. It’s all over the place. I think it’s because these days I write most things using technological gadgets so I rarely practice handwriting. (Or maybe that’s just a good excuse!)

4. What is your favourite lunch meat?

That would be chicken

5. Do you still have your tonsils?

Yes!

6. Longest relationship

My marriage…

7. Would you bungee jump?

Well, I have actually done this. And not just once but two times! Both over water. It was very cool. I wouldn’t do it today though. These days I have to force myself joining my daughter on the rollercoasters she loves! The things you do for your kids…

8. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?

Yes absolutely. Currently in Converse a lot but strongly considering going back to Sketchers again! I love them. And so much easier to get in and out of! On my wish list…

9. Favourite ice-cream

Difficult choice but if I really have to chose that would be pistachio

10. What’s the first thing you notice about people?

That would be the eyes… I really do think they mirror a persons personality (some say soul)

11. Football or baseball

Neither but if there are big events on… I’d watched them both!

12. What colour pants are you wearing?

Just plain ol’ black ones

13. Last thing you ate?

Dried apricots- actually rather delicious ones

14. If you are a crayon colour what colour would you be?

I’d most definitely be a purple one

15. Favourite smell

For me that is that of newly cut grass after a rainstorm when the rays from the sun are appearing again and slowly warming up the air… so fresh!

16. Who is the last person you spoke to on the phone?

My father

17. Hair colour?

Golden blond but admittedly I put highlights in once in a while

18. Eye colour

It depends on the light actually- blue/ green/ greyish with a bit of gold in sometimes

19. Favourite food to eat?

What a difficult question… I love food! I don’t know I just couldn’t pick one thing there are just too many things I love… sorry

20. Scary movies or happy endings?

I love scary movies with happy endings!

21. Last movie you watched?

Oceans 8- actually pretty good

22. Favourite Holiday?

I like every opportunity to celebrate and I guess I’ve picked up a real mix from different countries and cultures- any excuse to invite friends over, eat well and decorate at home!

23. Beer or wine?

Definitely wine. I haven’t had a beer in years

24. Favourite day of the week

By a mile… Fridays

25. Three favourite bloggers you want to learn about:

Eddaz

She seems like a lot of fun!

I hope she’d like to answer these questions unless she’s already done so!

Next up is:

Provincial Woman

I’d really like to know more about her!

And finally is…

beetleypete

I can see he’s a Londoner so curious to hear more from him (having spent many years there myself…)

I’d like to ask more people as well!

26. The added info you didn’t know you wanted

That I can be incredibly stubborn

Bonus question: who is your favourite super hero

Modesty Blaise- I hope a newer movie will be made about her soon!

Hello,

One thing is certain and that is that every day turns into a new one… Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday… I think you see where I’m going. I love Fridays. You who read and check in regularly know that. Read a quote today that I really, really like:

I think this is so true! It’s never too late to start over or to try again. Then ideally when you’ve found the way that truly works for you, try and stick to it.

I have a lot of people that I admire and that I look up to. They have all become more visible and tangible to me this year actually. More about some specific individuals in a later blog. What does inspiration mean to you? Do you have someone that you look up to and that have/ is influencing you and your life? I do and for that, I’m incredibly grateful!

Have the most amazing Friday!!!

I am getting quite a few comments lately and I truly love the discussions and questions. Thursdays I usually write about trips- where I have been and where I will go/ would like to go next. (If I haven’t before this is at least what’s on my blog schedule!) I’ve had some great communication with Marina on:

Me Exploring

We have had some interesting discussions. Her blog is very nice and I like her recent post on the difference in cultures and how you perceive things depending on what you are accustomed to. Take a look!

I’ve lived in 8 countries to date and visited many, many more. I was born in Sweden but moved to France when I was 18 and I guess since then, I’ve never really returned.

Here you can see some previous posts on some places that I’ve been to:

Best trips

I’m also in the process of creating more lists to use before travelling:

How to pack I hope you’ll like that?!

And I’ve written some information about different airlines:

Norwegian

Life is constant change- for me at least! Looking forward to some stability and routine for the next little while though. Have you moved? City/ country/ house/ flat etc? It certainly opens your eyes and enriches it as well. I’ve made incredible friends and met fantastic people all over the world and have friends from the USA to Europe to India to Japan to Australia. That’s what I call being privileged and incredibly lucky! 😌🙏🏻 Share your story…