July 26, 2014

Music Saturday: Cats on Trees

Every week again... we're presenting another album of bands or singers we currently love. This week: Cats on Trees - Cats on Trees


July 24, 2014

Canada

In March I went to canada backpacking through the east for a month with a very good friend of mine. We started our journey in Montreal, went to Quebec City, Saint John (New Brunswick), Halifax, Gaspé, Ottawa, Toronto and finished in Montreal again. Here is a compilation of my most precious moments:


July 18, 2014

New favorite brand - & Other Stories



NEW STORE IN TOWN!
Last month, the Swedish fashion brand & Other Stories opened their first store in Belgium. The shop is located right in the cosy shopping centre in Antwerp. I've known the brand for some time since my holiday in Copenhagen, but yesterday I could finely show the store to Julia when she came to visit me in Antwerp. Her reaction? "Oh wow, this is definitely my new favorite fashion brand"! :)

July 05, 2014

5 things

Everyone should do this: make sure you get 5 pictures every week of things you did just for yourself, things you like, just to enjoy your life. It also helps to remind yourself how beautiful life is and what things you can do, whether for yourself, your friends or others. Just try it!
(This time all the photos were taken with a phone, so sorry for the quality)
 
Enjoying the warm evenings outside with some lovely friends!

May 16, 2014

Dreamhouse - Johanne Bueholm

Today I want to show you the charming apartment of Johanne Bueholm and her boyfriend in Aalborg (DK). If you like her style as much as I do, you should definitely check her other pictures at her instagram account: hunting doves. Enjoy!

© Huntingdoves

May 14, 2014

Blueberry lemonade

When life gives you blueberries... make blueberry lemonade!



This is a very easy recipe to make your own blueberry lemonade. It takes only 20 minutes to prepare and it's much healthier and, in my opinion, tastes better than the soft drinks you buy in the stores. Perfect refreshment on a hot day or you can always add some vodka to make your own delicious cocktail! ;-)

May 05, 2014

Music Saturday - Mø

Wow, it has been a very long time since I've presented the last CD to you. My apologies! I just had such a busy schedule over the past few weeks and time really flew by! It's rather scary: only 3 weeks left and my exam period starts again which means the school year is almost over. And I still have the feeling everything has just begun...

Since it has been so long, I'm presenting to you one of my currently favorite albums: Mø - No Mythologies to Follow.


April 23, 2014

Quinoa - Superfood

Quinoa became very popular over the past few months, which is very understandable, given it's so delicious, contains exceptionally high nutritional value, vitamins and minerals, it is extremely easy to prepare and versatile in use.

Last week, I made this delicious quinoa salad - Just cook the quinoa for about 5 minutes in water, add tomatoes, olives, cucumber, avocado, bell pepper, some lemon juice, cumin, black pepper and fresh cilantro and you get a delicious, healthy meal!

April 15, 2014

Jogging - A little inspiration

I just picked up jogging again and although it's not going too well (5km is not that great :/) I do love being outside just powering through a workout! And the feeling you get afterwards? You feel great! You feel as if you could enter in a Victoria's Secret runway show! Okay not really but you can at least eat a donut guilt free ;)
So here is some inspiration for going outside and run. Whether you can run 5km, 10km or even a complete marathon, the most important thing is having fun!


March 19, 2014

5 things

Everyone should do this: make sure you get 5 pictures every week of things you did just for yourself, things you like, just to enjoy your life. It also helps to remind yourself how beautiful life is and what things you can do, whether for yourself, your friends or others. Just try it!


There's no better way to start the day than an early morning run!

March 18, 2014

Tagliatelle with fennel and rucola

A super fast, delicious and fresh pasta dish with fennel, black olives, rucola, a mild sauce and some parmesan as a finishing touch. This is definitely something everybody can make!


March 08, 2014

Music Saturday - Milky Chance

Every week again... we're presenting another album of bands or singers we currently love. This week: Milky chance - Sadnecessary.



March 06, 2014

Detox Water


When you're trying to get your health back on track, there are many ways to detox your way to feeling better. The best way to flush out toxins, however, is simple: lots and lots of water. Drinking water all by itself is a way to help flush the body of toxins on a daily basis, but with a few simple ingredients you can transform water into detox water and get even more benefit from it. This is something you can do each day, or as part of a more broad detoxing strategy. 
As you can read below, there are many benefits of detox water. I'll also give you some of my favorite recipes!

Lemon + Lime

March 03, 2014

The Killing - Danish TV series

If you know me just a little, you'll know I'm a huge fan of Scandinavian stuff: music, clothes, design, architecture, the language, films and from the moment I've watched the first episode of "The Killing" also their TV series. Forbrydelsen tells the story of Sarah Lund, a Copenhagen based police detective investigating difficult cases with personal and political consequences. 


March 01, 2014

Music Saturday - Arsenal

Every week again... we're presenting another album of bands or singers we currently love. This week: Arsenal - Lotuk


February 26, 2014

Exploring music preferences

One of the challenges faced by a music streaming service is to figure out what music to play for the brand-new listener.  The first listening experience of a new listener can be critical to gaining that listener as a long time subscriber. For most music services, there’s a short user enrollment process that gets some basic info from the listener including their email address and some basic demographic information. Included in this information is the date of birth and the gender of the listener. Perhaps we can use basic demographic data to generate a slightly more refined set of artists.
In this post we give you some interesting results they got from these questions. Is there a difference between women and men, age or the city where people live?




February 21, 2014

Question of style: a story of pallets

Pallets are a constant source of inspiration, you meet them in all interiors without it seems now incongruous, quite the contrary they provide the  plus element, both Recycling and smart in a modern interior. Made of spruce or pine, they require no treatment if you keep them inside, those in pine can also be installed outdoors as they are naturally rot. You doubt it? So some pictures to inspire you.

© Boligpluss


5 things

Everyone should do this: make sure you get 5 pictures every week of things you did just for yourself, things you like, just to enjoy your life. It also helps to remind yourself how beautiful life is and what things you can do, whether for yourself, your friends or others. Just try it!

We hadn't seen each other since November, but this week Julia came to Leuven (Belgium) for a few days. We had such an incredible time together, it was pretty hard to say goodbye yesterday! It was just so much fun to spend some time here together, just like last year! 


Night out with the best girls!

February 15, 2014

Music Saturday - Youth Lagoon

Every week again... we're presenting another album of bands or singers we currently love. This week: Youth Lagoon - The year of hibernation


Vegetarian Raw Lasagna

Eating raw is a great way to boost your energy level and stay looking and feeling young and healthy. Research has shown that when food is heated above 42 degrees it starts to lose its nutritional value, natural enzymes start to be destroyed in the process. When I was in Copenhagen, it was very clear from the start people attach a lot of attention at healthy food, which you can see in their many "raw food restaurants". One of my favorite ones is 42° Raw. One of their most famous dishes is a vegetarian lasagna with lots of fresh vegetables and nuts. Last weekend I surprised my family by making this recipe myself. It takes quite some time to make it, but you can easily prepare some extra sauce which you can preserve in the freezer for the next time. It's definitely worth trying this one!



February 12, 2014

New in - Shopping in Copenhagen (DK) and Malmö (SE)

During my vacation in Copenhagen and the trip to Malmö, we basically shopped 5 days in a row. There were just so many beautiful design shops and fashion stores I couldn't stop myself from buying so many things. Here you have a list of my favorite souvenirs!
Straws and Napkins - Lagerhaus (Sweden)
Thee and coffee pot - Arne Jacobsen (Denmark)

February 10, 2014

Holiday in Copenhagen

This week I went on a holiday in Copenhagen for 5 days. I was looking forward to this trip for so long and it really was the perfect way to relax after my stressful exam period. I just love Scandinavia, and especially the interior design, and really wanted to visit those beautiful countries. In Belgium, we only get one week of vacation after our exams before the second semester starts (Yes Jules, you make me really jealous with your 8 weeks!). That's why I just went to Copenhagen, in stead of traveling through Denmark, Sweden and Norway as I wanted to do for a very long time. I loved this little trip so much and met so many great people that I'm already planning to go back this summer to spend some more weeks over there!


February 08, 2014

Music Saturday - Broken Bells

Every week again... we're presenting another album of bands or singers we currently love. This week: Broken Bells - After the Disco


February 05, 2014

5 things

Everyone should do this: make sure you get 5 pictures every week of things you did just for yourself, things you like, just to enjoy your life. It also helps to remind yourself how beautiful life is and what things you can do, whether for yourself, your friends or others. Just try it!


Shopping with a view in Copenhagen (L)

February 01, 2014

Music Saturday - Santigold

Every week again... we're presenting another album of bands or singers we currently love. This week: Santigold - Master of my Make-Believe




January 30, 2014

People who inspire us - MacMatre

Today I finally had my last exam, so glad they are over! I’m literally exhausted at this moment but I’m counting down the days until I leave for Copenhagen! Julia also had her last exam today, so now we can hopefully both post more things at our blog again, I really missed it!


I would like to use this occasion to introduce a new section to our blog: people who inspire us. When I’m laying in bed at night or just enjoying some free time, I love to browse the internet, looking for interior inspiration, nice recipes to try, new clothes or just reading stories about people I admire. I thought I would be fun to share some of our favorite blogs or people to look up to. (Hope you like the idea, Julia!) Feel free to share your own!

© MacMatre

Today, we start with MacMatre!


January 28, 2014

Outfit of the day

I just had my fourth exam and I'm so so glad this one's done! It really was a hell to study, well, it was interesting but very difficult and lots of details to remember and study by heart, so I had a lot of stress for today! There's not much time to relax because my next exam is on thursday, but that will be the last one so I'm really counting down till the holidays! I actually have the bad habit of studying late at the evening or during the night and I always wake up pretty early, which makes me very tired at this moment. I guess I'm going to sleep for some hours this afternoon before starting to study again! Nevertheless I really wanted to post something today, so here are just some pictures of my outfit of the day. When I study I usually just wear some comfy clothes, perfect for sitting at your desk for many hours. A lot of times, I'm thinking about what I'm going to wear for my next exam or just trying on some of them. We all need our study breaks, don't we? :)


January 26, 2014

Quick bites

Normally when I study, I eat a lot of junk food, just because I don't want to spend an hour preparing a meal and then spend another half hour cleaning up the mess. But this is a recipe I scooped up Pinterest and slightly altered it. It's healthy and really delicious!


Music Saturday - CEO

Every week again... we're presenting another album of bands or singers we currently love. This week: CEO - White Magic. 


January 25, 2014

What will I change in 2014?

Wow guys, I really miss writing for the blog! This afternoon, I was skyping with Jules and we were talking about the blog and whether or not we should write more personal post. I’ve been thinking about this for some time now and really wanted to write a respond to Julia’s beautiful post about her new year resolutions and her ups and downs in 2013, but I just didn’t really know how to start. Well, last week I read this amazing article on a blog I really love,  Design Love Fest (read the article here: Article). In this article, Bri Emery talks about her struggle with anxiety and insecurity. I was really touched by her honesty and strength of writing this post. I loved to read this so thought I might give it a try to finally write something more personal. Besides, a blog is still a place to share some personal things, isn't it?

January 24, 2014

Designer to discover - Arne Jacobsen

Within 10 days, I'm going to Copenhagen for a week. One of main reasons why I wanted to go there, is  that I'm such a huge fan of the Scandinavian design. Design Letters, designed by Arne Jacobsen, is one of my favorites!



January 21, 2014

Minimalism in... Interior


Since quite some time I have been fascinated by minimalism. It doesn't necessarily mean less from everything but just thoughtfullness about what you need and in what kind of quality you want it to have. It also means that you don't have to have an overpiling closet or, even worse, an overpiling appartment. Thus, I have been browsing some websites for inspiration.

Das Wohnzimmer
http://www.awmagazin.de/wohnen/wohnreportagen/galerie/minimalistisches-einfamilienhaus-im-gruenen/page/6#content-top

January 13, 2014

NoiseTrade

NoiseTrade is definitely one of my favorite websites. It is a great way to discover new music, get bonus tracks of the artists you love or support new artists. 


This morning I had my first exam of this year: statistics, which is one of the most difficult ones I have, given only 10% of all the people succeeds. I've been studying like hell over the past few weeks, with some nights only a few hours of sleep, but the exam still didn't go as well as I hoped.. Pretty frustrating but there's no time to keep thinking about it because my next exam is thursday! 

My favorite way to relax after a day of studying or an exam, is listening to music. Well actually, I'm listening to music almost every hour of the day! Of course I have my favorite CDs where I can keep listening to, but I also love to discover new music. NoiseTrade is perfect for that.

January 08, 2014

Music Saturday - FAUVE

Every week again... we're presenting another album of bands or singers we currently love. This week: FAUVE - Blizzard.



I discovered this band last week when a friend send me a song for my birthday and really loved them after the first minute of the song. Not only for their music, but also the lyrics (you should really look try to translate them, every song has a beautiful meaning!) and their album art: very simple and yet intriguing. This is a perfect example of an EP you should really listen to with some good headphones, you'll enjoy! I definitely do! :)

January 06, 2014

5 things

Everyone should do this: make sure you get 5 pictures every week of things you did just for yourself, things you like, just to enjoy your life. It also helps to remind yourself how beautiful life is and what things you can do, whether for yourself, your friends or others. Just try it!


Skiing trip between Christmas and New Year - Ending this vacation with the perfect weather!!! #Flims #skiing #littlebrother #besttime (J)

January 05, 2014

Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014!!

Well, since another year has passed, I always like to sit down for a while and take a recap. After that I start making a list with things I'd like to change or improve in the next year. Normally I just have to update one or two bulletpoints from my previous list. This time was no different. 2013 was sure as hell not the best year, it has been, in fact, the second year in a row that has been, well not crappy, but really difficult. I was fighting to stay in Leuven, studied everyday and still just passed one exam from four, having already failed the previous four. Then I tried to pass the entrance exam for medicine and didn't pass. For the third time. While studying for the fourth time I had a breakdown and literally couldn't move and had physical reactions towards studying for it again. I had to take a break and decided that I should take the opportunity to start studying dentistry in Germany. A decision that was purely head-based, not at all chosen with my heart.

This is now my third try of a study (having previously been in Rotterdam and Leuven) and it was horrible starting over again. Being in a different city was not the problem, but being in the first year over and over again, having to break the bonds that where just starting to grow in Leuven, well, it's something I wouldn't wish on anyone.

I have to say though, that I am very grateful that I was able to take this chance, that my parents supported me in every step although it meant more stress for them, more money to spend, and a fourth time to move my things around where they had to help. I am also very grateful for all the amazing people who stood by me in that difficult time, especially Louise, who, also, had a really difficult year, dealing with the same problems. I think that, although I am happy that 2013 is over, it also made me stronger and, most importantly, gave me one of my best friends: Lou. We fought together, side by side, always pushing each other to go further, to never give up.
I am also happy that 2013 was a year where no one around me got seriously sick or died. This may be a strange sentence to say, but there have been years when I wasn't able to say it.
I guess - life being the messy bits - there are never complete good or bad years. There are always ups and downs and sometimes you get more ups or more downs. All in all, 2013 (even though I do not want to relive you): I will cherish the good moments, the moments with my friends and family, the people I met, and also: the moment I realized I love studying in Regensburg. Because that's what last year gave me: A new opportunity. An opportunity I thought I would never get again, and I am sure as hell that I won't destroy that one and that it won't destroy me. I love dentistry and although it's very time consuming and a lot to do, I feel like I am starting to get a chance to go on in life.

As for 2014: I have a huge list. As always. But what I really want this year is finding out who I really am. After two really hard years - where I felt like I was loosing piece by piece of myself - I want to take that puzzle and put it back together. It won't be easy, I am sure of that. There will be ups and downs like there always are, but maybe this is the year where I come to terms with myself and be able to achieve, explore and feel more. There are concrete things I want to change, and there will be things that will change me. Things I haven't planned. Because I am not that stupid, believing making a list means that everything will automatically fall into place. That would be too easy. And I am also not sure whether I would want that.
So 2014: Let this 12 months start!

Thanks for reading!
Love, Jules

January 04, 2014

Favorite web shops

Because I have to study every day for some more weeks, I have no time to enjoy the winter sales in Belgium. I've found the perfect solution for this: web shops! You don't have to worry about the traffic or parking spots, no annoying children running through the shops, no claustrophobic feelings because of all the people, you don't lose time waiting in line to pay and above all: it's a perfect way to relax after a long day of studying! Here I give you a list with my favorite shops, enjoy!