1. Go out.
A day like this tends to make you stay inside so you won’t have to face all the happy couples on the streets and the loveable store windows. Look further than this and GO OUT! Put on your heart-shaped sunglasses and go for a ride, a drink, a movie, a shopping spree or just to enjoy the city that you’re in. Who knows you might even bump into your soulmate on Valentine’s Day…isn’t that desperate, right?

2. Bake, and bake, and bake.
When you still don’t feel like walking the streets, then don’t just sit on your ass all day. Bake cookies, bake pies, bake cupcakes, bake whatever you want. There are tons of recipes on the internet waiting for your magic baking hands to create them. Especially anything red velvet is good for Valentine’s Day. The whole house will smell super yummy, and replacing a lover with some other type of deliciousness isn’t that bad. Plus your cakes won’t let you down. If you bake them with love, that is. Hihi.

3. Create your own spa.
Nothing feels better than taking care of yourself. And nothing is more needed than doing that. Start with a long 40°C shower, then oil yourself from head to toe with your favourite products, paint your nails in a fancy red colour, put on your favourite parfume and experiment with new ideas for your daily make-up. Men, I’m pretty sure you might have some of your own spa-ish ideas as well and if not you should totally try to make it your routine every once in a while. Get creative and pretend like you have nowhere to be. A long day of ‘me, myself and I’.

4. Listen to music.
No, not music that wants to make you cry. We’ll leave those for another day. Happy, good and danceable music is what you need today. Nothing can influence your mood like music does. Bust some moves while you’re doing your above-mentioned spa routines or when you’re making some lunch or dinner. We all wanted to be rocking the stage at some point in our lives so why not pretend like we are right now? In our own room? Dance like nobody is watching and sing like nobody’s listening.

5. Tell someone you love them.
Wait, what? Yes! Do it! Take the chance today to tell those around you you love them. Whether it be your mom, your best friends, your colleague or whoever you feel like telling. It’s the perfect opportunity to tell them without feeling awkward about it. And honestly, it’s about time you tell that guy you’ve been checking out for ages that you like him. So step into your courageous boots and I guarantee you that it will feel like a weight lifted off your shoulders. I know that stuff is scarier than finding an 8-legged spider in the middle of your bed (I’m actually just guessing they have that many legs so don’t pin me down on it), but living with ‘what if’s are so much more worse. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

These tips should make you able to survive, and take them all with a grain of salt because honestly…Valentine’s Day is just another day in the life and actually a wonderful day to spread your love! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Last year I discovered WeTheUrban.com, an online publication dedicated to fashion, art, music, and culture run by a 17-year-old guy from the USA. How cool is that? A few months ago they launched their 4th digital magazine issue which contained the following photoshoot taken by Meagan Cignoli. A little late but I didn’t want to leave you out on these touching, simple and yet strong photo’s.

For more info or to read the magazine: http://www.wetheurban.com

Just opening up that pretty white box alone is already a great feeling. I can’t wait for the sunshine to come out again so I can wear these beauties all the time. Summer will be more fashionable than ever this year.

Want to get yourself a pair too? Or maybe from a brand like Dolce & Gabanna, Adidas, RayBan, or Versace?

Check out the collection at: http://www.smartbuyglasses.nl

We all have our own problems, depressing thoughts and reasons to not always feel the best we can be. Everything may go perfectly well and you may still feel like you’re walking around with a hole in your heart. And boy, can that hurt. There’s no need to push away that feeling somewhere deep down where nothing can reach it, because sooner or later you’re going to have to deal with it. Speaking of dealing with it, I think society nowadays seems to be scared to show their real feelings. I have so much respect for those who dó dare to tell what’s on their mind even if it’s not all roses and butterflies.

Annika, for instance. A lovely inspiring blogger from Sweden who does the coolest things, takes the most gorgeous photo’s and yet is currently fighting against cancer. The moment I read her first blogpost about this it made my heart sink to my shoes to realize that everyday there’s a chance your life can be turned upside down and maybe even taken from you by something you have totally no control over. Or take Mandy, a girl who is super succesfull with her website aimed at single women and not afraid to show how much it sucks when you can’t seem to find love, get dumped or have different values when it comes to relationships. Here I was thinking I was the only one.

Suddenly I realized that we must probably all have those days where you just want to dissapear from the world, cut all forms of contact and sit and wonder all day if anyone would miss you when you’re gone. The truth is, they will. But does anyone really love you? Truth is, they do. Then why can you still feel so sad? Truth is, I don’t really know. Ofcourse it’s not easy to understand why you see yourself differently in the mirror, or why no guy ever took the effort to tell you ‘I love you’, or why that other person always seems to easily achieve things you struggle so long for, or why something happens to you that don’t feel you deserve. What I do know is that there is no need to be ashamed for anything you feel for what you feel is true and can’t be judged by anyone else but you.

Along the way all the bumps on the road will not keep your wheels from spinning. They might in fact be there to keep your focus, to make you more grateful for the parts without bumps, to make you realize what you achieved in the end. Ever thought about it that way? I know, it takes time to change a ‘let me just eat chocolate, not think about a thing and watch movies in bed forever’-mood, but you’ll be surprised by how strong you can be if you really understand yourself. Don’t be afraid to listen to, look at and talk to yourself. You may eventually see that everything you are is exactly what you are meant to be.

You. :)

1. Hot Chocolate
How could I even leave that out? Hot chocolate is THE drink for winter and which I can’t do without. Starbucks probably has the best version of it, but a homemade mug full of hot chocolate to the edge including whipped cream gives you that winterfeeling like nothing else does. Try to put some caramel or honey in it for extra flavour. Mmmm.

2. New Girl
New Girl is a brand-new TV series that started about a month ago. Starring the pretty Zooey Deschanel as a girl who is looking for an apartment after breaking up with her boyfriend. She finds a place to share with three single funny guys and they have the craziest yet most recognizable things happen to them. Story enough already to make this a success, but it even tops all your expectations. I’ve been crying with laughter – literally – and it’s probably my favourite TV series of late.

3. Navajo Prints
I know, not very original anymore, but navajo prints have been a trend that I wasn’t hesitating about to follow. Originally coming from the Native Americans these complicated and creative textures have been used in fashion all over the world by now. It brought a lot of colour to the usually toned-down moods of these months and made it still look winterish! Especially jumpers with navajo prints are really fancy for the colder days. Or beanies. Or gloves. Too perfect not to wear.

4. Love
Ofcourse this isn’t just counting for this winter only, as it’s quite possibly the favourite ‘thing’ in my whole life. (Thing I say, because I still can’t really put my finger on what it actually is or how to name it.) I wanted to put it on this list because when it comes to winter, I think love is the most important gift to feel, share and give. Love has it’s crazy ways and it goes deeper than things – also known as problems – like time, place and reason. Listen to your heart and it might bring you love. True love.

5. Leather Clothes
All leather everything is almost becoming the new all black everything for me! It’s a great piece of fabric and a leather item makes your outfit rocks everyones socks instantly. Whether it be a pair of boots, a bag or the most daring; pants. Don’t be afraid to mix it up and go leather all the way, you can pull off multiple leather items if you wear it with class. Or try a different colour of leather than just the average black. Beige or camel, for instance. And did I already mention that it keeps you warm? Plenty of reasons to wear leather, I’d say.

6. Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey hasn’t exactly been under the radar since her first song ‘Video Games’ came out a few months ago. Even though she’s been overhyped and received a lot of critics for not being who she appears to be, I still find her music to be really unique. Her songs take you back in time and make you feel like you live in a romantic movie. I can relate to every piece of lyric she sings. Sometimes it’s just nice to dive into all your feelings on a rainy, sad and cold day with a bunch of songs that explain how you feel. Girls will be girls, I guess.

7. Snow
‘I really can’t staaay.’ ‘But baby, it’s cold outside!’ Snow is one of those wonders where nature seems to realize winter can be way too dark and brings a little light in the form of snow. So much joy when you open up those curtains on an early Sunday morning and see that thick pack of fresh snow where no one has walked in yet. Unfortunately in The Netherlands we’re not always sure of having snow throughout our winters, but once the flakes have fallen down you can rest assure I’m rolling around in it like a little child.

All around the park they have these cute little shops where you can buy countless sorts of gifts, clothes or souvenirs. I bought this fake fur Minnie Mouse beanie because it was quite cold and rainy. It looked surprisingly stylish, so my sister quickly took a few shots of me. The Sleeping Beauty castle is in the back, doesn’t it look super romantic? *Sigh*

We figured we’d need about 2 to 3 days to see the whole city and find out about the most awesome places. Ofcourse being in Paris around Christmas time is what you imagine to be; totally beautiful – the lights, the decorations, the music, the moods, it’s all there. People in The Netherlands are often a bit more down to earth when it comes to preparing for the holidays, but I’ve always loved a bit of cozyness and getting everything in style for Christmas.

What I enjoyed most was the Champs Élysées which was transformed into a huge Christmas village with wooden cottages, hot wine and churros. Omnomnom. On Christmas Eve it was even more exciting as Santa was there riding in his sleigh above the village. How cool is that?! By night time we went to see the Eiffel Tower which was actually less impressive than I thought it would be, but still a pretty sight to see. Ofcourse we couldn’t leave without a bit of shopping, so luckily I found a really cool leather bag, navajo print jumper and silver earrings. I’ve missed out on the vintage stores which Paris does seem to have, but I didn’t came across them anywhere. Pretty sure I’ll hop there again soon tho’ to see more of the city. Paris est tres jolie.

All you have to do is get a subscription through their website, pay €10 each month, fill in your preferences to match your own styling requirements and sit next to your mailbox eagerly waiting. No more pressure from annoying sales chicks that try to put you up with new products, you can just try them out at home now whenever and however you want. Be it cuticle removers, hand cream and nail polish for beautifully manicured hands or concealer, eyeliner, lipstick or lip gloss. Also, you can cancel the subscription at any time. Sounds good to me.