Time To Be

Summer has finally arrived and I got the perfect hot red shirt to accompany it. There's something about the heat that makes my inspiration flow so much sweeter. I guess I was made for the tropics.

This Michael Kors bag is exactly the right size to fit all my treasures for a busy day but still being conveniently small.

My layering has changed from clothes to jewellery. I could just wear it all at once.

Aaaand here we go again! These past months have been quiet on the outside but busy on the inside. I was in California and New York City for 3 weeks all in all and I have to say it was not an easy trip to leave behind. It seems like every time I visit the US, I loose another piece of my heart and I don't know if there's much left anymore…

I'm going to be honest here. I've started to write this blog a thousand times and deleted it as many. My heart has been overflowing with thoughts but none of them have sounded quite right in their written form. Maybe they haven't been ready for the daylight, maybe I'll keep them marinating a little longer and they'll come out bursting with incredible flavour. Or maybe my inner perfectionist has come out roaring.. But to break the silence, here I am!

I just finished the Master Cleanse last week and I have to say it did good to me. For those of you who haven't heard of it or all you have heard is about a quick fix to loose weight, let me fill you in a little. The reason I started was my never-ending-upset-stomach-syndrome. Through trial and error I've learned that my digestion can't handle gluten or dairy very well. But because I am a lover of food, I've talked my self into having a little treat every now and then by the excuse that a little can't hurt anyone. Oh how wrong I was. After ending up at daily cramps and the face of a teenager (food allergies can cause all kinds of skin disorders) I was ready to do whatever to calm. things. down. 

A few friends recommended the Master Cleanse and at the hight of my frustration, I took on the challenge. Ten days of no solid food, only homemade juice consisting of maple syrup, lemon juice, cayenne pepper and water (all organic of course). Not forgetting the cup of detox tea in the evenings and a nice saltwater flush in the mornings. Going to birthday parties, BBQ get togethers and weddings wasn't necessarily easy, but now talking from the other side, it was all worth it. My skin cleared up and most importantly, me and Mrs. Digestion are at peace again!

I also took the time to slow down. It felt like not only my body, but also my soul and spirit needed some detox. It felt good not having a phone (it broke half way through), being out of everyone's reach and free from the distractions of social media. I was forced to process through stuff I had been putting off for quite a while. Pushing through the inconvenient and uncomfortable seems to never have a right time, but it needs to be taken or else we begin to shut down. Body, soul or spirit. 

In our hectic, achiever centred lifestyle it can seem irrelevant to really stop and nurture oneself. But when we understand how truly wonderfully we are made and a what a gift life really is, being might turn into something more important (and productive) than doing…

xxx

Photos by Adriana Dobrin

Shirt: Madewell

Jeans: Zara

Shoes: H&M

Bag: Michael Kors

Music Mondays

Last week I got to see Justin Timberlake and the Tennessee Kids live. I've always adored Justin. His work has been relevant and filled with influences of the times when music was created from pure aching souls and joyful hearts and the rhythm written into our blood. Still, I didn't know that he is THAT good live! And I couldn't be any happier after hearing of this collaboration, two of my all time favourites on one track!

When I first heard about the release of Michaels new album Xcape, created from his unreleased material,"retooled to add a fresh, contemporary sound that retains Jackson's essence and integrity", I have to say I was a little nervous. Michael's production has been flawless, because of his complete devotion and love to the art of music. I'm not completely convinced about the whole album and I would love to hear what Michael thinks of it. But this song got me the moment I heard it. It has that same spirit and feel like an original classic of his would, and I can't think of a better anthem for this summer!

Enjoy!

xxx

Only Human

Cute floral dress meets Dr.Martens. My kind of love story.

I have been in a very paradox season for quite some time. On one side I've had abundance, more than I could have asked for. The other side has been yearning for the deepest longings of my heart to unravel and become reality, but not having hold of them yet. Thankfulness has kept me grounded, but dreaming big has forced me not to settle and move forward with every step. This has created a constant tension. I believe that we were created to live in that tension. We were created to constantly grow, evolve, invent, create, and push the limits that seem to bind us and see the magic that happens when people just don't give up.

Not too long ago scientists not only declared that the four-minute mile was impossible for a human being to run, but they also insisted that it would be extremely dangerous to the wellbeing of any athlete who attempted such barrier. In 1954 a British Medical student named Roger Bannister ran the mile in three minutes and fifty-nine point four seconds. After him that record has been broken thousands of times. It only took one man to show the rest of the world that what was holding them back, was only another limitation waiting to be broken by someone with a vision.

One of my hearts desires is to see slavery abolished. There are 27 million modern day slaves in the world and human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing activities of transnational criminal organisations and has an estimated global annual profit of over $30 billion. When you hear the stories and see the darkness that has spread vastly all over the world (there literally is no country that hasn't been affected by it), it's easy to lose heart and feel like nothing can be done. But what if Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King or Nelson Mandela had given up, because the task seemed impossible for a human being to achieve? 

I am still young and my journey is only beginning, but what I have learned is that impossibilities are meant to be redefined by someone with an open heart and unrelenting spirit. We have enough examples of people defying their circumstances and making history while doing so and they were mere human beings, just like you and me.

"I will not keep silent, I will not remain quiet until the vindication shines out like the dawn, salvation like a blazing torch."

xxx

Photos by Eino Manner

Dress: Zara

Leather Jacket: Zara

Shoes: Dr.Martens