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design » Mushroom Dana
I have always liked bamboo plants and the products made from them. I think it’s such a beautiful and unique plant. After I started researching how we can live a more sustainable life, I discovered that bamboo has so many properties which I did not know before. Now I’m just in love with it.
The journey to a more sustainable and eco-friendly life is a process that takes time and is made with little but consistent steps. Nowadays, it’s easier to have a cosy home and also care for the environment. We just need to see where we can make a few changes.
So If you’ve wondered how to start, the answer is very simple – start with stuff you use every day. For example, you can replace your plastic toothbrush with a biodegradable bamboo toothbrush.
More about Bamboo
There are many products made of bamboo, ranging from household items, clothing, cosmetics or jewellery and ending with buildings. There is even bamboo honey – the possibilities are endless.
As a material, bamboo is much more efficient than wood – it grows more quickly, requires little water, and doesn’t require any pesticides.
Bamboo is one of the most eco-friendly plants. It is a super sustainable alternative due to its naturally renewing properties:
anti-fungal
hardwearing
anti-bacterial
earth-friendly
odour resistant
100% biodegradable
helps rebuild eroded soil
regrows to its adult plant size in 3 to 5 years
produces 35% more oxygen than similar plants
requires far less water than similar plants (e.g. cotton)
Due to the fact that the production is more cost-effective than other similar materials, the items made from bamboo are much cheaper.
Also, bamboo forests are extremely valuable to the environment. They lower carbon levels, produce oxygen, control soil erosion, provide organic material, and conserve biodiversity. Isn’t it easy to fall in love with it?
So, if you need a little inspiration, here are some examples of bamboo products that we use every day for a more minimal and low waste home.
1. Bamboo (electric) Toothbrush
I think the first bamboo product I bought was a bamboo toothbrush. Recently, we discovered an electric bamboo toothbrush that totally changed everything. Christian and I are super excited about them.
They are made with compostable bamboo heads and plant-based bristles and are a true revolution for those who want more powerful teeth clean.
Dry brushing clears pores in the exfoliation process. It also helps to detoxify the skin by increasing blood circulation and promoting lymph drainage.
In the beginning, dry brushing your skin can feel a bit rough, but after a few brushes, your body starts to relax and to enjoy this healthy and beneficial pre-bath habit. My body loves it every time.
4. Bamboo Wooden Laptop Stand
I spend a lot of time on the computer due to the nature of my work. Last year, I had some shoulder problems due to an incorrect position in front of the computer, so I started investing more in things that could help me be more comfortable when working.
One of these things is this bamboo laptop stand that gives me a more ergonomic viewing height. I chose this model because it has a beautiful design, is ultra-lightweight, easy to use and easy to carry with me when I’m working remotely.
5. Japanese Bamboo Wind Chime
I like to use different objects that can help me go deeper and have a more profound experience in my meditation practice. For example, I started using the sounds of chimes a year ago and each time I hear them, a feeling of peace and gratitude runs through my whole body.
These chakra healing wind chimes are specially created with sound healing frequencies to heal a specific chakra and are also made from bamboo.
6. Montessori Wooden Toddler Knife and Cutting Board
An important aspect of kids’ development is teaching them to be independent. We noticed Arun’s interest in helping us in the kitchen, so we bought him this Montessori wooden knife for his birthday. Since then, he always cuts his fruits by himself and enjoys the process every time.
It is very important when you encourage independence in our kids but take into account the child’s age so they don’t handle tasks above their age. Each age has its freedoms and limitations.
7. Bamboo Side Lamp
I have had this lamp for six years now, I brought it with me from Romania when I moved to Denmark, and I still enjoy it every single time I use it. Each time I turn on the light in the bedroom, a sense of peace and cosiness surrounds me. The light it emits is perfect for relaxation and peace of mind. I adore it.
8. Reusable Cotton Rounds with a Bamboo Jar
I use make-up occasionally, but I still clean my face at the end of each day. It’s incredible how much dust can stick to our faces daily. These reusable cotton rounds are so soft to touch and the jar looks lovely in my bathroom.
9. Dynamic Copper-Nail
Meditating on dynamic nail boards can improve emotional and physical strength, focus and overall wellness. According to Chinese and Indian Ayurveda medicines, feet and hands have hundreds of acupressure points responsible for energy flow, relaxation, and the entire body’s health.
10. Wall hanging Baskets
I use these baskets in our bedroom as support for flowers, on the balcony for lights to make the balcony cozier, in the bathroom to store my brushes and hair ties and in the kitchen for towels. The colour and beautiful design make them fit everywhere with style.
11. Organic Bamboo Bed Sheet set
Sleep is an essential part of our well-being. It’s the time we regenerate the most.
I discovered the organic bamboo bed sheets recently and we are so pleased with them. They are made from 100% premium and organic bamboo fibre and are insatiably soft, cooling and moisturizing. Me and Christian love to tuck into them for a sweet and quality sleep.
The fabrics are Oeko-Tex certified for chemical safety and tested in an SGS lab for antibacterial properties.
12. Natural Bamboo Drinking Cup
Our daily smoothies look lovely and taste so good in these bamboo drinking cups. Arun is the biggest fan of them because they are easy to use and feel so fine to touch.
We couldn’t opt for a more suitable dining set for Arun. They are made from beautiful bamboo, kinder to the planet and nicer for little hands to touch, easy to wash and resistant to shocks. We all know how children love to experiment and that can be professional quality controllers.
Final Words
Now more than ever, it’s easier to find products that are affordable and made from sustainable materials that are good for our health and also have respect for this wonderful planet we live on. We can all make a difference and create a greener world today by switching to sustainable bamboo products and we can always start with little steps.
How are you contributing to a healthier ecosystem? Share your thoughts with this community. We are more than willing to find out new ways in which we can improve the quality of our lives.
I have always admired people who worked from home. From my perception, they worked less and had more free time to do also other things like pursuing a passion, going for a walk in the park in the middle of the day or resolving certain administrative issues. Overall, I believed they were more relaxed and happier in their lives.
Now that I have experienced working from home, I can say that I don’t necessarily have more free time, but surely I accomplish more in my personal and professional life. I am happier, more relaxed and my creativity doesn’t feel choked.
In the beginning, it was extremely challenging to shift my perspective from a fixed working schedule, 09:00 – 19:00 to a self-designed schedule. I had plenty of times when I felt like I was shadowing the earth in vain. So deep were certain beliefs rooted.
Fortunately, I managed with time to change my perception, be more organized with my time and start feeling productive in all aspects of my life.
So, if you just started working from home and you are searching for some productivity and creativity ideas, you have come to the right place. In this post, I will be sharing 9 productivity tips for working from home.
1. Create a schedule
I have made so many schedules and routines in the past two years that I lost track of them. After many trials and errors, some things stuck with me and I noticed that they helped me be more focused and accomplish more in a day.
One of these things is planning. Organising the things I have to do before I start working on them is an ideal way to save valuable time. Often, it seemed like a waste of time to take 2-3 hours to make a plan. However, every time I did this, I felt more relaxed, my mind was sharper, and the things I accomplished were many and better done.
It is not for nothing that it is said that things planned are half accomplished. It is like you are detaching from the situation and creating a clear picture of it. Suddenly, the weight of the unknown dissolves, leaving behind enthusiasm and a desire to stick to your schedule.
Keep in mind that different people have different working styles, and it might take some trial and error to figure out your own way. It is best to experiment with different approaches until you finally determine what kind of planning works for you.
2. Designate a workspace
Having your space well divided can help you much more than you can imagine. When I first started working from home a few years ago, I did most of the work on the couch. I was very driven to do something on my own and didn’t pay too much attention to how or where I was working.
After one year, I started having acute pain in my shoulder blades, so much that at one point, I couldn’t even work. I had to go to the chiropractor a few times to put my shoulders back in the correct position.
With time, I began to create and recreate my working space. It started small, with just a little desk and a chair, which eventually expanded into a whole room.
I had so much fun decorating my office, and now I enjoy every single moment I spend there. Also, I am more productive and I feel there is a healthy delimitation between work and family.
Having a cosy home and a working space where you are comfortable and productive is key to living a balanced and fulfilling life.
TIP #1: Don’t stress about having to buy new furniture. Check your Facebook marketplace to see if you can find something you like there. In this way, you will not need to invest a large amount of money and you will help the environment too. I got most of my furniture from there.
Yes, get dressed. Don’t be careless about yourself and your appearance even if you work from home. In fact, when you arrange yourself to go to work, you don’t do it so that other people will see you, correct? You take care of yourself because it makes you feel good. It gives you confidence and power in yourself.
It is the same when you have your office at home. Since I started my freelance journey, I have had days in which I worked in my pyjamas, but surely they weren’t my best and most productive days.
It felt ok at the beginning, but after a few hours, it seemed like I was somehow lost in time. My mind couldn’t figure out if it was leisure or work, morning or afternoon and besides these, I didn’t feel good about myself.
4. Opt for healthy food and snacks
I believe you already know that what you eat throughout the day affects the way you think and act, your productivity and your concentration level.
This is just a reminder for you to opt for healthy foods and snacks that can fuel you and not drain you. Also, always have a water bottle on your desk and within your reach. I guarantee you won’t even realize when you will finish it and in this way, you will stay hydrated too.
TIP #1: If you need inspiration on what you can eat during the day or what kind of snacks can fuel your body, check out Pick up Limes. I often make the recipes she recommends, and they always turn out to be delicious.
5. Plan your breaks
It can be very easy to lose yourself in work and forget to even get up from the chair and walk a few steps. This has certainly happened to me many times. Luckily, I now have a watch that reminds me to get up every 30 minutes. You can also set a timer on your phone or laptop to notify you every 30 minutes or one hour to take a break.
Research has shown that breaks can help us reduce stress when we work. We all know that the less stress we experience, the easier it is to be more productive and creative.
Observe the things that distract you throughout the day and do your best to avoid them at any cost. Types of distraction; phone notifications, emails, phone calls, your husband asking what to pick up from the market or your kid who wants to play with you. Basically, anything that interrupts your flow when you feel you are fully immersed in what you are doing.
There’s a reason that distractions threaten our work output: According to a University of California Irvine study, “it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back to the task.” Pretty much for a simple interruption, don’t you think?
TIP #1:What can we do instead to refresh our minds and be more creative? A good thing to do is gaze on a window. Looking out of a window can give us a quick cognitive boost. It provides a micro-break for our brains, a micro-rest that can be very helpful for our attention.
7. Develop routines
Habits can help us be more driven, focused and productive in all aspects of our lives. But it is important to cultivate uplifting routines like morning routines or evening routines that will prepare us for success.
TIP #1: Declutter and ventilate your working space before starting to work.
TIP #2: Check your to-do list and write down your priority tasks for the next day, after finishing work. In this way, you will know exactly where to start the following day.
At one point, these actions will become familiar, part of your daily life, and you will not even see them as to do things but rather, natural things that you do effortlessly.
If you are not living alone and your only concern is stopping your cat from parading in front of your laptop, then you need to communicate very clearly your boundaries.
No matter how much you intend to stick to your plan and be productive, at one point, you will be distracted. Especially if you have kids. I think many of us have experienced at least once the frustration of being completely absorbed in getting something done and being interrupted by your kid.
So having some clear boundaries can help prevent moments of frustration and feelings of guilt that often accompany such moments.
Yes, if the kids are little, we can’t expect them to understand and respect those boundaries fully. In this case, the discussion should be with the other adult that is taking care of the child.
TIP #1:I can say that many times when I told my son that I needed 5-10 minutes to finish something, he understood and gave me a few minutes to finish what I was doing. For this to work, you always, ALWAYS have to keep to your word. After those 5-10 minutes, you go and give him/her your full attention. In this way, you will create a healthy communication between you two.
9. Go easy on yourself
We have the power to be our worst judge and enemy or our best supporter and source of motivation. The choice is always at a change of perception distance.
Often, we think that we could have accomplished more in a day than we actually did. When we begin to rebuke ourselves over the things we haven’t done, instead of congratulating ourselves for the things we did do, we settle ourselves for frustration and low self-esteem, among others.
Speak kindly with yourself, using positive, encouraging and uplifting words that will settle your mind for expansion and greatness.
Working from home can be both challenging and extremely rewarding. I believe a lot has to do with how we manage to organize ourselves and find the flow that works best for each of us. There is no right plan to follow.
Still, certain things can make our workflow feel more creative, productive and fulfilling. Those things can be schedules, routines, healthy fuels for the body, communicating boundaries, gazing through a window or having a beautiful place where you enjoy working. It is up to you to find what fills your heart with joy and your mind with creativity.
If you put into practice some of the ideas presented above, please share your experience with us. It will be wonderful to know how they improved your productivity.
Good gifts have the power to inspire and change people. But when we consider the different aspects that make a good gift — the needs that a person has, the time invested, your personal touch, a sprinkling of love. Then the result is almost always the same; a smile on the face, a feeling of joy that rushes in the body, and a sense of connection and gratitude on both sides. These are moments to remember. We always remember the people who made us feel cherished and appreciated. gift ideas
Let your gifts have an impact in this world, be remembered and be an inspiration for others. Gifts have the power to change perspectives, so use every chance you have to do so.
I know it’s not an easy task, especially if you are a person who cares for others. This is why I thought that this blog post could be of help. So let’s get through them and find the perfect gifts for your family and friends.
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Thank you!
Books
When I was younger, I couldn’t understand how someone could be happy when receiving a book as a gift, even though I wanted to be one of those people. Now, many years later, I can’t understand how someone wouldn’t be happy when receiving a book. Well, I know how, but you got the point. Books have this incredible power to inspire and change people. These are some of the books I read and listened to this year and that touched me in various ways.
The Bhagavad Gita by Eknath Easwaran
This book carved deep into me and my ego. I listened to it four times and had some of the chapters on repeat many more times until I learned the phrases. Bhagavad Gita means “Song of the Spirit” — the divine communion of truth-realization between man and his Creator, the teachings of Spirit through the soul.
It is a timeless book that has changed the lives of so many people and mine also. The truths contained in this work are indisputable. The Bhagavad Gita turned my world around. It is the best book I have ever encountered in my life.
Raising Boys in the 21st Century by Steve Biddulph / Raising Girls in the 21st Century by Steve Biddulph.
Oh, these books are such a treasure. I believe parents know instinctively how to raise their children. This is normal. But when we live in an abnormal world, we sometimes don’t recognize our instincts and gut feelings.
Fortunately, some writers out there can gently guide us with the help of the medical, psychological, physiological and emotional knowledge they have acquired over many years of research.
Raising Boys/ Raising Girls are two friendly and practical guides to the stages and issues in boys’ and girls’ development, from birth to manhood and womanhood.
Fully Human by Steve Biddulph
In this book, the author describes personal stories from his own life and those of his clients. He shares the knowledge behind each story. Also, he speaks about the frontiers of thinking — how the brain works with the body and the wisdom of the ‘wild creature’ inside all of us.
At the peak of a lifetime’s work, one of the world’s best-known psychotherapists and educators shows us how we can be more alive and more connected to one another.
Fully Human had a significant impact on me and the way I now listen to my gut feelings. As a result, I pay more attention to them and I recognize them much faster. In addition, this book helped my logical mind connect much faster with my other inner worlds.
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
I don’t think you can go wrong with this book, maybe only if you give it to the 0.0001% of the people that doesn’t like Matthew McConaughey.
“It shouldn’t surprise you that this book is good, but it will surprise you just how good it is. Wise and entertaining, this is an inspiring memoir and how-to from one of the great outlaw philosophers and artists of our time.” — Ryan Holiday, author of The Daily Stoic.
“McConaughey’s book invites us to grapple with the lessons of his life as he did, and to see that the point was never to win, but to understand.”— Mark Manson, author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*CK
I enjoyed Greenlights to the fullest. I laughed and I cried, I was inspired, stunned and empowered. It was a true pleasure to hear it. I recommend listening to the book read by Matthew. It’s a delight for your ears.
I am enough: Mark Your Mirror And Change Your Life by Maris Pear
If you started your self-understanding and self-development journey, this is a book to read. “I am enough” gives a great insight into our thoughts, feelings and how this affects our entire being.
How our words and thoughts affect our lives, how we came to think the way we think, and why saying I am enough can prepare your life for the changes you have long waited for.
Digital wall art
I have created a series of printable posters inspired by the quotes and messages I have encountered in my life. Digital art plays a significant role in my life. These posters are expressions of my creativity, feelings, understandings and passions.
I believe they can be beautiful and inspiring gifts that can bring a ray of sunshine and gratitude for life, in the lives of those who will receive them. If you feel the same, you can find all my posters in the shop. You will need to download the files, print them, frame them and wrap them as a gift. The file will include all the details for printing and framing. See all digital art.
Apps
We all use apps nowadays and pay every month for some of them. If you have an app that you think is useful for you and that has helped you in any way, you can share it. Make a monthly or annual app subscription as a gift so the person would experience and benefit from it. Below are two apps I regularly use and that have improved my life.
FitOn
This is an app for movement, which I have been using for a year now. They have many kinds of exercises — yoga, fitness, meditation, pilates and much more. You can choose programmes depending on your available time or even participate in live training—all for free.
FitOn also has a paid plan in which you receive personalised meal plans, 500+ exclusive recipes, offline downloads and many other things. The price is 39 USD per year.
Balance
This app is balanced and brings balance. It has innovative experiences, like Vibration-Based Immersive Meditations or Interactive Wind Down Single. The voices are pleasant and peaceful, and the plans are well thought out.
Balance breaks down meditation into concrete and trainable skills, and it tracks the time you spend practising each day. I have found myself applying things from their meditation in my other meditations or at times, during the day. Things like posture correction, face relaxation or breathing techniques.
The app is free for the first year. Afterwards, the price is 17 USD per month.
Sustainable
Natural Coconut Bowls & Spoons
These coconut bowls originate from the Bên Tre region in Southern Vietnam. For many years, the local farmers have made a modest income from selling coconut by-products such as coconut oils and coconut milk. Once harvested for their prized possessions, they burn the discarded cocos shells to make way for the new crops.
By using these coconut bowls, you are helping to provide the local farmers with a secondary income and preventing more coconuts and trees from being needlessly burned as waste.
Palo Santo from Peru. Sustainably Harvested – 100 Grams
Palo Santo is an enchanting tree that grows in the coastal areas of South America. It is related to Copal, Myrrh, and Frankincense. Palo Santo means “Holy Wood”. Shamans and healers traditionally burn it for its energetic purification and healing attributes. When burned, it produces an enriching aroma that increases your vibration when preparing for meditation. It also leaves a delightful and lasting fragrance in your space.
*SERFOR National Forest Service and Wildlife certified.
Zero Waste Gift Box
We all have to start somewhere, so why not now? Many of my friends and family members don’t know where and how to start living more sustainably — what to buy or not, which products to change, where to start and so on. If you’ve had some of these thoughts or discussions, don’t waste this opportunity to make a change. Push the boat out with this Zero Waste Gift Box on the plastic free journey. Little by little, we can end the plastic regime.
Tree of Life Alignment Cork Mat
The Scoria Cork Mat delivers supreme traction when practising your movements. The mat is made of natural cork and natural rubber. Besides, it has a beautiful design and has no PVC, Perr, TPE or harsh chemicals.
The brand offers a portion of their income to support play-based education for life skills & healthy living for indigenous youths in partnership with Right To Play.
Children
Play kits from Lovevery
I like this brand so much because it has beautiful and creative toys made with care and sustainably harvested wood, organic cotton, non-toxic paint, and baby-safe plastics. Their play products are designed by child development experts and distilled to their simplest, purest purpose: to be exactly what children need at each stage.
Lovevery brings academics, researchers, and practitioners from a wide range of disciplines together for a holistic approach that is simple, accessible and relevant to you and your baby.
Besides this, they offer the possibility to subscribe to their play kits and receive them at the right time for your baby, when your child hits new milestones — 0-12 months, one year, two years or three years.
Montessori children’s knife and cutting board: handmade.
Children love to help and be independent under our careful supervision. From my experience with Arun, cutting his banana at the age of 2 years and 4 months was empowering for him. He felt so proud of himself and his achievement.
Both elements of this set are handmade! All corners of the boards are milled out and individually polished by hand so that everything is nice and soft and flatters the hands. The “knives” are manually tapered for sharpness and edges are smoothed to give a comfortable hold in a small hand. The knife and board are rubbed with a mixture of beeswax and linseed oil. The product is natural, contains no chemical elements and smells pleasantly of wood.
Wooden Archery Set for Boys and Girls (engraved with child name)
Archery helps to train kids to be more focused on each task at a time.
This Archery Set will help your child to set goals and also know how to set them. This is very important for personal growth. It allows you to realise what needs to improve and then set goals to hit those new targets. Archery helps our kids learn how to set these goals, a skill they can adapt into their day-to-day life.
Learning how to become an archer is very much a step-by-step method i.e nocking the arrow, drawing the bow, aiming and finally shooting. Arun alawys has a great time when he plays with his archery set.
Wooden Tea Set Toy (custom colour choice)
This cute handcrafted Wooden Tea Set has everything little ones need to host the perfect tea party. Mix and match with cake and cupcakes to create a perfect party scene. It will make an original and eco-friendly gift for Christmas or any other occasion.
Wooden Magnetic Fishing Toy
This Wooden Fishing Toy is a helpful gift for boys and girls. The toy is carefully polished and impregnated with edible linseed oil and beeswax. It is fun and helps your child develop motor skills.
Leaf Play Mat from Natural Linen
This stylish leaf shaped rug is inspired by nature. The outer material is 100% natural high quality linen. Inside contains hypoallergenic silicone fibre. I adore this leaf. It makes Arun’s room so playful, natural and vivid. We have had a yellow leaf since it was born, and he has used it so many times.
Montessori Wooden Play Kitchen—Mahogany Wood
If you’re in for something big, check out these beautiful kids kitchens. They caught my attention and admiration.
The bespoke wooden play-sets are made locally, from outsourcing materials from distributors in the EU to make them sustainable and eco-friendly. The brand uses FSC certified Baltic Birch Plywood, 0% VOC plant-based hard-wax oils and water-based eco paints (EN 71-3:2019), safe for kids. So your little ones can actually place food and “cook” there.
For Everyone
Kalimba gift ideas
Kalimbera produces high-quality handcrafted Kalimbas from pine and mahogany wood. They also have very nice features — you can engrave a symbol or a name on your Kalimba, for each Kalimba sold, they plant a tree somewhere in the world, they offer free shipping worldwide.
I have had my Kalimba for quite a while now and I can say with all my heart that it is such a great instrument. It’s easy and fun to play and the sounds are a delight for the ears.
If you will want to purchase a Kalimba from Kalimbera, be sure to insert code – mushroomdana – and you will receive a 6% discount on your order.
Love Cocoa gift ideas
How doesn’t love chocolate? Love Cocoa has 200 years of tradition in the chocolate industry. They use single-origin cacao, which is in the top 8% of the World. Their cacao is from Colombia, Peru and Ecuador, handcrafted into unique luxury chocolates, and presented in beautiful chocolate boxes. As a result, they have the finest chocolate in the world.
One bar = One tree. Love Cocoa plants a tree for all chocolate bars, nibbles and truffles they sell. All their products are so tasty, refined and beautifully packed. They also have vegan products.
Smart Natural Wood Mini Book Light – Walnut
The natural wood Smart Mini Book Light is a beautiful piece of art for any home. When closed, this smart light masquerades a laser-cut wooden book. When opened, it transforms into a sculptural light that emits a beautiful ambient warm LED light through the pages.
This design opens to full 360 degrees with cleverly concealed magnets. It has lovely soft touch papers that are lighted up by long-lasting LED lights. It is tear-proof and water-resistant.
London Nootropics gift ideas
Mushroom coffee is a blend of coffee and medicinal mushroom extracts. London Nootropics use lion’s mane and cordyceps mushrooms along with other adaptogens with synergistic properties.
Medicinal mushroom extracts are adaptogens – they help our bodies and minds adapt to physical, mental and emotional stressors. Blending them together with a fine micro-ground coffee creates an earthy, delicious cup of coffee with additional health benefits.
This can be an incredible gift for a coffee lover. Experiencing new things is always a good thing for our physical and mental health.
Sacred Geometry Wall Art
A mandala is a magnificent and harmonious symbol denoting symmetry and universal unity. It carries positive energy and a creative beginning. Beautiful reliefs and forms of this wall decoration perfectly complement both classic and any thematic interiors of various spaces.
I have times when I meditate looking at the mandala on my wall. It gives me a sense of peace and order.
Smart Diffuser Lamp – White Ash
I simply adore diffusers. They make homes cosier, beautiful and with the suitable essential oils, more healthy too.
The Smart Diffuser Lamp can help you to relax while enjoying the beautiful light that radiates from it. A portable and natural wood ambient desk light with a seamlessly integrated copperplate oil burning diffuser.
Cosiscoop Terracotta Fire Lantern
We love to spend time outside, on our terrace and gaze into the fire. It gives a sense of calm and peace that remains with us for many days that follow.
Cosi Fires Terracotta Fire Lantern can inject some homey ambiance into your outdoor evenings too. Whether it is dinner around the garden table or a casual drink on the balcony, the terracotta fire lantern is the ideal way to warm up as the night draws in.
Environmental & Child Care
I believe we need to rethink gifting in order to make it greater than ourselves. It has to serve greater purposes too. Step by step, we can transform the heavy impact on this planet, resulting from our messy lifestyles. Below are three organizations you can consider when thinking of a gift. It is always a good idea to offer a donation for a cause as a gift, in the name of the person receiving the gift.
Nori
Our warming atmosphere puts us on a collision course with extreme weather, food shortages, mass extinction, and social unrest. We’ve already emitted more carbon than we are supposed to, and we’re not reducing it fast enough. The threat is real and it will affect everyone.
We need to radically reduce our carbon emissions and remove the excess from our atmosphere to avoid climate catastrophe. This is where Nori comes into place.
I found out about this website through Kalimbera. They are partners with this brand, and for each Kalimba sold, they plant a tree. I find the idea so inspiring and beautiful. So why not expand it. I believe planting a tree for someone as a gift is something unique and beneficial to all of us.
Tree-Nation is the simplest way for people and companies to plant trees around the world. I know, we all want to plant trees and not someone else in our place. But until we actually do it, we can try this way too. So make a memorable gift to your beloved ones and to the planet. Plant a tree.
You will receive a certificate with the person’s name and the place where your trees will be planted.
Save the childrengift ideas
This is a humanitarian independent organization for children that helps protect children and ensure they survive and thrive. Save the children is an organization that has helped numerous children so far.
Children are the most vulnerable and precious treasures we can ever have. The adults that surround us were once children who maybe needed the involvement of caring and supportive adults.
Donate on behalf of your friends or family and offer them this as a gift. Don’t you believe that someone who will receive such a present will feel good in his heart? Knowing that he contributed to something greater than himself?
Homemade
This kind of present can complement the other gifts you have chosen to make. For me, this is the love and fun part. How better can you express your love for someone if not through something you have made with your hands? The secret ingredients of such gifts are your time and love. Two ingredients that money can’t buy.
Needless to say that it can be a fun activity to have with your kids. They will feel involved in something beautiful and creative. They will be empowered and their self-esteem will grow exponentially.
Cookies
How will it be if this year, you do three things at once? Spend time with your children, cook some delicious cookies and also make a few presents? I know, it sounds crazy and fun.
This simple and easy cookie recipe will delight the entire family and be fun for kids to make it. It is healthy, beautiful and vegan. The recipe is for around 100 cookies in 5 different flavours. See the recipe.
Bath Tea
We all know the benefits of drinking a cup of tea, but did you know that you can also bathe in tea and enjoy numerous benefits? Bath time is a time of relaxation and pleasure, so why not take it to the next level and bathe in minerals and flower petals. This can be a beautiful and useful gift you can offer to everyone because we all need a long, relaxing and nourishing bath.
Men can also receive these bath teas. You will only need to change some ingredients as described below.
Ingredients for her
Dried roses
Dried lavender
2 cups Epsom salt
Dried calendula
Dried chamomile
Essential oil of your choice – lavender, bergamot, patchouli, eucalyptus.
Ingredients for him
Dried lavender
Dried cornflowers
2 cups Epsom salt
Essential oil of your choice – vetiver, peppermint, sacred sandalwood, ginger, tea tree.
Instructionsgift ideas In a container, mix the ingredients for her and in another container mix the ingredients for him:
2 cups Epsom salt
10 drops of essential oil
3 tablespoons of lavender
4 tablespoons of calendula
3 tablespoons of chamomile
4 tablespoons of roses/cornflowers
Packaging Pour the Epsom Salt Tea you just made in small jars or small bags (use muslin or tea bags). If you use bags, store them in an airtight jar until ready to use. Advise your dear ones who will receive this gift to drop one bag into the bathwater, hang it under the running water or pour two spoons in the bathtub.
Roses & cornflowers – soothe the skin, add fragrance, and look so beautiful in a bath.
Epsom salt – detoxifies, soothes sore muscles, reduces stress and inflammation.
Lavender & chamomile – calms you down and prepares you for a better sleep.
Calendula – has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Stovetop Holiday Potpourri
Let the natural aroma of Christmas fill the souls and homes of those you love. This easy-to-make stovetop potpourri are the perfect treat for friends and neighbors. Let your creativity run wild and create some fantastic gifts. gift ideas,
What do you need gift ideas,
Cloves gift ideas,
Star anise gift ideas,
Cinnamon sticks
Pine sprigs, fig branch or rosemary
Dried orange, grapefruit, lemon or apple slices
Nutmeg & cinnamon powder (half and half a teaspoon)
Packaging gift ideas
Jars gift ideas
Gift tags gift ideas
Red and white twine, jute or ribbon
How to gift ideas
Insert all the ingredients from above in a jar, making sure they are arranged exactly to your liking.
Instructions gift ideas
The person who will receive the jar will have to turn the content into a pot, cover it with water, simmer it on low heat and enjoy the unforgettable smell.
I hope you found my proposal interesting, beautiful and easy to make. Please leave me a comment if you have tried any of my recommendations or if you have others you wish to share with us. We will love to discover new inspiring gift ideas.
Arun moved into his bedroom and we have finally gotten our bed back. I can’t believe how much space our room has and how long a night can be. Montessori bedroom
After we moved into our new apartment, it took us a few days to arrange his room. Having days of seeing us entering his room and not knowing what was happening inside made Arun more curious and enthusiastic.
The reveal correlated with his second anniversary, so the bedroom was also a part of his present. His reaction was worth all the wait and work that Christian and I put into it. You can see how it all went on my Instagram account, where I posted his first moments and reactions.
I appreciate Maria Montessori philosophy. I got so much of my inspiration from there. Other sources of inspiration that I got regarding my overall approach to Arun’s development were gotten from these great authors which I warmly recommend.
In this blog post, I will walk you through some basic information regarding Maria Montessori principles and how to apply them when planning to arrange your kid’s room. Asides from this, I will also mention some elements that I consider to be important for the development of our children.
Maria Montessori philosophy Montessori bedroom
Maria Montessori was an Italian doctor who believed that education should prepare a person for all aspects of life. Her philosophy consists of nurturing each child’s natural desire for knowledge, understanding, and respect.
She inspired creativity and independence in the classroom and at home by encouraging teachers and parents to create spaces where everything is within a child’s reach, even from a very young age. The bedroom, the kitchen, bathroom, living room, and entrance can be adapted so children can feel welcome and independent.
There’s no need to be an interior designer or a Montessori expert to create a beautiful and inspiring bedroom. You just need some simple tips that will trigger your creativity. The most important thing to have in mind is that simplicity and naturalness are the keys.
The primary use of a bedroom is for dressing, changing, meditating and sleeping. It is a safe place where the child can find comfort, peace, harmony, and inspire independence — a place where we all recharge and connect with ourselves.
Colours and paint Montessori bedroom
The colours and paint to be used need to be peaceful and harmonious for the bedroom to invite such qualities in our children. For instance, neutral and natural tones are preferred because they promote a sense of calm. In addition, the lighting should be soft and warm, with minimal glare.
Even though I’m not a painter, I decided to try my luck and paint Arun’s room. Pinterest is a source of inspiration for me, so I did my research and started the preparations. I chose to paint mountains because they are a significant part of our life. Also, I thought it would be easy and fast to make them, which was, to some extent.
First, I drew some straight lines in the shape of a mountain with decorative masking tape. Then I painted the inside of the figures. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of buying a tape that was too wide, so the distance between the mountains was a bit too big. Because of this, after I finished, I had to correct all sides, so it took a bit longer than I had in mind.
If you decide to make these shapes and want your mountains to be pasted together like in my final result, you need to make one mountain with one colour. Then, wait for it to dry completely, apply the tape right on the dried mountain’s interior line and paint the other mountain with a different colour.
For the moon, I used one pin, a thread and a pencil. First, I tied the pencil to one end of the thread and the pin to the other end. Next, I placed the pin where I wanted the moon to be and made a circle using the pencil. After this, I adjusted the size of the thread according to how big I wanted the moon to be. Finally, I applied the paint two times.
What I used:
4 Paint boxes 0,70 L (I only used 45% of the green paint for the mountains, 20% of the light colour for the other mountains, and 5% for the moon)
Brushes of different sizes
2 Paint Roller Tray
2 paint rollers
Paper to cover the floor
3 Decorative Masking Tapes of different sizes
A thread
A pencil
A pin
Tip – after I applied the tape, I dabbed the tape with a damp towel to make it stick better on the sides. In this way, the lines came out straight, and the paint didn’t go under the tape.
The bed
A floor bed is an essential part of the Montessori bedroom. There are a lot of brands that have started producing gorgeous and creative floor beds. But if you are a little handy, I encourage you to try making your child’s bed by yourself. Floor beds enable freedom of movement, independence, and mobility which eventually teach kids the freedom of thought.
After we researched for some days, Christian and I decided that it would be a great experience to craft Arun’s bed. We found some ideas on Pinterest, decided on the measurement and started building it. We chose to make a tent-shaped bed.
What we used:
Nine pieces of wood cut to size (the dimensions depend on the size of the mattress)
A wood saw
Some screws
12 metal corners
Paint
It took Christian about four hours to make it, including mounting, and it took me about one and a half hours to paint it. I applied the paint twice.
Changing and dressing area Montessori bedroom
We placed all Arun clothes, diapers, socks, and blankets within his reach. When having clothes within arm’s reach, children develop a sense of responsibility and independence. It can also help you because your child will be more than happy to go and choose his socks. For instance, I discovered that every time he picks his clothes, he is much more cooperative and willing to dress without resistance.
We have a big mirror in our wardrobe, but we decided to place one in his bedroom. When I told him that he would have his mirror, he was super excited. So now, every time he wants to see something for himself, he goes straight there. I even caught him a few times talking to himself in the mirror. It was adorable.
For kids under 18 months, the mirror works as a cognitive concept. They can see the cause and effects of their movements. With time they will make sense of themselves in relation to the child they see in the mirror.
Play and movement Montessori bedroom
In a Montessori bedroom, the toys are carefully curated with limited but inspiring choices. Natural materials, life inspired toys and books, natural colours, and textures.
At the moment, we placed in Arun’s room a wooden tractor, a wooden skittle he received from his aunt, a music box, a wooden whirligig, a wooden puzzle and a toolbox where we place shells, pinecones or rocks we find in our journeys outside. Also, we put some stuffed animals; a giraffe, a jellyfish, a hedgehog and Pluto, the bear he sleeps with. Besides toys, we placed a few books near his bed.
We change his books and toys every 7–14 days. In this way, there’s always something fresh and exciting to capture his imagination and interests. However, he does have a book that is his favourite, Milton’s Secret by Eckhart Tolle, which always remains.
If you don’t know where to start, you can check out Lovevery’s Montessori-based subscription box. They send beautiful toys that target various ages and stages once every two months.
Altar
This is not among the Montessori philosophy. But it is something I consider essential for our kid’s emotional and spiritual development. It doesn’t matter what you believe in or how you choose to name this supreme force that holds the space for us – God, Buddha, Jesus, Krishna, you name it.
Placing a little shelf with elements that instil a sense of peace, gratitude and humbleness will teach our kids these values that are much needed. It can be anything: a flower, incense, crystals, a picture of a deity, anything that is a representation of this magnificent energy. I believe this will help our children for the rest of their lives.
I have mornings when Arun sees me meditating, then goes into his room, picks up his crystal and sits beside me in a lotus pose. It only takes one breath, but the feeling is priceless.
A part of our bedtime routine is to clear the home with Palo Santo. This action calms him and makes a smoother transition to bedtime. He takes his Palo Santo and starts blessing and cleaning his toys, the kitchen, the hanger, the shoes, the plants and everything he sees.
Everything that involves fire – incense, palo santo, sage, candles – needs to be done under your careful supervision.
Other
I also placed a children laundry basket in his room, some pictures with our families, a speaker and plants.
Children want to learn and to helps us in any way they can. This is an essential part of their development, so encouraging their adorable efforts will significantly impact their independence. For example, it is cute to see Arun taking his dirty clothes and staking them into the laundry basket.
The speaker makes the atmosphere in the room more peaceful. We play in the background symphonic music, nature sounds or meditation music. The plants make the space more beautiful and alive, and they also clean the air. Christian taught Arun how to water the plants, and now he is the one who cares for them.
Costs
We tried to minimise the expenses and be as friendly as possible with the ecosystem. There are things I never buy second hand, and there are things I buy second hand. In this case, the closet and the shelves were both second hand from Marketplace, and I managed to find them almost new.
The two most expensive items, I believe, were the paint and the mattress. I paid for the colours and all the accessories somewhere around 200€. But I ended up painting in the other rooms with the same paint, so I believe a fair price only for Arun’s bedroom will be 100€.
If I have to give a rough estimate of how much it all costs, I believe it will be somewhere around 400 – 500€, including a new mattress and sheets. But the prices may vary from one country to another, and Denmark is an expensive country. So it is possible, depending on the region, to make all this with less.
Final words
I have to say that I sincerely enjoyed organising Arun’s bedroom. The energy we invested in every element we made or intentionally settled in his bedroom gave a cosy and happy feeling to the room, which Arun instantly connected with. He slept there from the first night without any hesitation.
I hope you found a bit of inspiration and that you will allow your creativity to express itself. You can create a loving and beautiful bedroom for your little one.
If you need more inspiration regarding this subject, you can follow my Pinterest board, where I pin new ideas constantly. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. I will be more than happy to answer them.
On this planet, our first home is our bodies, and our second home is the places in which our bodies live, our houses. I believe both our homes need the same care and affection because they can work together in offering us a balanced and happy life. Making our homes cosy is a process of self-discovery and self-love.
This article will give you some ideas about how you can make your home a cosy and peaceful sanctuary. We always return home to rest and recharge, so why not create a place where we can spend lots of time without feeling uncomfortable. I believe investing our time and effort in crafting a peaceful home is an investment in our well being — a kind of respect we want to offer ourselves.
One of the most important aspects of having a cosy home is cleaning. Living in a clean house is crucial for our mental health, happiness and fulfilment. A study led by associate professor NiCole R. Keith, a research scientist and professor at Indiana University, found that people with clean houses are healthier and happier.
Living in a calmer environment can significantly impact our day-by-day life, our state of mind, and all those around us. Here are some of the things I do that makes my home and my life balanced and peaceful.
See
Fresh flowers
Oh, flowers, one of my big loves. I dream of having fields of flowers, of walking among them every day and be mesmerised by their beauty and fragrance.
I like to have flowers in my home. They bring grace and beauty to every room they enter. One of the places I like to display them is at the front door. I read in a book that having flowers at the entrance makes a home welcoming.
I wanted to see if this was real, so I experimented and bought a bouquet of sunflowers and placed it in the hall at our apartment entrance. For two weeks, the first thing I saw when I was entering the house were those flowers. I have to say that every single day they brought a smile to my face and a feeling of peace.
I encourage you to do this experiment and see what emotions you experience.
Light
Adjust the light in your home for every situation. During the day, let natural light enter inside as much as possible. The light of the day has superpowers. It helps you have a clear mind, be more productive and happier.
When night comes, opt for a soft, diffused light that works best in creating a cosy and warm atmosphere. Globe lamps are best to cast a diffused light in your space.
Using little lights all around your home to help you move around, instead of the brighter ones, will maintain melatonin’s natural production. Melatonin is a hormone primarily released by the pineal gland at night and has long been associated with sleep-wake cycle control.
I use LED candles from Ikea that start at the same time every night and close after 6 hours. The candles give a cosy flickering light like a real candle and are a safe alternative for homes with children.
Art and a cosy home
I love art. I believe that art is one of the most beautiful gifts of this life. Art has the power to bring us to tears or to lift us in places in which we never even imagined being. When I say art, I mean everything that has the power to awaken something in you.
A piece of art is something that you look at, which can stimulate emotions like joy, calmness, peace, sadness, rage, love, etc. I prefer to be surrounded by objects that awake my feelings, that vibrate at higher energy, although I also appreciate works that arouse oppressive emotions.
In my home, I have some objects that instil a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere. If you have an item that sparks in you this kind of feelings, I encourage you to give that object a place of honour. It will bring you more joy, and there is every chance that everyone who will see it will feel the same.
Candles
All my life, I have been captivated by the warm and diffused light of candles. There is something in that light that invites meditation and calm almost in every circumstance. Arun and I made a habit of lighting 1-2 candles every night before bed, after turning off the lights. Our house instantly enters another state, and we, with it. We become calmer and slower in gestures and movements, and this is really nice.
I also light up a candle in the morning when I set my intentions for the day. This ritual makes me more present, aware and grounds my intentions.
Nowadays you can find varieties of candles, but that doesn’t mean that all of them are good. Some may have different toxic ingredients, like paraffin or maybe petroleum-derived. So I encourage you to use products that are 100% naturally made of soy wax or beeswax and are phthalate-free.
I like the candles from Brandt Kaarsen. Their candles are made of soy wax, premium oils and are 100% natural.
Hear
Naturesounds
The best sounds are those you can find in nature. Nothing compares with the power, the deepness and the frequencies made by nature. Birds, ocean, rain, frogs and many other sounds alike are the best music for our ears.
This is the music that always awakens our senses, brings us peace and instils the feeling of cosiness and grounding (a therapeutic technique that involves doing activities that “ground” or electrically reconnect you to the earth). A cosy home is perfectly blended with and in nature. Check out my article Grounding, When Was The Last Time You Walked Barefoot? if you are interested to know more about this practice.
Music
We don’t always have the opportunity to be surrounded by natural sounds. But we are fortunate enough to have great composers who have written incredible musical works that have the power to stimulate our senses.
In our home, we listen to music all day long. We listen to nearly any genre, but we have an affinity for jazz and classical music when it comes to a cosy atmosphere.
We believe that everything is more beautiful when you have the right kind of music that plays in the background. Check out this wonderful piece of art I absolutely adore Vivaldi Recomposed By Max Richter Spring.
Taste
Homemade cakes
Nothing compares to a homemade healthy, and delicious dessert. Vegan or baked doesn’t matter. The process of making it with your own hands brings salt and pepper to the idea of cosiness.
Making a dessert with your hands is like the essence of balance. On one hand, you have a rough process. You mix, you blend, you chop. And on the other hand, we have the beauty of the final product, the cake and the pleasure of tasting it. Don’t you believe that a slice of homemade dessert made with love and care can be a definition of cosiness?
If you want something to inspire you, check out my Carrot Cake loaf recipe. It is healthy, beautiful and easy to make. It will only take you about one hour.
Smell
A well-ventilated room brings out the life in any home, clears the space and refreshes us. This is the best smell a home can have, the smell of clean and fresh.
I also believe that incense and oils can have tremendously beneficial properties, from cleaning the space to giving an extra graceful touch. In our home, we use Palo Santo and Sage for spiritual purification and energy cleansings. Once the wood sticks are burned, the smoke is believed to clear negative energy and restore calm emotions.
Besides Palo Santo and Sage, we also use natural oils from Doterra and natural candles from Brandt Kaarsen, as I mentioned above. I encourage you to check them out. These brands are very nice.
Touch
Soft slippers. When your feet are warm and every step you take feels like walking on marshmallows, life is more beautiful. Nothing compares with soft slippers. You might want to invest in some quality slippers that can bring you joy every time you walk around the house.
Blankets are the ultimate way to crank up the cosy factor in your home. I often sit barefoot under the blanket, and the feeling of a soft blanket on my feet relaxes me and brings me a sense of peace and gratitude. I like the blankets from Wool and the Gang because they are made from natural materials are eco-friendly, and made with care.
Energies
Crystals
Semi-Precious stones have been used for protection, beauty or rituals for many, many years. In Feng Shui (an ancient Chinese practice covering 3,500+ years before the invention of the magnetic compass 206 B.C.E.-220 C.E.), crystals are widely used for their specific energy vibrations.
Since I started connecting with crystals, I can say that my home is more grounded, balanced and positive. I adore having these remarkable beings around me. I feel I have a more cosy home thanks to them. If you don’t know how to work with semi-precious stones, see What Crystals To Have In Your Home And Where To Place Them.
Animals
Animals have their energy that influences the space around them. To give an example, dogs are the kind of animals that provide energy. They are joyful, energetic and playful. On the opposite side, cats take the energy, low energy to be more precise. Cats are more grounded and peaceful and can absorb and transform static energies. In any case, I believe animals have the power to make us more loving and empathetic just by being near us.
My best friend from the Animal Kingdom is Luna, a white, extremely beautiful and intelligent cat. I was lucky enough to be chosen as her human life partner. Between us was love at first sight, almost four years ago when I adopted her.
But I can’t say the same about the relationship between Christian and her. Christian never liked cats, and he was always more of a dog lover. Yet, I don’t know how this happened, but I look at them now, three years later, and they have such a beautiful relationship. He cares for her, buys her the best food, pets her, and they have many moments of affection. When I see them, my heart fills every time with happiness.
Plants
Besides bringing natural beauty to our homes, plants create balance and texture while also offering comfort and peace. Plants can clean the air we breathe by absorbing toxins in our homes and offering us a clean oxygen source. Furthermore, research shows that our heart rate gets lower just by gazing at plants, and our stress reduces.
Some of the best plants to have in our homes are Peace Lily, Snake Plant, Aloe Vera, Philodendron, Bamboo Palm because they can clean the air and absorb toxins like formaldehyde, benzene or trichloroethylene.
Wrap It Up
Little things are the ones that make the difference and help you have a cosy home. Paying attention to details like sound, smell or touch creates sensory imprintings that can give us a feeling of cosiness, joy and peace.
Everything that comes from nature: stones, plants, animals have the power to ground your space and make it look alive and naturally beautiful. We have inspiration everywhere around us, and we really don’t need significant amounts of money to make our homes welcoming. We just need a bit of inspiration and imagination. Having a cosy home is a self-love statement we send into the universe and an invitation for peace, abundance and happiness.
I hope all this information will serve you in making your home cosier and more welcoming. I would love to know how it went, so please share your results or thoughts in the comment box below.
In this post, I will share with you a few Christmas gift ideas for all budgets, needs, ages and personality types.
One of my long time passions is to make beautiful and useful presents. I love the process of thinking about the best gift idea, the research, the preparation. Sometimes I even make the gifts myself. Whether we are talking about family, friends, colleagues, or even strangers spending some hours of our lives, crafting a present is a way of expressing love and gratitude.
I know for some of us, this subject can be a burden. It doesn’t have to be like this. When I’m thinking about a present, I have in mind some guidelines I discovered along the way and which I will share with you below.
We are all different, so what works for some of us doesn’t work for others. But there is a common ground where we all meet, and that is the feeling of being seen, and appreciated. Yes, we are all the same, but at the same time, we are all different. I love this paradox.
Ask yourself some questions
When making a gift, it is essential to think about the other person’s way of being, likes, and needs. When I’m thinking about making a gift, I’m always asking myself these questions:
What makes her/him laugh, melt, giggle?
Which are her/him passions, dreams and desires?
What are her/him needs? How is this person daily?
How can I include a part of myself? It can be the packaging or the way it’s offered.
How can my gift help all parts involved? Maybe I can buy something local or sustainable.
I believe the real gift consists of the time you spend preparing it. Whether it is bought or made, they overcome obstacles, the emotions, and love put in the whole process are priceless. When you give your best in balancing these four, your gift will always be a unique experience for the one who receives it and also for you.
When I look back, I have so many beautiful memories, smiles and hugs that stood with me all these years, and that shaped me. I always inserted pieces of my love in every gift I made. It is not important how much the product costs or how fancy it is. It is way more important the story behind it, the research, the time invested, and the love instilled.
So here are a few Christmas gift ideas you can consider.
Tasty and sustainable gift ideas
These kinds of presents are sustainable, useful, beautiful and filled with love and passion. Who would not appreciate them?
Homemade Granola
There is nothing complicated with this recipe, and you have the liberty to mix whatever superfoods you have in your kitchen at the time. What I do:
in a bowl, I create a mix of different seeds, dry fruits and cereals
oat, dried cranberries, organic raisins
raw sunflower seeds, raw pumpkin seeds
unsweetened shredded coconut, coconut oil
almond, cashew, nuts, or any other nuts I have around
as sweetener, I use four dates or four spoons of maple syrup
after I mix them all to combine, I put them in the oven at 150 C / 300 F for 30 minutes
secret ingredient: when the granola is almost done, sprinkle some fresh rosemary on top.
I like cooking, especially desserts, but I’m not a chef, so I recommend you to check out these easy DIY gift ideas. Every time I need some inspiration in the kitchen, I check out her YouTube Channel. I think all her recipes are nutritional, easy to make and delicious.
Goldrick Natural Living
This shop sells conscious, sustainable and naturally beautiful products. When I saw Goldrick for the first time, I wanted to buy all the products. They offer delivery to almost all European countries and also the USA.
Kolekto
Kolekto is a Danish brand that makes handmade and unique, sustainable interior objects, toys for children and adults. They strongly promote sustainability and have products that are so beautiful and special that they could easily be passed on to the next generations.
Christmas gift ideas from small businesses
I love that woman consciousness is waking up, that we began to reclaim our powers and support each other. I believe the world has much to gain from sharing our perspectives and ideas and from empowering one another.
Below you have a few brands created by powerful women I absolutely adore. I also know for sure that every one of them invests their love and passion in every single product they make.
Meditation Stones From Pierres De La Dame
Nature has incredible ways of expressing beauty and perfection. We are connected to the natural world, to the plants, the rocks and crystals. They all are part of us. The stones can be used in meditation and prayer and can be a perfect gift for someone who needs grounding and balance. Check out the shop.
Framed Prints by Iulia Ctn
“A picture is worth a thousand words” I followed the adventures of these beautiful women for many years, and her journeys always fascinated me. Now the beautiful places she visited can bring moments of stillness to any home because she decided to print and frame all her works.
Hand Embroidery On T-shirts by RoanAtelier
Behind RoanAtelier stands a strong woman who discovered inside of her an incredible way of expressing the beauty, the gentleness and the power of a woman. Check out what beautiful embroidery she can craft with her magic hands.
Meg Wi Baby
Colorful and happy clothing for kids. All the products are handmade, and the material she uses is friendly to the skin of the children. Arun recently received from his aunt a pair of pants and a blouse from Meg Wi Baby, and he was so excited about them.
Wood If
Wood If is one of my favorite Danish brands. They have some really cool and useful staff made from wood that you can definitely consider when thinking about a present. I like so much the simplicity and the beauty of the design. They have products for kids and adults.
Books
On this list of Christmas gift ideas, I also included three books. I love books, and I believe it is one of the best gifts that someone could offer because it has the potential to impact a person’s life and even to transform them in some means. Bellow, you have three books that address different topics and that had influenced my life in different ways.
The Little Book Of Hygge by Meik Wiking
Hygge is a Danish word for a mood of coziness, and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment, which I believe are perfect for this Covid December. Hygge means candles, gratitude, harmony, 4-6 people, mulled wine or tea, books and much more, but I will let you discover in this Little Book of Hygge. Buy the book.
A Search In Secret India by Paul Brunton
Paul Brunton made the trip of his life in search of Indian mystics. This book represents a brief relation of the gurus, fake prophets and sages he discovered along the way. It’s a beautiful book that presents the transformation of a skeptic British author into a follower of Ramana Maharshi teachings. Buy the book.
Scattered Minds by Gabor Mate
Scattered Minds clarified many aspects of my past and current life, and I believe we all should read it. It speaks about how we were raised, how we raise our children and how all of this impacted and impacts our lives daily. This book is the most explicit book I have ever encountered by now that addresses human development. I bought a copy for my mother, too and we had some interesting discussions about motherhood, childhood, emotions and traumas. Buy the book.
Digital Christmas gift ideas
The digital world is already a significant part of our lives. We use digital products almost every day, some are useless, and some are making our lives more comfortable and balanced.
If you don’t have any inspiration for a physical gift, you can always think about a 1-3 month subscription to a program. Here are some examples.
Audible
I use Audible for a year now, and I’m pleased with it. Since I had Arun the time for reading has diminished drastically, but I managed to satisfy my love for knowledge and books using this app. In the beginning, I thought I wouldn’t be able to concentrate, but to my surprise, it wasn’t like that at all. A nice thing they have is that almost all contemporary books are read by the author, so the messages are more clear and more powerful. You should definitely check it out. They have a one-month free trial.
Synctuition Meditation App
Synctuition is one of the meditation apps I like the most. The quality of the sound is by far the best I ever experienced. They use personalized frequency, rhythmic entrainment, binaural beats, gamma waves frequency and 3D sound. I had some profound meditations while using Synctuition, so I recommend it with all my heart.
Mi Fit Band 5
I saw these devices long ago but never had an attraction for them. I thought it was another useless gadget that I don’t need. Recently I received from my sister a Mi Fit Band 5 and I can say I was quite impressed. I definitely can live without it, but I also appreciate some excellent features she has, like measuring the quality of my sleep, reminding me to take a break, answering the phone, measuring my heart rate and many others. Plus, it is beautiful, elegant, and useful and the price is fair. I believe it can be a lovely present for anyone who wants to have an overview of their body health.
I know these holidays will be a challenge for many of us – people are losing jobs, we can’t see our loved ones, and there’s just so much going on in the world. Yet I believe we can all take a deep breath and let go of the pressure for some moments. Allow yourself to look at challenges from a perspective of hopefulness and gratitude. Keep in mind that all of this will pass and we will remain only with the things we learned and the people who love and support us deeply.
May your gifts be an expression of love, cherish and hope. I wish my list of Christmas gift ideas will inspire you to play and be creative. Wish you all a hyggely Christmas.
Words can break you into million pieces or heal your wounded heart. Words in a person’s mouth can act as a deadly weapon or as a warm embrace from a loving mother.
How many times the words someone addressed to us made us feel hurt? How many times did we tell ourselves words that disempowered us? Also, how many times we came across words or quotes that made us pause and feel we’ve been completely understood?
A few days ago, I discovered a word that made me pause. I felt it described something inside of me that wandered without a shape of his own.
SISU [see – suu] Extraordinary determination in the face of extreme adversity, and courage that is presented typically in situations where success is unlikely. It expresses itself in taking action against the odds, and displaying courage and resoluteness in the face of adversity; in other words, deciding on a course of action, and then adhering to it even if repeated failures ensue.
I liked this word so much that I wanted to see it more often, so I thought it would be nice to have it as a mobile wallpaper. Then I told myself, why not share with you some of the quotes and sentences I gathered in my diary over the years. I found tremendous help and guidance in the quotes that great people like Albert Einstein, Nelson Mandela or Maya Angelou said. Also, over the years, I created phrases that helped me change my beliefs and restore my mental clarity.
Here, I found myself combining my creativity with my favourite quotes and words, which came out. Nine mobile wallpapers that you can download and use to help you on your journey.
If you have a favourite quote or word, share them with us. I’m always happy to discover new words and empowering phrases. Also, let me know in the comments box below if you liked the mobile wallpapers and if you want me to create more of them.
Hello, ladies, these past days I was very busy with a new playful project I was thinking about for a very long time. A balcony makeover into a toddler playground. We used the balcony as a storage space, but uninvited things kept popping up from time to time, so it became quite unpleasant. Therefore, we decided to transform one of our balconies into a playing space for Arun to spend as much time outside as possible.
I managed to do everything in 5 hours, and it was worth every minute. I enjoyed playing with all the materials and making the balcony a playful space.
Interior design is one of my old passions. I love decorating, searching for ideas, mixing textures, and playing with light. It gives me new perspectives. It calms me and exercises my imagination.
One of the most important things when decorating is the colour pallet. Establish at the beginning three primary colours you want to use and stick with. In my balcony, the walls are from brick, so I decided to use the same red tone when choosing the floor. I used floor decking for outdoor from Ikea because it can be easily framed and is also affordable. I wanted to bring also some colour to be more playful, so I opted for blue and green.
The pillows bring a plus of comfort and cosiness and plants to bring nature closer and make the place alive. For kids, it is crucial to have plants around them. Besides cleaning the air around them, being near plants teaches kids to respect nature and every living being.
I got some of my inspirations from Kelly Wearstler, I recently saw an online course of hers on Masterclass. I warmly recommend it.
The biggest challenges I had with this project was the shape of the balcony, irregular, and the size, one square meter. However, I think we managed to do a pretty good job. The floor from Ikea helped a lot because it can be easily placed depending on the space you have at your disposal.
I bought from a local store some wood figurines that I glued on the wall to stimulate Arun’s creativity. I didn’t go for stickers because they can wet and untie. Finally, I placed some of Arun toys on the balcony, and that was it.
It was an excellent decision to transform this little balcony into a playing area. Arun enjoys every moment spent there playing and talking with his toys and almost forgetting about us. I hope you found inspiration in this post and encouraged you to arrange a playing space for your kid, and if you have some tips or ideas, please share them with us. We will love to know what you did to create a playing area for your kid.
Love yourself,
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Words can break you into million pieces or heal your wounded heart. Words in a person’s mouth can act as a deadly weapon or as a warm embrace from a loving mother.
