Inspiration: Nature.

Loads of things inspire me. Yet they all inspire me in different ways. Nature is a big inspiration for me. It really makes me appreciate the outside world and how beautiful everything can be. Not only does nature change 4 times a year, it is also so diverse in textures, colours and forms. Therefore its beauty surprises me everyday. Nature truly mesmerises me. it inspires me combining textures, prints and colours like nothing else does. Nature holds a power within that interests me and therefore I collected photo's of nature that I found very pretty and interesting. I hope you are inspired as much as I am. 

Mission complete

It has been over a week now and I am proud to say I have succeeded in my detoxing challenge. Just to be clear what that was again, I wasn’t allowed to look on online webshops for a week. This because of the fair reason I was simply addicted. And I managed! It was difficult at some points but I never slipped. I think it definitely was a good idea, because it gave me the chance to do other things! I must say that having my boyfriend around was helping me because he kept me of my computer. That way I didn’t even think about it that much. It was definitely something that I would do again, because it was refreshing and it kept my head straight, focusing on more important things. My webshop addiction or as I liked to call it looking-everyday-but-no-money-syndrome is not completely out of the picture, I mean I will still look at things I long for, but it surely became less than it was before. All and all this challenge is officially over and I got an A+. And now just to make me happy, lets see if those webshops have something new..

pictures found on tumblr.

Inspiration

What to do when you don’t have to do anything? I like to visit tumblr and just scroll endlessly watching tons of cool images go by. This is a nice way for me to express my creative sense in some way and find some inspiration. Currently I have been loving some minimalistic photos, black and white kind of photos. And of course what would an inspiration be if it didn’t involve something that I wouldn’t mind to be the owner of? Take a look for yourself and be inspired.

click on read more for more inspirational photos

Crop it Like it's hot

I have been crushing on cropped tops lately. Belly-tops are back y’all and they are worn and sold everywhere. I bought my first cropped top 3 years ago from Topshop. A grey loose top which I combined with a pair of high waisted shorts. But nowadays the top is worn the same way they did in the 90’s, showing a stripe of skin or even your entire belly. Which is also the tricky catch behind this trend. Either you wear it in a fashionable way, or it turns out slutty. Which was the word my brother used when describing my outfit last thursday. Cropped can’t go wrong when you pair it with a blazer and some coloured jeans, like I did. But apparently my brother thought otherwise. I think that this is a trend which isn’t really accepted as fast as maybe other trends, it takes some getting used to. And hey, I don’t blame them, everybody is showing their belly at the moment, it is quite a shock if you’re not into the whole “fashion-thing”. I recently bought 3 cropped tops, very simple and really cheap. And when I am of to London tomorrow I am sure that I will be seeing more of them in stores such as Primark and Topshop. Here are some examples. What do you think?

 

pictures found on tumblr.

Nude face, Bright lips.

Lately I have my undivided attention for summer preparations. What can I wear, what should I buy, which shoes am I planning to purchase? But enough about the clothes and accessories, I have made my decisions about everything in that department, lets talk beauty. And today I am focussing on the lips. I have seen so many lipcolours I want to try out, especially some really bright and striking. Some take bright red as their daring colour, but there are way more options to choose from, for instance bright pink, or what about orange? Very colourful, very summery, quite defiant, but still wearable! Combining it with simple and nude make-up during day and adding a edgy black eyeliner at night. This trend has been around for quite sometime when talking in fashion-years, it goes back all the way to Marc Jacobs SS 2010, and even more designers where ahead of him. I certainly am not passing this everlasting trend, and I am definitely trying this out. Starting with a bright orange. Maybe it is really time to invest in a more expensive lipstick, leave the drugstore sticks behind and start a collection of summer colours that are eyecatching and headturning. Who is joining me?

pictures found on tumblr.com

Inspiration with dead-ends

I spoke too soon last week, because the sun is already gone and has been swopped for nasty cold and windy weather. Still I am looking forward to the spring and summer, especially the clothes I will be able to wear again. So for the last couple of days I have been finding my summer-vibes on tumblr instead of the outdoors. And I came across some pictures that gave me inspiration for summer. Nude and simplicity are the key words to be exact. basic tops and shorts, with one simple, yet statement, piece which can be shoes, a pair of sunglasses or a nice clutch. I thought the following pictures could bring peace into a persons wardrobe and still be eyecandy on the street, a showstopper, a twist. unfortunately I wasn't able to track the sunglasses and the wedges down on the internet, so I could glare at them and eventually purchase them, so instead I will look for alternatives on sites such as Zara, or Asos. If you happen to be reading this and you know where I can find them or similar, please be a sweetheart and let me know. So what are your inspirational photo's for summer?

pictures found on tumblr.com

Summer vibes

It has been amazing weather for the last couple of days! The sun is shining, I am wearing my new light jeans and my ray-ban sunglasses. Music is pumping in my ears. Take note: Bakermat - Vandaag. A dutch DJ slash artist who makes the best mixes that sound like summer in your ears. Unfortunately I have a “exam-week” at school. Which explains the fact why I haven’t been writing a couple of days and why I won’t be able to for a couple more.. Luckily for me when I am making tests and study my ass of, the sky won’t be as blue as it was today. I hope this weather is just a preview of what I can expect for the summer, because I am not going anywhere this year. The reason for this quite simple; I won’t be able to get the money for it in time, because I have to focus on my schoolwork. But I can’t just sit still all summer long! Therefore I am planning to order some tickets for festivals. Such as: Awakenings, which is Techno music in the sun near Amsterdam, Decibel, a total different genre namely Hardstyle, and Pussylounge at the Park, which is also Hardstyle. I like both genres, they give a total different energy, besides there will be like over 10 different stages so I can vary artist if I am not really into a certain one. And there will be a local “festival” on the 19th of may, which will be free, and everybody of my city will be joining, and I really can’t wait. It has all different music genres and different DJ after each other because it has one big main stage. For a moment I was scared I wouldn’t be able to make it this year because I am in London around that time, but I figured out it is on a sunday and I am back on the friday before that! And I am planning to get my tattoo soon. Have to talk with my mom about it one more time, about what I want exactly. I am still thinking of the quote and I am also thinking about an arrow, because I read a quote that really spoke to me: “ An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means it’s going to launch you into something great. So just focus, and keep aiming ”. I was thinking to either put it on the inside of my right pinky or the inside of my right index-finger. But since I already have a tattoo on my left index-finger, I want something different. But I am still just experimenting with what and when. Maybe getting the arrow in white ink. Still debating with myself about the arrow. Hopefully I have informed you guys a little bit of what I have ben up to. See you when I finished studying. Enjoy the sun! 

picture found on tumblr.

Front row at relationships.

Every family birthday I get the same question; “Hi Jelske, how is it going with the lads?”. “Well, I hate to break it to you but, just like last time, I don’t have a lad”. Seeing the disappointment on their face makes me even feel lonelier. But I am always able to switch the conversation topic to something other than my love-life. But during those conversations I have two feelings, which are completely opposite from each other. The first one is; I don’t need a man, because I love the freedom and the feeling of not having a jealous boy looking over my shoulder all of the time. While the other feeling is telling me that I should probably start dating again, because this is just pathetic. I’m 17 years old and I am proud to say that I have never had a boyfriend. I have been dating a handful of guys which turn out to be jerks, and after the last one kind of ruined my view on men, I didn’t really felt like meeting another one. Most of my friends have boyfriends and seem happily in love and are oh so happy. In someway I envy them, because I do like the idea of a guy that is completely yours and who you can go to when you're bored. But then I compensate the pro’s with the con’s. Such as giving expensive presents, shaving my legs the entire time, be careful with the way you talk to other guy-friends because someone might get jealous. I do have to admit, when you are in a good relationship, there are no con’s because you have someone to share those “con’s” with, leaving the leg-shaving aside. You are willing to do those things for the one you love and then it doesn’t matter. You are in a relationship with someone who loves you just for you and who could join you in activities and fun nights out. Of course I have no idea what I’m talking about, because I haven’t met my partner in crime yet. 

As the single lady that I am, I am able to see a lot of the peoples behaviour they have around their boyfriends and when they are not. And sometimes it surprises me that some of my friends really do change their personality during the presence of their boyfriend. I also see the changes in their weekly routine. I do understand it changes but I, as a friend, see that plans you make with your friends are sometimes blown off for “nicer” plans with their lads. For example, planning a nice night out with your fellow girls and eventually halve of them needs to leave because they are spending their “good-night-sleep” at their boyfriends place. I have even had nights I had to leave the city because all of my friends I went with, needed to leave because they all, and I repeat all, had trouble or a conflict with their other halves. And that shit frustrates me. Because my party is shut down and I didn’t even did something wrong, and there is no one else left who wants to keep it alive with me. People who are in relationships sometimes forget they still have friends who are also free on weekends and are great company on friday nights. Again with the mixed feelings, I do understand they want to be with them. I think that because I am a free bird, I notice those things faster than friends who have boyfriends themselves. I don’t know if it is true but it affects me more than them, and correct me if I’m wrong! I am currently witnessing friends who are in a relationship where they aren’t even themselves. Asking me what they should text as a response to their boyfriends text, laugh about it, say you are going to text it, and then send something completely different and safe, thinking they may embarrass themselves when they text it because it has a different tone than usual. This happens to me all the freaking time. Which just leaves me with the thought; If you are not going to hit send, don’t ask me what I would have said. just send something that you would truly send, not something a perfect girlfriend would send. Simple as that. Maybe this is my jealous ass writing this article, but I just don’t understand that some people are in a relationship which might change the relationship they have with their friends only because they think it looks nice on their facebook page, newsflash: No one gives a damn.

pictures found on tumblr.

Bad week to be ill

I'm so sorry for not posting anything the last couple of days..  I have been really ill since last monday and I am still not really a 100% But when I'm better I promise I will post again right away, because I really do miss writing on here! The only thing I am able to do right now is drink my mums special tea, take baths and sleep the entire day. Unfortunately my bathroom window does not possess a view like that, so I just watch some movies and Pretty Little Liars instead. Tomorrow is a big event for my school, which me and some other schoolmates organize, and it is the biggest one of the year, but it looks like I wont be attending.. I'm very upset about that. But lets just hope for a miracle to happen and hopefully I will wake up shining and healthy! May your week be amazing!

Pictures found on tumblr.

Permanently quoting

About 2 and a half years ago, me and a friend of mine were at my place and she was telling me this story about an old classmate of hers who had all kinds of little tattoos on her fingers. She and that old classmate took a needle and some indonesian ink they got from school and whenever she and that classmate were bored in class she would start tattooing her classmate on the fingers. Nothing major, just some small hearts, a peace sign, an anchor, somethings like that. And eventually her whole hands where filled, a tattoo on each finger. 
So my friend an my crazy 14 year old mind started doing one on my finger. A peace sign. But I felt nauseous at some point and I decided to finish it myself. After about an hour it was done, a very small peace sign was inked on my left index finger. But I had to repeat it a couple of times to make sure nothing faded after 2 weeks. Till this very day I still have it on my finger. After two years it still hasn’t faded away. It does look a little like a mercedes sign right now when you look close, which I don’t like. But I never expected it to last so long since it was school ink and done with just a needle. My mother doesn’t really like it but she never punished me for it, and I don’t know if my father knows about it.. Maybe he does and he never really mentioned it. Nevertheless I don’t really regret it, but I wish I would’ve let it be done by a pro, (You can see the tattoo on the black and white picture in the right top corner). Now that we are talking about tattoos, about a year ago I started thinking about getting a ‘real’ one. I’ve been through a lot, roughly said I have had a though time the last few years. And I want to permanently ink my victory of that struggle. I want to look at it and get the feeling that I’m strong. But I want it to be subtle, private and Italian. Italian is a language my mother and I really like. I love how that everything sounds pretty when you say it in Italian, unlike German for example haha.

For a long time I wanted it to have something to do with a butterfly, because a butterfly stands for progress and freedom. So I thought about: ‘ La vita e comme una farfalla’ which means: ‘ life is like a butterfly’. But I’m not sure anymore about that one, because I really do like some of the Italian proverbs that I saw a couple of days ago. One of them is: ‘Quel che non ammazza, ingrassa’. It basically says that without struggle there’s no progress. And I really like that proverb, because I can really relate to it. But there is something about the words I don’t like, I don’t really know what it is, but there are a lot of a’s and z’s and m’s.. Mmm I just don’t know. But then I saw this one; ‘La morte mi troverà vivo’. This proverb literally means death will find me alive. Which I freaking love so much! It stands for celebrating life and live it to the fullest. That I can look back and know I had an amazing life. Let the positive and great memories overrule the bad ones. It is something I strive for, and I think it is important to look forward and let your past behind. So maybe when I get this tattooed on my body, I will be constantly reminded of loving life. And I really like the idea of that. The spot the tattoo will be inked is on the right side of my ribs, and I want it vertically (so you have to read it with your head turned). 

But I’m not 18 yet, and money is nowhere to be found. So if I want to really do this anytime soon I need to have two things; Money, about 200 euro’s and permission. luckily I do have the permission from my mother. The money part is just a matter of saving. But I think I’m ready. I already been to the tattoo shop a couple of months ago, but I didn’t want to make an appointment already, because that would mean that I had to do it at a particular date and I don’t want to be stuck to something this big. It is permanent and I need to really think this through. I’m sure that it  is going to happen, just not really sure when.

picture found on tumblr

Sunday Inspiration

It is sunday afternoon and I woke up today at 3 pm.  I went out last night and I had an amazing evening. First me and my friend Nina went for a drink at a local cafe near the “clubbing district”, if you can even call it that in my city, and we decided to take another drink in another cafe. Eventually 4 hours later I’m with another friend in Kerkplein a club in my city. After meeting some Americans who live in Jersey and their parents in Newcastle (Jersey and Geordie shore?) who happened to have a friend in Belgium and who could speak quite suspiciously well dutch after hearing it once, I went home. It was 5 am when I went to sleep. When I only told my mom I was going for a small drink.. I don’t know but I always say to myself that I won’t be going out, and at the end of the evening I find myself standing in a bar. Probably these are promises to myself I can’t keep.. So right now I’m still sitting in my pyjamas listing to Jack Johnson’s Banana Pancakes. Stalking my tumblr page like crazy because I’m bored and not in the mood for anything productive.. Still I found some pictures I really liked, of course one of them is a bed and the other one is a very cute outfit which, if I could, I want to adopt and hang it in my closet. I mean who wouldn't? look at that amazing fur beanie! What do you think?

pictures found on tumblr

Just a job..

So I had a job interview today and.. I don’t think I’m hired. Don’t think too big, it’s just a job at the local supermarket, but it pays better than my current job at a restaurant. 

Let me begin with describing my work environment right now. I still work at a restaurant in the centre of my city as a waitress, which I love to do. Great colleagues, nice atmosphere, and a great way to meet new people. But long hours with no breaks or any food I could snack, very sneaky.. Only tiny cookies and nuts. So at the end of the day, after working my butt off for 6 hours strait, I’m almost dying because I’m so hungry. You know I’m exaggerating but it sure feels like it! And I can’t take that anymore, besides I am way tot tired after work to do anything productive anymore, such as schoolwork. 

Working at my local supermarket would not only improve my monthly salary, but it also provides breaks when, for a change, I can eat proper food! Being a cashier doesn’t really require much movement last time I checked. Which means that I still have energy left after work, which of course would be spent on my homework, and most important, writing on my blog. This provides the possibility to work during the week for a couple of hours. I could already see my balance on my bank-account rising and buying that fabulous faux-fur coat and that woollen flappy hat which I’m drooling over for the past couple of weeks. So yesterday I received a phone call from the supermarket manager calling me about my job-application. After some small talk and making an appointment for the interview I hang up, and I wasn’t satisfied. That was because I wasn’t being called for the job I applied for, instead he asked me to do an interview for the job as the bread-assistant. You know, the one with the paper hat on (which doesn’t look like my flappy hat at all) and helps you pick out bread and bakes it everyday. But I said yes anyway.. ‘ Think about the coat, Jelske. Think about all the amazing things you can buy.’ I thought by myself. Besides I didn’t think it would be hard work, because every time I come by to fetch some bread, it sure as hell looks calm to me! But during my interview the manager stated otherwise. I was telling why I wanted to work there and not at my current job anymore, and I calmly said the truth and said that working as a waitress in a successful restaurant is really hectic and I want a job that I can combine together with my schoolwork. That I don’t want to come home from work being tired anymore. Apparently that was not what I should’ve said. Because he told me that being a ‘bake-assistant” requires a lot of energy and could be more hectic than my job at that restaurant. Instantly all I could think of was; well god damn. I screwed up. I thought I was saying the right thing and that I impressed him with my level of education and my ambitions but.. He said he needed to think about it, because it is a hard decision.. It’s a job at a freaking supermarket, I’m not applying to be the next assistant of Karl. I know the supermarket has a “reputation” to uphold, but I don’t think I’m less qualified for the job than the person after me with holes in his ears and the hairdo of Paul Stanley.. I don’t know.. I’m getting the news on monday. Hopefully it will be something good. I am still lurking on that cashier-job to open up. And when it does, I will be the first one that takes that darn place. 

Pictures found on Tumblr.

Winter or summer?

What do you prefer? Winter or Summer? Maybe you’re more a Winter-girl, enjoying the way the streets look when it is covered in snow with a cup of hot coco in your hands, cosy in front of the fireplace and wearing that amazing fur coat. Or do you like the summer breeze and that party on the beach in the hot sun better?

It is snowing outside, it is cold and I don’t have a drivers-license yet, so I almost froze to death this morning when I was biking to school. I do like the look of snow and the cozy clothes I can wear, but I don’t hesitate when I say I’m more in my element when it’s summer. The sunny weather, the denim-shorts, getting some color and late nights in the backyard. 

Besides the cold weather, the winter makes me lazy. Since my gym-subscription expired without me knowing of it, I like running outside, working on my condition. But I’m not going outside to work out.. The weather discourages me the moment I look out of the window. On the other side I do love the holidays and snowboarding during my vacation. My dogs come back inside covered in snow, rubbing against my cold feet.. No, winter time is way too cold for me. 

But enough about the cold, lets talk about the heat, summer. Besides the sweaty backs, sand everywhere and no sleep due to again, the sweating, I really enjoy the summer more.  Not only do I looove the bright sun against my pale skin, giving me some color, but I really look forward to the long days at the beach and having no worries about my hair being ruined because of the rain. I want to wear my shorts again & my dresses without leggings under them and heels without getting cold feet. Haha, I’m already getting excited while writing about it. 

In 4 weeks I’m going on holiday to France with my parents and a group of friends, snowboarding for a week! And me and my friends are looking for a vacation in Portugal this summer. Very lucky I can do both and I really do appreciate it so much. I am looking forward to both vacations, and it doesn’t matter if it is ice cold, or intolerably hot, I’m doing what I love with the people that I love, That is the best climate you can be in!

I do not own these pictures. They where found on tumblr.