Looking Back on November

The beginning of November seems ages ago! Yet, the month still seemed to go by very quickly. Anyway, it was a strange month... I had to cancel a lot of my plans, but I also still got to do a bunch of fun things.

• I reviewed a beautiful dress that was sent to me by eShakti.
• Visited Ikea for some things I needed. Though I failed to get the most important things from my list...
• Started memorizing some Christmas songs to play on guitar.
• Got excited for Christmas and made both a wishlist and a gift guide.
• Had a lovely giveaway with Love n Lavish.
• Went to a classical concert with a friend.
• My blog had its 5th anniversary!
• Received a gorgeous jewelry set from ADesignJewelry in the mail.
• And kept myself busy with some unintentionally color-coordinated entertainment. 

How did November treat you? Did you do anything worth mentioning? Tell me!

Looking Back on October

This was the first month of proper Fall. It's getting colder. In fact, I don't find myself spending time outside for fun anymore. The season of impromptu walks is definitely over. But in it's place come cozy days at home.

• I reviewed a wonderful Kawaii Box!
• And am giving one away. Yes, you can still join!
• Tracked down a book I almost missed out on. (I'm sure I'll elaborate soon.)
• Went to Stephen Fry's live cinema event.
• Attended a local animal charity fundraiser.
• Had a lot of medical appointments, for both me and the cat.
• Got a quirky plushie in the mail.
• Tried out a cute little lunchroom to celebrate a friend's birthday.
• And received some amazing Autumnal gifts myself, from another dear friend. (More on that very soon!)

How are you handling the change of the seasons? Any exciting/cozy plans for Fall?

Looking Back on September

This was quite a blurry month for me. I honestly don't remember that much. Medical issues -and the lack of sleep caused by it- made me into a total zombie for most of the month. But there were still some things that made me happy.

• I went to the cinema with my mom and had a great time.
• Caved and bought a smartphone when I found the perfect deal.
• Started an amazing book that I can't wait to finish.
• Did a fun owly giveaway.
• Tried out some amazing nail polish I received.
• Finally listed my bookmark subscriptions.
• Soaked up the last of the sunny weather.
• Finished a beautiful sweater I'd been knitting.
• And even reconnected with my oldest penpal again!

How was your month? Did any nice things happen?

Looking Back on August

Even though I had to spend a lot of time taking it easy and resting, I thankfully also got to do a couple of really fun things. Despite -or perhaps because of- those changes in pace, this definitely felt like the fastest month of the year so far.

• I hung out and relaxed with the cat a lot.
• Spent more time at the pharmacy than ever.
• Read a great book and went to a Q&A with the author. More on that soon!
• Cried my eyes out at the TFIOS movie.
• Had a good spot viewing the Gay Pride Canal Parade. Even saw Conchita Wurst from a couple yards!
• Visited a huge library with a lovely friend. We went home with a big pile of books each!
• Bought and received some amazing new yarn.
• Turned a blogger-friend into a real-life-friend during an awesome day with Jerlene.
• And even got lucky and won myself a gorgeous bag!

Was your month eventful? Did it pass by quite quickly too?

Looking Back on June

June definitely had some nice summer days. Granted, there were some cold ones too, with a lot of wind and a lot of rain. But every once and a while I could ditch my jacket and soak up the warmth and just do nothing else at all.

• I took in a new houseguest. (More about that soon!)
• Showed you the wonderful gifts I got from Amy.
• And received some more from someone else. (I'll post those soon!)
• Got back into playing games on my Nintendo DS.
• Hopped on the Divergent-bandwagon and finished Insurgent as well.
• Learned to play the Ukelele.
• As well as some lovely new songs on guitar.
• Followed everyone's advice and went to see The Grand Budapest Hotel.
• And made some divine popsicles just by putting melon in the blender!

How was your start of the summer? Did you do anything worth sharing?

Looking back on May

May seemed to alternate between winter encores and summer previews. While I was still red from my sunburn the weather had changed to grey, cold, windy and very wet. I did anything from knitting to eating ice cream.

• I got creative and discovered a delicious new salad due to a nearly empty fridge.
• Went to see a few Studio Ghibli movies, including one that was new to me.
• Started actively developing a few new habits.
• Finished my second spinning project after a year-long spinning hiatus.
• Picked up cross-stitching again.
• Finally visited this awesome bookstore that I first heard of 10 years ago.
• Added gold and silver moons, and sloths and koalas to my shop.
• Went to free comic book day.
• And had a pigeon visitor seeking refuge from the heavy rain. We hung out for about an hour.

How was your month? Did you do anything fun?

Looking Back on April

April was crazy. Good, but so full. I have quite a lot of pictures/stories saved up because I had so many things to juggle and often dropped the blogging ball because of it. So expect some themed posts to catch up on all that soon.

• I had my birthday and the very first party at my new place.
• Got a movie theater membership, so I can now see unlimited art house movies.
• Started Zentangling. I also put it on hold again, but hopefully not for long!
• Picked up spinning and finished my old spinning project.
• Played some songs for friends and family.
• Discovered the cutest little market.
• Treated myself to a gorgeous cookbook.
• Tried chocolate sorbet ice cream and had my mind blown.
• And there was King's Day (formerly known as Queen's Day), hence the nails.

Did you do anything special this month?

Looking Back on March

March was both fun/hopeful as well as disappointing. I had a nasty cold/flu that lasted quite a while(it still isn't over, completely) and kept me from doing a lot. But I also enjoyed the sunnier spring weather. Anyway, this month:

• I finally got into contact juggling! It's been a dream for ages.
• Started my Mixed Shelf posts.
• Performed my own songs on stage for the first time.
• Watched a lot of booktuber videos.
• Had my first ice cream of the year. Yes, it's a tradition with my mom.
• Made a cute necklace with sea shells.
• Added some old movies to my dvd collection. Either for free or really cheap!
• Treated myself on Etsy after almost a year of buying nothing.
• And caught the blossoms on time this year!

What did you do? Did you get to do anything special now that it's Spring again too?

Looking Back on February

February was a strange mix of things. Of having to get used to it all, but also suddenly feeling really comfortable with this new situation. There was a lot of stuff I suddenly had to to, but also stuff I really really enjoyed. For instance:

• I got a vacuum cleaner. And quite a cute looking one!
• Went to the cinema not once, but twice.
• Made up some new and quite delicious dishes.
• Was really touched and impressed by Ellen Page's speech.
• Saw Suzanne Vega in concert!
• Heard some authors speak about their books.
• Finished a little knitting project.
• Met some amazing new people.
• Hummus! I'm so hooked on it. Found one with pumpkin too!

How was your month? Did you do anything that got you all excited? I'd love to hear about it!

Looking Back on January

It's been ages since I've done one of these! Of course I've been away for a while. It was what I needed, to allow myself time to wrap certain things up, but I'm so excited to be back! Anyway, in January:

• I finally moved into my apartment!
• Allowed myself to do non-house-related things again.
• Got pretty crafty.
• Found some amazing bread in my local supermarket.
• Started blogging again after a bit of a hiatus.
• Hung out with some wonderful people.
• Made my first Etsy order from my new home.
• Went to see some Chinese New Year festivities.
• And tried out my huge smoothie mug.

So how did your year start out? Hope it's as good as mine so far!

Looking Back on October

It seems getting used to the cold is even tougher after you come back from a sunny vacation. Nevertheless, I ventured out whenever I had any fun plans. And otherwise I just stayed in and enjoyed my old home, while I still could. Also:

• I met some wonderful new people!
• Did quite a lot of songwriting all of a sudden.
• Came into my apartment to find it nearly done, yay!
• Visited a book festival.
• Worked on my first knit-along project.
• Procrastinated.
• And later still tackled those to-do lists.
• Got some lovely limited edition things at Ikea.
• And worked on a lovely blogpost about Anjolee!

What did you? I hope you had some nice things happen too!

Looking Back on September

September was a month of transformation. I went on vacation by myself, which needless to say, was full of new experiences too. And I feel very different from the way I did before I left. Anyway, let's look back on the month!

• I met lots of wonderful people!
• Won a magical necklace by one of my favorite artists.
• Made a lot of progress in my apartment.
• Tried Lindy Hop dancing.
• Had some delicious ice cream.
• Did many new creative things.
• Found out how amazing beet root tastes in fruit juices.
• Met David Sedaris for the second time, gave him a bookmark and really enjoyed his show.
• And the little kitty in the picture above turned 10!

Did you do anything exciting too? I'd love to hear about it!

Looking Back on June

The first official day of summer was wet and grey and cold, and I hate to say it, but most June days have been like that. There were a few sunny ones, but all in all, my list sounds a lot more like one I'd post in winter than in summer.

• I received a pretty owl necklace from my dad on Father's Day!
• Went to two birthday parties.
• Caught up with a few friends I hadn't seen in ages.
• Saw a lot of movies.
• Even went to the cinema twice.
• Suddenly got really into playing guitar again.
• Got a floor installed in my apartment.
• Did some shopping on book depository.
• And ran a whole lot of errands.

What was your June like? Were you luckier weather-wise?

Looking Back on April

Though Spring is shy this year, we did get some great weather this month. I expected to have more energy, but instead I got less. It wasn't exactly what I was hoping for, but there were some wonderful things too:

• I treated myself to the raccoon above.
• Got some lovely things for my birthday.
• Reviewed MaryLou -a lovely jewelry shop- and sunglasses from Firmoo.
• Found some free things for my new place. Yay!
• Had a giveaway with Lix Hewett Photography.
• Spent a lot of time outdoors.
• Read a lot!
• Saw and bought some great things on Queen's Day.
• And reached my 1000th blogpost and 200.000 views!

How was your month? Did you do anything fun?

Looking Back on March

Though I had planned all sorts of lovely Spring stuff, this month turned out to be freezing cold. In fact, it's the coldest Easter our country has had since 1964. Despite the cold, I got to do some nice things as well:

• I went to the tiniest vintage market.
• And got an amazing vintage dress in the mail as well! (Pictures later!)
• Started spinning again.
• Stocked up on Asian movies thanks to a great sale.
• Rediscovered how nice it is to play (board)games.
• And got hooked on the Sims again.
• Finished my most intricate lace project so far. (Pictures later!)
• Enrolled in a free 21-day meditation course.
• And Yanxia and Olga both came in for lovely giveaways.

How was your month? I hope you had fun! And that you're having a wonderful Easter of course!

Looking Back on February

This was such a cold month! It actually kept me from doing a lot of the things I had planned. On the other hand it did give me the opportunity to read and relax and drink even more tea than I usually do. Some highlights:

• I added the cutest and oddest owl to my collection!
• Celebrated Chinese New Year.
• Read some amazing books -including the one above-
• Received some pretty stationery!
• Made a reader happy with a stunning necklace from Ruby Robin Boutique.
• Ate a few delicious carrot cake muffins.
• Made a wassupbrothers comic.
• Survived a few days without any heating -not really a highlight, but I'm proud to be alive-
• And started working on an amazing -but still secret- knitting project.

How did February treat you?

Looking Back on January

On one hand it feels like January flew by, on the other New Years Eve seems ages ago. Anyway, here are some things I did during this cold and grey winter month:

• I finished four books.
• Wore layers upon layers just to stay warm
• Went to a lovely French Film.
• Saw some spectacular snowflakes up close.
• Started packing things in boxes.
• Got an amazing new sweater.
• Started working on an amazing scarf.
• Made some delicious risotto.
• Posted a wonderful giveaway (that you can still join).

What did you do this January?

Looking Back on 2012

It is not an understatement to say a lot happened this year. I did lots of things I didn't even dream of the year before. Let's take a look at some of the highlights!

• I went to Singapore! You can catch up on that adventure here.
• Made some lovely new friends, both on and offline.
• Found a new place to live.
• Knitted a few wonderful big projects with some new techniques (most of which I have yet to show you).
• Started learning needle felting, slide guitar and tarot.
• Became even more aware and passionate about environmental issues and going "green".
• Realised I wanted to read more. And I did.
• My music posts made place for Circle Songs.
• The blog had it's 3rd anniversary and it's 600th GFC and even 700th (combined) follower!

What were your favorite things of 2012?

Looking Back on November

This month seemed so incredibly short. It probably flew by because I suddenly had so many plans and things to look forward to. Either way, it's December now and I'm quite ready for it! But let's look back first:

• I already pretty much finished my Christmas shopping.
• Picked up the key to my new appartment.
• Released my collection of Woodland Creatures.
• And a couple of other items as well.
• Did some nice Black Friday shopping online.
• Watched the final Twilight movie.
• Was very productive and creative.
• And my blog had it's 3-year anniversary!

How was your month?

Looking Back on October

The cold has definitely set in. I've already added at least one extra layer to any outfit I wear outside. But that doesn't stop the good times, I guess. Here are some highlights of the past month:

• I experimented with some nail stamping again.
• Dressed up for Halloween for the first time in my life.
• Showed you the knitted scarf I made for my mom.
• Found out I'll be getting my own place!
• Went to the Japanese Film Festival.
• Made some people happy with this owl and these digital goodies.
• Started knitting a massive jacket/cardigan.
• Received a collection of vintage buttons.
• Started a tarot class.
• And got obsessed with Alice in Wonderland.

What were your favorite things of October?