The outside world is an endless place and there are so many great places to discover. I have always been an outdoorsy person, but the corona times has definitely led to a much deeper appreciation of the nature and the outdoor areas close to my home. Lately I have been going for walks/runs in Bøkeskogen, also called “The Beech Tree Forest” – it’s the home to many amazing hiking trails, where many points offers a great panoramic view of the Farris Lake. It’s also an archeological area which is home to one of Norway’s largest burial mounds from the viking age. For the most part we’ve been blessed with nice and warm weather, which makes this a great place to spend time outside!
Do you spend a lot of time outdoors these days? Have a great Sunday everyone! 🙂
Aaaah, coffee – it’s so much more than just a drink. Whether you’re a casual coffee drinker or consider yourself a connoisseur, you know a good cup of coffee when you see it. With so many great coffee options at hand, you’re always guaranteed to find something you like! I spend a lot of money on coffee (even though I try my best to cut down!), but it’s simply just one of few things that brings me so much joy. It’s not just the coffee itself, but it’s a great way to be social.. I often meet friends over a cup of coffee or a lunch, sometimes both.. Coffee er great conversations starters and I actually met a couple of my best friends at a coffee shop! I love cold coffees and my go-to coffee has always been a iced latte with a shot of caramel, but that was until I was served this deliciousness of a coffee today – just look at this coffee!
It’s very similar to a Greek Frappe; it’s cold milk, sugar, and strong Nescafe coffee poured over large ice cubes. So easy and so good, so I’m definitely going to make this at home! This is the perfect coffee drink to serve along with the nice and warm weather we’re having right now (even though I would drink it on any rainy day as well!). Cheers!
What about you; do you prefer cold or warm coffees?
I love using old things to make new things, so this was such a fun project! Life these days are definitely weird. Besides those who are still fortunate to be able to work, I feel like everyone is doing the same things; cleaning and organizing their home & cars, trying out new recipes in the kitchen, having a Netflix marathon (possibily for the second time around!), cleaning out their closets, or going for walks outside in fresh air. And while it certainly feels good for a while, you get tired of that eventually and that’s when you need to find new ways to entertain yourself. I recently decided to clean out our home office and found a big pile of old Shape Up magazines laying around. All of them contained recipes I would love to try out, I therefore decided to make a “homemade diy-cookbook” using all the recipes in the magazines. This is a great way to clean up your space while taking advantage of the things you already have and want to use (in my case, the recipes). If you’re looking for a new way to entertain yourself these days, give this one a try!
Things you need; A big pile of old magazines (preferably with content you can use for your project) – clean white paper sheets – a scissor – a glue stick – a folder.
So many delicious recipes including smoothie bowls, raw brownies, waffles, pancakes, delicious desserts, fruit platters, juices, and enchiladas.. I’ll definitely try them all! 😊
If you’re looking for a cafe that’s anything but the typical mainstream coffee chains, look no further; Cafe Olivia is the place to visit next!
Located in the middle of Stavern city center, this cafe offers charming old-school interior, a great variety of food, delicious coffee, beer & wine, several types of cakes to satisfy your sweet tooth, cold water + ice and complimentary free WiFi. A big bonus is the super friendly staff + an outdoor patio that’s perfect for warmer days. If the weather cooperates, enjoy your lunch and a coffee outside in the sun. (I recommend the baguette with scrambled egg & Serrano ham + ice coffee with caramel!). Try it, you will not regret it!
Combine a visit with a walk along the Coastal Path, a visit to Fredriksvern Fortress, a stroll around Stavern city center, or all of the above. The summer months (June, July and August) is definitely the best time to visit, with markets days twice a week, lots of stalls selling different products, concerts, etc. However, there will be tons of people everywhere! Cafe Olivia is open all year round Monday – Sunday. Enjoy!
“Every man dies – not every man really lives” – William Ross
Traveling has, and always will be a huge part of my life. It gives life a sense of purpose, which is really important to me. Allowing myself to dream big (which you all should!), there are so many things I want to do and places I want to see in the world, so without further ado;
Here’s my World Bucketlist;
🌍 Grab a coffee and go for a walk on the High Line in New York, USA 🌍 See the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) in Norway 🌍 Admire the art at MOMA in New York, USA 🌍 Spend a full day at Bondi Beach, Australia 🌍 Ride a bike on Sullivan’s Island, SC, USA 🌍 Give the elephants a bath at an elephant reservation in Thailand 🌍 Explore a wildlife Safari in Africa 🌍 Enjoy the colorful scenery in Cinque Terre, Italy 🌍 Hit the waves on a surfboard in Sri Lanka 🌍 Drive Highway One from San Diego – San Francisco, USA 🌍 Enjoy delicious Italian food at a local boardwalk cafe in Italy 🌍 Rent a private longtail boat for a full day in Thailand 🌍 Walk across Brooklyn Bridge in NYC, USA 🌍 Ride a bike and enjoy famous sandwiches in Copenhagen, Denmark 🌍 Swim in the Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik, Iceland 🌍 Go on vacation in the Hamptons, USA 🌍 Pet a kangaroo/hold a koala in Australia 🌍 Admire the sunset at Oia, Santorini 🌍 Eat a lobster roll from a local crab shack in New England, USA 🌍 Be a foodie at Smorasburg open air food market in Brooklyn, USA 🌍 Enjoy an afternoon tea in London, UK 🌍 Visit the colorful neighborhood Bo Kaap in Cape Town, South Africa 🌍 Feel the vibe in the French Quarter in New Orleans, USA 🌍 Hit a bargain in the souks of Marrakesh, Morocco 🌍 Eat gelatio on Rome, Italy 🌍 Go wine tasting in Napa Valley, USA 🌍 Watch a live hockey game in Toronto, Canada 🌍 Shop for bargains at Rose Bowl Flea Market in Los Angeles, USA 🌍 Enjoy a delicious smoothie bowl in Sri Lanka 🌍 Experience the carnival in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil 🌍 Experience the blended cultures in Hanoi, Vietnam 🌍 Spend a crazy night out in Las Vegas, USA 🌍 Walk on the Great Wall of China 🌍 Admire the architecture of the Milan Cathedral in Milan, Italy 🌍 Take sunset pictures of the Sydney Opera House & Harbor Bridge 🌍 Party on a NYC rooftop in New York, USA 🌍 Jam to the music at the Coachella festival in Palm Springs, USA 🌍 Float in the Dead Sea in Israel
Do you have any places you would want to see/thing you want to do? 😀
If you’re looking for a new way to make your lunch, look no further! A couple of days ago, I was looking through my fridge to get some ideas for lunch.. I had some leftover potatoes from a previous dinner and lot’s of vegetables that was borderline going bad, so I decided to be a little creative in order to avoid throwing away food. Paired with a fresh sliced piece of bread and a couple of eggs for protein, this turned out to be a easy, but delicious lunch!
Ingredients 2 eggs – 3 hard boiled potatoes (cooled off), 1 slice of whole-wheat bread – a handful of red pepper – a small handful of green onion – cucumber
Directions It can’t get any easier than this; cut potatoes and all the vegetables into pieces and fry in a pan with a little butter, sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Set aside and make the eggs in a pan. Cut cucumber (or any vegetables you want on the side!) in pieces and pair with bread + butter. Tomatoes, avocado and feta cheese are also great options as sides.
This is without a doubt one of my outdoor favorite places! Located between Stavern and Helgeroa i southeast of Norway, you’ll find the Coastal Path – a 35 km signposted coastal path where you walk along rocky shores, sandy beaches, shallow bays and wooded areas. Along the way you’ll find breathtaking views, several camping sites, lot’s of boats and many cabins.. The Coastal Path is a fantastic experience if you enjoy walking, as you can see and hear the seabirds, breathe in the fresh, clean air, and simply live in the moment.. It’s definitely a must-do if you ever visit Stavern!
To make the most out of this experience, planning is essential. In addition to walking the Coastal Path, you also have the possibility to soak in some history and see some historic sites and monuments along the way.. Here is a map over the Coastal Path and if you plan to walk the entire path, I would set aside a full day.. 🙂
Guide to Walking the Coastal Path
What to bring; comfortable shoes + clothes, a backpack, food, drinks, snacks, toilet paper, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and your wallet. Make sure to put on comfortable shoes and clothes, I recommend workout clothes and sneakers with a solid sole. Depending on the weather, you might want to bring a fleece jacket + a wind jacket, as it’s definitely better to bring more than less. A good backpack and something to eat and drink is essential. I would recommend freezing a bottle of water + bringing a bottle of water, that way you’ll always have cold water at hand. Snacks such as trail-mix, chocolate and fruit is also a good idea. If walking in the middle of the summer, make sure to bring a towel and swimwear. There are many great places where you can take a dip in the ocean, which feels great after walking for a while. You’ll also pass several camping sites along the way, all whom have a convenience store.. If you find yourself suddenly craving some ice cream, your wallet comes in handy!
Meeting point – Stavern City Center; your day starts in Stavern City Center. If you depend on coffee in the morning, I recommend stopping by Det Gule Galleriet Cafe. If you’re like me and prefer cold coffees, I highly recommend their iced latte with caramel. It’s soo good! If you need to stop by a grocery store, there are a couple to choose from where you’ll get pretty much anything you need.
Places to visit along the way
Frediksvern Fortresss; you start you trip with a historic walk through Fredriksvern fortress. Fredriksvern is Norway’s first main navy base and the original name was Fredriksvern Verft, named after King Fredvik V. who reigned at the time. Fredriksvern has played an important role is the development of Stavern as well as in the Norwegian maritime history, and the place has been a harbor since ancient times. Today, you’ll find several art galleries and small exhibits as you pass through, and it’s also a walking path leading one of Stavern’s greatest beaches Corntin.
Hall of Remembrance (Minnehallen); is a national memorial site right next to Cornin beach. The memorial was commissioned by the Norwegian Parliament after WWI to commemorate the fallen Norwegian sailors of both World War I and II. The monument was designed by two architects from Oslo and is formed as a pyramid of locally quarried rocks. Inside you’ll find the sculpture “Abyss” and in the crypt, 7562 sailor’s names are carved on copper plates. At the alter in the main hall, you’ll find a commemorative poem to the fallen sailors by the Norwegian poet Herman Wildenvey.
Nevlunghavn; is located in a harbor located four kilometers south of Helgeroa. A former pilot station, Nevlunghavn is now a charming fishing village who has managed to preserve it’s original character – it’s characterized by many small white houses, it’s narrow streets, it’s many fishing boats and fishers who bring their catch ashore, and the views of the Skagerrak sea. In the harbor, you’ll also find several oceanside restaurants serving freshly caught, bars and cafes. I recommend grabbing lunch at Nevlunghavn Cafe & Conditori. From Nevlunghavn there are approximately 2.5 kilometres to Mølen, which is definitely worth a visit!
Mølen; is Norway’s largest beach of rolling stones and it’s a part of “Vestfoldraet”; the terrain left behind after the end of the most recent ice age 10 000 years ago. It’s a national treasure and one of the most popular attractions, both among locals and tourists. The cultural landscape is one of the most majestic landscapes in Norway; the areas had 16 large cairns, many up to 35 meters in diameter, with almost 200 small cairns in rows parallel to the shoreline. The cairns probably served as “sea markers” along the shipping lanes between different trading centers. This, combined with striking natural beauty and the position on the edge of the sea, makes it a must-see in the area. If interested in rocks or birds, this is the place for you; more than 100 different types of rocks and a total of 316 bird species has been found at Mølen. In the summer of 2008, Mølen was also made an official part of the UNESCO European Geopark.
Spring is officially here! Or, at least if you look at the calendar.. We have been blessed with the warmest winter without snow so far, so I have to admit my heart dropped when I woke up to snow a couple of days ago. As we speak it’s raining outside and the snow is finally melting, which is totally fine with me. March is the ultimate spring month and I’m so exited for warmer temperatures, hopefully sunshine, longer and brighter days, and to spend more time outside. But in the meantime..
Here’s what I’m looking forward to in March;
♥Girls trip abroad I’m going on a all girls trip to Krakow in the last weekend in March and I’m so exited! We (us girls) have been talking about going on a girls trip forever and now we finally found the time. I can’t wait to spend quality time with the girls, do some shopping, enjoy good food and delicious drinks, squeeze in a little sightseeing (I want to explore the Jewish Quarter), try out the Krakow nightlife, get a massage, and soak in everything Krakow has to offer!
♥Remain consistent in my updates on this blog One of my main goals for 2020 was to remain consistent in my updates on this blog and while I think I’ve done a pretty good job in February (13 updates), there is always room for improvement. My goal for March is to update this blog every other day, so a total of 16 blog posts throughout the month. This really shouldn’t be a problem as I love what I’m doing. Currently prepping many fun topics, so stay tuned!
♥Have a vegetarian week After making the most delicious creamy tomato soup last week, I’m more eager to explore the vegetarian world. One of the main reasons for eating more vegetarian food, is to consume more greens and vegetables (I know I don’t eat enough) and to see if it has an impact on how I feel after a meal. This is not to say that I’ll be a full blown vegetarian, but it’s fun to experiment in the kitchen. I have my eyes set on a handful of recipes, which I’ll be sharing on the blog.
♥ Do research on traveling in South-East Asia & Australia I love traveling and it will always be a priority in my life. We are heading to Thailand on a family vacation next year, but my dream is to explore more of the world in the future. I have my eyes set on South-East Asia and Australia; I want to visit and explore the real side of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Australia and Sri Lanka. Early planning is the key to success and our goal is to get the most out of this trip for as little money as possible. Have you been to any of these places? Any tips, tricks and recommendations are highly appreciated!
♥ Spend more time outside in fresh air To me, March is the definition of Spring, which means spending more time outside in fresh air. We’re talking outdoor bonfire nights, many walks along the Coastal Path, hiking someplace new and be outside in general.. I love spending time outside! Did you know that there are many benefits of spending time outside in fresh air? You’ll have increased energy, improved digestion, cleaner lungs, it’s help bolster your immune system and have an overall impact on your physical health – all good reasons to get outside!
Happy Saturday and happy weekend guys! 💙 How’s your weekend treating you so far? Regardless of what you do, I hope you have a good one! I kicked off Saturday morning with a good workout and it felt great! Now that I have established a new and steady workout routine, I also discovered the need to update my workout playlist.. I decided to keep some of the old good ones, but also added a few new ones. If you need to pump up your workout playlist, here’s whats currently on repeat on mine;
🎶 “You need to calm down” – Taylor Swift
🎶 “Play” – Alan Walker
🎶 “Fontena på Yongstorget” – Sondre Justad
🎶 “Hotel Walls” – Smith & Thell
🎶 “Salt” – Ava Max
🎶 “Blinding Lights” – The Weekend
🎶 “Changes” – Mike Perry feat Dimitri Vangelis & Whyman
🎶 “Haloes” – Ina Wroldsen
🎶 “Sucker Punch” – Sigrid
🎶 “Something New” – Axwell – Sebastian Ingrosso
A good mix between the old and the new, but I’m still looking for more tunes to add to my list. Any recommendations? Feel free to drop them in the comment section below! 🎶 Happy workout!
