Lovely Links June

1. Shop the Iconic Amsterdam 9 streets online on 9straatjesonline
2. Italian street food... YES PLEASE,  Conde Nast Traveler selected some fine examples
3. The absolutely gorgeous kitchen crew of the beautiful Ett Hemm Hotel in Stockholm maintain a
     perfect, mouthwatering Instagram Account
4. The best way to prepare for an American Road Trip... American Food per State
5. Bring California home with these awesome vintage inspired images from this Etsy Account

Recent Discovery: The Thief - Oslo

On a recent business trip to beautiful Scandinvia I was lucky enough to stay in The Thief, a great Design Hotel.

As the name implies, The Thief steals you away from everyday life... and how.

The hotel is located at the waterfront in the recently renovated Tjuvholmen district. The Tjuvholmen district is one of Oslo's most exciting urban renewal projects as a centre for art, business and night life. Overlooking the Oslofjord, a breathtaking view is guaranteed.

A 5-minute taxi ride from Oslo Central Station or a 30-minute ride from Oslo Gardemoen Airport will take you to the island of Tjuvholmen.
What once was a prison islet in the 18th century is now home to an art lovers paradise.

The check in at the hotel is amazing, the super friendly staff is more than happy to create your own little itinerary to keep you busy while waiting for your room to be ready.
The check in time is the regular 3 O'Clock, due to an early flight I arrived at 9Am. But so much to do and see to keep me busy and happy for the time being.

The Astrup Fearnly Museum of Modern art is just outside the hotel and gives guests of The Thief free access. Also within walking distance of the hotel is the Nobel Peace Price House and the small harbor from where you can take a boat trip to the breathtaking fjords.

Getting back to the hotel... staying in at this place is no punishment at all, like staying in a 5 star property is ever a punishment. The room is one of the most comfy hotel rooms I have ever stayed in, huge soft beds covered in tons of pillows, order some room service, snuggle in and watch a movie. Or find a little surprise above your mini bar- the in room shopping drawer including OPI nail polish, comfy socks, toothpaste, face masques, and many more.

Or fix yourself a drink from your minibar with your own Mini Bar Tender Guide, how awesome is that for a late night fix?

Once you get tired of your room, which I doubt by the way, take the elevator up to the Thief's rooftop bar for cocktails and a view, perfect for long summer evenings.

Don't worry about a hangover the next morning, The Thief's Spa will guarantee a relaxing and fresh start of your day. The Thief's Spa is inspired by the Norwegian nature. The Thief Signature is a gift collection for those who want to try a bit of everything. Select your fav's from the spa menu and put them together in a combination of your choice.

Comfy beds, great surroundings, good food, happy staff, a seriously cool cocktail bar and a Spa where you can create your own treatment? We will be back.

The Thief

Landgangen 1

0252 Oslo Norway

www.thethief.com 

Images in Courtersy of Hippy in High Heels 

Rooftop Image and Exterior Image in courtesy of The Thief Hotel Oslo

New Kid on The Block; Meet Morgan & Mees

In the west part of down-town Amsterdam a girl's orphanage, dating back to 1880, turned into a little piece of Boutique heaven.

Morgan and Mees opened its doors this winter and proved to be an instant hotspot for locals, travellers and foodies.

The design complements the building and neighborhood perfectly; sleek fishbone floors, cheeky art by Dutch artist Jasper Krabbé, vintage feel furniture with a modern twist and industrial touches.
In short a Parisian feel with an down to earth Amsterdam approach.

Morgan and Mees features 9 individually designed suites complete with Coco Mat bedding and amenities by the addictive Amsterdam brand Marie Stella Maris.

Morgan and Mees is is also the place for breakfast lunch, dinner or drinks and bites.
The menu includes a perfect combination of French brasserie style classics like Moules Frites and Steak Tartare but also contemporary dishes like sea bass ceviche and a Bouillabaisse to kill for.
The ingredients are pure and authentic and are complemented by an extensive wine list.

Design, good food dito wine and a fine looking crowd...

Not convinced yet? Morgan and Mees also feature a stylish courtyard. Wine in the sunshine, what else can you ask for?




Morgan & Mees
Tweede Hugo de Grootstraat 2-6
1052 LC Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Images in courtesy of Morgan and Mees

A changing wind

I was close to giving up on Hippy in High Heels. Why have a blog and never post anything...

Until I recently read a quote:

Your 20's are your selfish years.
Old enough to make the right decisions and
young enough to make the wrong ones.

Be selfish with your time-travel,
Explore, fall in love, be ridiculous and silly,
stupid and wild...
Be twenty-something

Being twenty something is not always as fun as I anticipated when I was 16. Job offers come and go, constantly doubting if the decisions you make are the right ones and  decisions defining the course of your life more and more. And then there is the constant what if...coulda-shoulda-woulda.

But the twenties are also the time for finding out who your true friends are and most importantly what your true passion is. If you loved something when you were 16 and are still loving at at 26, you are sure as hell that this passion will stick with you for the rest of your life.
I found my passion, but never realized it until a few years ago; Travel.

And that is were Hippy in High Heels takes a turn. From an all over the place, outdated blog, to a new travel blog (oh no not another one!). Including a passionate scrapbook on my travels, places I went, endless lists and tips.

Let's go....

#100daysofhappy - Day 26 Breaking the silence

I am well aware that it has been extremely quiet here on Hippy in High Heels!

In June I started a new job and moved to the city centre of Amsterdam, ever since then my life has been pretty much a rollercoaster all the time! Moving to Amsterdam, starting a new and challenging job, getting used to the bustle and hustle of living in downtown Amsterdam...

Being 25 makes me question every decision I make, every decision feels like it is more definite and will shape my future more and more... What makes me more decisive and more confident is inspiration from those who made it before us... from world leaders to famous fashionistas and from yogis to Nobel Price winners.

Women who make a difference...

In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different - Coco Chanel

Women are the largest untapped resevoir of talent in the world = Hillary Clinton

Be peaceful and love everyone - Malala Yousafzai

Choose people who lift you up - Michelle Obama

We can't become what we need to be by remaining what we are - Oprah Winfrey

Find something you are passionate about and keep tremendously intrested in it - Julia Child

#100daysofhappy - Day 25 Smile! Natural ways to a brighter smile

Of course we know that we need to brush our teeth at least twice a day, floss visit the dentist every now and then. Taking good care of your teeth is a must for good health and a bright smile ;).

However getting that big, white, sparkly Hollywood smile seems to be one step further. It takes pretty expensive professional whitening treatments and whitening strips to get results. Next to the money issue I doubt the health consequences a little bit….

Since a few weeks I started oil pulling and noticed that my teeth started to get whiter and whiter, even my mom and friends noticed it.

This got me to look into natural ways to get and maintain a bright white smile. Not completely sure if these little tricks work, but I would say that it is worth the try!

Oil Pulling
This is an ancient and relatively cheap ritual. All you need is a teaspoon of natural oil. I prefer virgin coconut oil. Swish the oil through your mouth for precisely 20 minutes. Spit the oil out and wash your mouth thoroughly with lukewarm water. The oil absorbs the toxins and bacteria in your mouth. And lots of people say they found their teeth wither after a few weeks of continuous oil pulling. I did at least ;).

Fresh Basil Leaves
Dry some basil leaves in the sun. As soon as these are completely dried out crush the leaves into a powder substance, add a little bit of water and brush your teeth with your home made basil paste.

Strawberries
The acid content in strawberries help remove buildup plaque and whiten your smile. Rub the strawberry back and forth over each tooth. After this, rinse thoroughly with water.

Water
You are not alway able to apply these fancy tricks or even brush your teeth. Something you can do at any time is swishing water through your mouth after a meal. This to remove food particles and to remove any liquids you consumed.

#100daysofhappy - Day 24 Happy Rituals

Back from the states and fueled and more inspired than ever (thank you sunshine state Florida and the amazing WholeFoods store).

Back to continue the happy days :). The sun is shining more and more and summer is just around the corner but still my head has not landed in Amsterdam yet, guess I left it somewhere in Miami.

On vacation you have all the time in the world to do everything you like. More and more I try to implement little happy rituals in my daily routines.

My current fav ones:

1. A huge morning cappuccino
2. A sunset 5K run
3. A healthy breakfast to keep me going all day, especially some crunchy granola
4. Guilty pleasure number 1, being a mindless couch potato watching too much girly tv, a current fav is Pretty Little Liars.
5. A quick morning work out routine
6. The ongoing search for the ultimate healthy cupcake

Try to do something that makes you happy everyday :).

#100daysofhappy - Day 23 See you in 2 weeks

Happy days! Packing my bags for a 2 week trip to Miami :)

I will be back asap with updates from the USA. Excited as can be!

#100daysofhappy - Day 22 Summertime Workout

A healthy and fit body, an overdose of happy endorphins in the brain, stress release, and the list goes on. I can't see no reason why a good work out won't make you happy.

To get fit for the summer I am lifting weights and I am training for the 5K. To keep me motivated a good playlist always works. This is my current favorite playlist to help me through the work out ;).

Happy work out time!

#100daysofhappy - Day 21 Yoga essentials

If everyone would practice yoga on a daily base I guess the world would be a happier place :).

I love yoga, from Bikram to Power Yoga and from Hatha Prana to Ashtanga Yoga. For me yoga releases mental blocks, brings me back into balance and my body feels like I had and hour long massage, Halleluja.

To enjoy a yoga class to the fullest a good 'yoga kit' is essential. Here are my favorites:

1. Yoga tank top from H&M
2. Splendid Cotton Track Pants via Net-A-Porter
3. Comfy blanket ideal for meditation time from Zara Home
4. Clean water to keep you hydrated with Bobble Sport
5. Colourfull yoga mats from Yoga Accessories
6. My fav after Yoga Tea, Love tea from Pukka Herbs
7. Hair Ties from Etsy

#100daysofhappy - Day 20 A chocolate treat a day ….

Happy Food pur sang is of course chocolate. I guess chocolate is one of my favorite guilty pleasures. 

A little science - lesson; chocolate causes the brain to release endorphins, a little chemical that makes us feel good. Next to the happy effect, the higher the cocoa content in the chocolate, the better. Cocoa contains a high concentration of flavonoids, which is good for a healthy hearth, blood pressure, prevents cancer and a whole lots of other benefits.

But let's cut to the chase; eating a lot of sweet and sugary chocolate is not good for you. I try to eat a piece of chocolate with at least 85% cocoa content every day. However it takes time to get used to the bitter flavor. 

This recipe is easy, extremely quick and extremely tasty. 

For 10 chocolates you'll need:

20 dates

2 table spoons of oil (either olive or sunflower)

3 large table spoons of organic cacao powder (preferably raw)

1 table spoon of dried coconut

2 large table spoons of crushed almonds

Mash the dates together with the oil, coconut and cacao powder until you have a smooth mixture (it tents to get pretty sticky, be prepared ;)). 

Roll about 10 to 15 tiny balls. Roll the balls through the crushed almonds, you can also use coconut or pistachio for example. Place the chocolate balls in the fridge for about 25 minutes.

Be sure to not eat them at once!!

#100daysofhappy - Day 19 I'd rather be at Coachella

Very high on my bucket list, no actually on top of my bucket list is to spend a weekend at the Coachella festival in Indo, Californië. I love music festivals, always have and always will; the music, the people, the connections that are made through music, the butterflies in your stomach just before the artists are about to hit the stage, the cheap beers, sunshine and overall relaxed vibes.

But Coachella adds another dimension, THE FASHION. Halleluja, hippie / bohemian chic never looked better. My fav essentials to complete your Coachella look are the following:

*Image source: Pinterest

#100daysofhappy - Day 18 H&M Conscious Looks

Luckily more and more chain brands are updating their collections with a sustainable or eco friendly line. I notice myself searching more and more for sustainable labels, not only to support the environment but to support 'healthy' and honest labor as well.

Every year H&M comes with a Conscious Collection (which is set to launch April 10th), the looks for this year are stunning and budget wise pretty affordable. But did you know that in the regular line, H&M features conscious pieces as well? Here are my fav looks for upcoming summer.

Shop these looks at www.hm.com

#100daysofhappy - Day 17 Raw Noodles

I just finished Jason Vale's (aka the juice master) 5 day juice detox. Next to juicing I spend those five days finding inspiration for healthy and pure recipes.

I came across this Great and extremely easy to prepare 'noodle' salad on www.thechalkboardmag.com .

The noodles are made from zucchini strips and the super delicious, almost paste like sauce is made by mixing raw cashew nuts, sun dried tomatoes in oil, a carrot, chili powder and fresh basil in the food processor.
Top the salad with some healthy raw hempseeds

Find the original Here

#100daysofhappy - Day 16 Happy Travels

O my there has been a huge gap since the last -happy day-! In my personal search for happiness I am in the midst of changing jobs; which explains the gap.
Last week I travelled to Dubai for a very short but very very sweet trip. Traveling is one of the things that makes me extremely happy (guess I am not the only one). Traveling however can be tiresome, herewith my favorite travel essentials which make my journey more pleasant.

1. Comfy sweater from Mango

2. The softest sweatpants ever from American Eagle Outfitters

3. Warm hand-knitted socks from my fav Dutch brand Kiboots

4. To keep your face refreshed and moisturized use Multi Active Toner by Dermalogica

5. Hydrate with organic coconut water, my favorite is Zico

6. Keep your hands moist and supersoft with hand cream from l'occitane

7. Sleepkit from Anatomicals via ASOS

#100daysofhappy - Day 15 Pursuit of Happiness

Olivia Palermo put it perfectly; Life is about falling in love with the right person, shopping, eating your favorite decadent desserts and traveling a lot.

#100daysofhappy - Day 14 Vday preparations!

I think the best way to surprise your sweetheart at Valentine is with a home made present, that includes a whole lotta love.

In search of some inspiration, here my fav do it yourselfs so far.

Home made teabags filled with your love's fav blend 

From:  Marthe Stewart

Stamped bags filled with your love's fav candy

From: Todaysmama 

Beautiful, picture perfect meringues 

From: Cupcakes and Cashmere

A bag filled with bear hugs!

From: Spoonful

#100daysofhappy - Day 13 Juice time!

I am still getting used to veggie juices, however I have discovered that apples sweeten everything up. This juice is sweet and spicy at the same time. Spicy depending on the amount of ginger you add.

For this colorful veggie juice you will need for one large glass:

• 2 apples
• 1 beetroot
• 2 large carrots
• 2cm of ginger root

#100daysofhappy - Day 12 Books

Sometimes my train ride to work can't take too long enough. Not that I don't want to work, I am just so into my book.
I love reading chick lits, literature, fiction, non-fiction etc. Reading is not only fun, it is good for your health as well. Some studies have shown that reading can actually improve the overall quality of your life.

Some fun facts:

• If you read a lot, your likely to remember more and learn something new every day
• Reading can lower the risk at getting Alzheimer's disease
• A book can help you relax
• A research carried out by the University of Toronto suggest that reading fiction helps you to be more open-minded and boasts your creative thinking
• Reading expands your memory
• By reading a lot you expand your vocabulary, making you sound like a genius ;)

Happy reading!

#100daysofhappy - Day 11 Enjoy the little things

Sometimes happiness can be found in the littlest of things. This week I bought myself a pink tiny notebook for noting down thoughts and quotes, instant happiness. Another instant happiness is a huge pile of magazines, green tea and a warm bed… Hello weekend!

-X-
Venke