my blog is 4 years old!

Ahhh I still remember that sweet winters day in 2015 when I started my blog... How time flies (when you're having fun but also some hard times)!

I remember doubting every step I took at the beginning of this adventure. And look at us now! So much has happened. And even in these busy weeks (especially this one, school deadlines...) I wanted to dedicate a post to this amazing anniversary. Partly because I never ever would have thought I'd still be doing this now, but I love it.

I feel like I was kind of original at the beginning of this journey. I came up with new ideas to post and things to write about. I've kind of lost that over the years due to lack of time or energy. But now I feel like I'm slowly regaining my voice and just filling my blog with my interests. In the upcoming year I'd like to do this even more. I already have some ideas to incorporate my art in my blog and the exchange abroad which I'm going to make at the beginning of September next year will be another highlight that I can't wait to share.

And for anyone who reads this: Thank you for your support, kind words and the fact that you're reading this. It means more to me than you know. I hope you have a lovely sunday & will stick with me for another year <3

love,

eva

darling flowers wallpaper

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turning twenty

11 11 2019

today i became twenty years old. twenty years on this globe. the past couple of months people have asked me, and i have asked myself, how does that feel? almost being twenty? being twenty now, on this day? 

to be honest, at first i dreaded it. twenty years is a lot. i thought i had to say goodbye to my teenage years. the years that held most of my memories. but then i was reminded that it wasn’t a goodbye. it was a see you again. see you when i’m reminded, or whenever i need those lessons and memories.

i am very grateful of what the years from my tenth birthday up till now have brought me. i feel like they are the years where i discovered who i was. or helped me change to who i wanted to be, or was meant to be. i’m happy with all the lessons it gave me, all the questions and all the answers. some of which i have yet to discover. 

something also changed in the feeling about 'facing my twenties'. i felt, and feel, a sense of peace. of calmness. entering my twenties today feels like a new ten years have been added to my future, in which i can make mistakes, learn, grow. being twenty has made me look back, but also look forward in the sense that i will be able to do so much. to build upon the things i’ve done and gain new experiences or revisit old ones. it's scary, but exciting.

it’s nice being twenty. to be able to look back. like today, i’m taking a journey by train to university, not even a bit afraid of all the things that could go wrong. this seems like a small thing, but it’s something i wouldn’t have imagined to do a few years ago. 

but it's also nice to look forward to what the future may bring. to dream without expectations and be excited about all the love and friendship and little moments that will be there. 

i hope on this day, the eleventh of the eleventh, wherever you are, you have a nice day filled with lots of little moments. the moments that matter. and that you don’t dread what’s in your future or past, but live and love the now. 

lots of love,

eva

my favourite spots in rotterdam

i have lived near rotterdam my whole life. on my blog this doesn't show that often, whilst the big city has a lot of great things to offer. lots of cute shops and cafes are located in the city that i know oh so well (and i must admit that i still have lots to discover!) & i want to fill this post with a few of my favorites.

KEET - oppert 2a
this concept store on the corner of oppert is filled with the best presents and other bits and pieces. it is a great place to stop by and buy a treat for your room/home or some ear- and wristcandy. they also have a cafe where you can take a little break from shopping. i've never eaten there before but it's certainly on my to do list!

ten to three bakery - aert van nesstraat 24
if you're looking for a different spot to have an afternoon break (and maybe it happens to be ten to three o'clock) this bakery is the place to be. it might be a bit hard to find at first, but when you step inside the bakery you'll be transported down the rabbit hole in a very alice in wonderland-esque decor. i would highly recommend tasting the cupcakes or drinking a cup of tea with scones whilst you're there! (they also have a spot in the foodhallen now!)

we are labels - meent 119-121
on to clothing shops! we are labels is a shop which sells a lot of different brands. and not the average brands. they have a nice collection, mostly color sorted. i bought a blouse here myself from la petite étoile and i love it so much! if you're looking for something a bit different from the main shops, this is the place to be!

very cherry - botersloot 52a
vintage galore! this shop sells vintage-style clothing, own brand and others. i love to go in there for inspiration and really have been longing to buy something, a nice 50's dress maybe... really recommend if you're into barets, swing dresses & all other things vintage.

unc wardrobe - oude binnenweg 42
this is another shop i recently discovered. they have a pop up store and a normal store in rotterdam and they sell really nice clothes and jewelry. the shop is similar to we are labels but their collection has a bit more of a girly touch.

harolds grafik - burgemeester van walsumweg 730
this store is maybe a bit out of the usual route, but still quite close to the markthal! this is my go to shop if i need art supplies. well, need... it's packed with markers, paint, brushes and sketchbooks. it's also just a very nice art shop to look around and daydream about all the things you could create!

have you ever visited rotterdam?

love,

eva

moments of bliss

lately i've been a little out of touch. with myself. with the people around me. with life. i've been so focused on school and work and the stress that it was giving me. it was all just building up inside me like a storm. until i read one of daisybutter's petite joys and saw this post on louvette. it made me realize i'd gone too long without noticing the little things. stopping to smell the roses and feel the sunshine on my face. with the upcoming season, autumn, nature gives me so much joy. and i'm happy i caught myself in time to realize it's time to be a little more mindful & attentional to the world around me. 

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