Hey, guys, gather 'round for a festive tale that involves Christmas, family, and a touch of Spanish charm. So, this year, my brother Pepe threw out an invite for me to join his Christmas bash with the fam. Now, it's been a whopping six years since I last caught up with Pepe, and with my recent move to Spain, it seemed like the perfect chance to reconnect with him.
Our holiday hideaway? None other than Llanars, this adorable spot tucked away in the Pyrenean comarca of RipollÃĻs in Girona, Catalonia, Spain. Just a breezy two-hour drive from Barcelona, and let me tell you, we lucked out with the weather. Clear skies and a warmth that went beyond the temperature. His family rolled out the welcome mat. A big thanks to them and, of course, to Pepe for making the whole stay happen.
Having holidays in Spain has been brilliant! It's not like being a normal tourist – it's more like being part of the local scene. Staying with people you know in the country is like finding a secret passage to how they live. It makes a big difference, believe me!
Wishing everyone a fantastic holiday season filled with joy and festive cheer! May your celebrations be merry and bright. Cheers to spreading love and happiness during this wonderful time of the year.
Hugs/Anne
Hola, chicos, reunÃos para una historia festiva que involucra Navidad, familia y un toque espaÃąol encantador. Este aÃąo, mi hermano Pepe me hizo una invitaciÃģn para unirme a su celebraciÃģn navideÃąa con la familia. Han pasado seis aÃąos desde la Última vez que me encontrÃĐ con Pepe, y con mi reciente traslado a EspaÃąa, parecÃa la oportunidad perfecta para volver a conectarme con ÃĐl.
¿Nuestro refugio navideÃąo? Nada menos que Llanars, este lugar adorable escondido en la comarca pirenaica de RipollÃĻs en Girona, CataluÃąa, EspaÃąa. A solo dos horas en coche de Barcelona, y dÃĐjenme decirles, tuvimos suerte con el clima. Cielos despejados y un calor que iba mÃĄs allÃĄ de lo que me hubiera esperado . Su familia nos abriÃģ las puertas con una gran bienvenida. Un gran agradecimiento a ellos y, por supuesto, a Pepe por hacer que toda la estancia fuera posible.
¡Tener vacaciones en EspaÃąa ha sido genial! No es como ser un turista normal, es mÃĄs como ser parte de la escena local. Quedarse con personas que conoces en el paÃs es como encontrar un pasaje secreto de cÃģmo viven. ¡Hace una gran diferencia, crÃĐanme!
¡Les deseo a todos unas fantÃĄsticas fiestas llenas de alegrÃa y espÃritu festivo! Que sus celebraciones sean alegres y brillantes. Brindemos por esparcir amor y felicidad durante esta maravillosa ÃĐpoca del aÃąo.
Guess what's on my agenda today? We're diving headfirst into the mission of transforming our office into a sleek, stylish space before this coming spring blossoms in. Now, before you picture a team of professionals armed with power tools, let me spill the beans – it's just us, a can-do attitude, and a sprinkle of determination hehehe :)
Well, let's just say my Spanish isn't exactly top-notch, and hiring skilled labour could cost a pretty penny. So, what's a budget-savvy, language-challenged individual to do? Roll up those sleeves, grab some tools, and channel the inner handyman!
I'm ready to give our office the glow-up it deserves.
Stay tuned for this office makeover, it is about to become a masterpiece hehe, thanks to a little bit of elbow grease and a whole lot of heart.
I've been on a bit of a personal journey lately that I wanted to share with you all. For a while, I shied away from the camera because, truth be told, I wasn't too confident about my body.
I often found myself receiving comments from people, especially when I went back to Thailand. It's as if everyone there remembered the younger version of myself—the one who could devour snacks around the clock, guzzle a liter of Coke daily without a care, and still be very slim. But guess what? Times change, and so do our bodies. I'm not getting any younger, and my body has undergone its own transformations.
From a young age, I've been subjected to conflicting views. When I was slim, I faced criticism for being too thin. Yet, when I gained weight and achieved what society considers a standard size, the narrative shifted to labeling me as overweight. It's a perplexing paradox that has left me feeling as though I can never meet the elusive standards set by societal expectations.
Living in Sweden has been a game-changer in this regard. Here, people rarely comment on others' appearances; it's almost a taboo subject. In contrast, my experiences back in Thailand, and I'd wager in many other Asian countries, have been quite different. It's almost second nature for people to discuss and comment on each other's bodies, especially during greetings. I understand it's a cultural thing, and most of the time, they don't mean any harm. But the impact can be surprisingly profound. It took me many years to truly embrace and love my body again.
In the circles of those close to me, it's likely that they've heard me complain countless times about my perceived weight issues. Strangely, the truth is, I am not overweight at all. The source of this self-critique lies in the comments I encountered while growing up, which, regrettably, have left an indelible mark on my psyche. The constant bombardment of opinions about my body has created a distorted self-image, making it seem impossible for me to ever feel content with my appearance.
Admittedly, it's been a bit of a struggle. Body dysmorphia can be a tough nut to crack. However, I'm making a conscious effort to love my body as it is right now. It's not about conforming to societal ideals or succumbing to external pressures—it's about accepting and appreciating myself.
So, here I am, sharing a piece of my journey with you all. Let's remember that our bodies are incredible vessels that change with time. It's okay to evolve, and it's okay to love yourself at every stage. If I can overcome my body dysmorphia, so can you. Let's celebrate ourselves, our uniqueness, and the beauty in every form.
Finally time to do what I love “draping”. āđāļ§āļĨāļēāļ§่āļēāļāđ āļิāļāļāļ°āđāļĢāđāļĄ่āļāļāļ āļŠิ่āļāļี่ relax āļีāļāļāļĒ่āļēāļāļืāļāļāļēāļĢāļัāļāđāļāļĢāļ āđāļāļēāļ้āļēāļĄāļēāļัāļāđāļ่āļēāļĒāļีāđāļĄ่āļ้āļāļāđāļĒ็āļāļ็āļāļāļāļāļēāļāđāļ้āđāđāļĨ้āļ§ āđāļĢāļēāđāļ็āļāļāļāļี่āđāļĒ็āļāļ้āļēāđāļĄ่āļ่āļāļĒāđāļ่āļ āļāļāđāļ็āļāđāļāļĢāļāļัāļāļีāđāļāļ์āļĨāļ°āļัāļāđāļāļāļ° āļāļēāļāļิāļāļāļēāļĄāđāļāļĢāļāļ์āļ้āļ§āļĒāļ้āļēāļุāļāļāļ
During my free time, when I can't think of anything, another thing I find relaxing is DRAPING. Taking a piece of fabric and wrapping it around neatly without the need for sewing can definitely create some great results. I'm not particularly skilled at sewing, so draping and designing are more my cup of tea. Please follow and support my brand! Thank you everyone.
It was my birthday yesterday, typically an unremarkable occasion for me, with little fanfare. The usual celebration involves a quiet dinner with my nearest and dearest. However, this year was different, as I am in Spain for work.
To my pleasant surprise, I was presented with an enormous bouquet of flowers from my sister (sister from another mother). The bouquet was sent to my golf club, adding an unexpected touch of delight to the day.
As I've mentioned before, birthdays are usually just another day for me, but receiving a gift from someone I hold dear brought tears of joy to my eyes. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to you babe for consistently caring and thinking of me. Your compassionate nature extends to everyone around you, and your intentions for your loved ones are always the best.
This year, one of my wishes is for your caring spirit to accompany us as we age gracefully
I would also like to express my gratitude to everyone for sending their good wishes. May all the good wishes be returned to you.
Nestled along the coastline of Punta UmbrÃa, a picturesque town in Spain's Andalusian region, you'll discover Chiringuito der Matias— a restaurant that captures the essence of Spanish beachside dining. With its welcoming atmosphere, delectable cuisine, and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, Chiringuito der Matias is a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists seeking an authentic taste of Spain.
Chiringuito der Matias is situated right on the sandy shores of Punta UmbrÃa, Chiringuito der Matias boasts an idyllic location that makes it the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch. The restaurant's laid-back, beachside ambiance creates a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. You can dine at shaded tables mere steps from the water, listening to the soothing sound of waves lapping the shore.
Mai Khao Beach in Phuket, Thailand, is a hidden gem that boasts pristine shores, stunning sunsets, and an enchanting atmosphere. Nestled on the northwest coast of the island, this beach is a sanctuary for those seeking a peaceful escape from the bustling tourist spots. Join me as we embark on a delightful afternoon walk along the shores of Mai Khao Beach, where the big waves, golden sands, and natural beauty come together to create an unforgettable experience.
Today, I'm excited to share my recent experience during my extended stay in Phuket, Thailand. Before heading back to Sweden, I needed to renew my passport in Phuket, which gave me the perfect excuse to linger a bit longer. I decided to extend my stay by about a week, and I was determined to make the most of it. Choosing the right accommodation was crucial for me; I was looking for a place where I could do most of my activities within the hotel premises and simply unwind.
Thankfully, my cousin - Beer - gave me a fantastic recommendation, and I couldn't have been happier with my choice. The hotel he suggested turned out to be an absolute gem. From the moment I arrived, I was enveloped in a serene atmosphere that made me forget all about the hustle and bustle of daily life. The tranquility was just what I needed for a relaxing vacation.
The staff at the hotel were incredibly friendly and welcoming. Their warm hospitality added an extra layer of comfort to my stay. If you're like me and prefer a travel experience that feels more private and personalised, then Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao Phuket is an excellent choice. The only drawback is that the hotel is somewhat distant from the city, requiring a short drive to reach downtown. Some might consider it a disadvantage, but for me, it's perfect. I appreciated the fact that it's nestled in a quieter, less touristy area. It allowed me to truly disconnect and immerse myself in the serenity of Phuket.
If you're traveling with the entire family, including kids, this might aslo be an ideal option. The hotel offers a plethora of activities for both you and your children to enjoy together. Alternatively, you can simply relax within your area, soaking up the sun and swimming all day.
This time I chose a two-bedroom suite, even though I would only be using one of the rooms and the prices were not significantly different. An extra space was a luxury for me.
Whether you're traveling with family, friends, or simply want more room to spread out and relax, I highly recommend going for the larger option.
ANANTARA VACATION CLUB MAI KHAO PHUKET could be your ideal choice if you're seeking a private and tranquil travel experience. Don't let its slightly remote location deter you; sometimes, the road less traveled leads to the most rewarding experiences.
āļ้āļēāđāļื่āļāļāđāļāļāđāļŦāļāļ้āļāļāļāļēāļĢāļāļĢāļ°āļŠāļāļāļēāļĢāļ์āļี่āļัāļāđāļāļāđāļ็āļāļŠ่āļ§āļāļัāļ§ ANANTARA VACATION CLUB MAI KHAO PHUKET āļืāļāļāļēāļāđāļĨืāļāļāļี่āļĒāļāļāđāļĒี่āļĒāļĄāļ่āļ° āļ้āļāđāļŠีāļĒāļāļĒ่āļēāļāđāļีāļĒāļ§āļืāļāđāļĢāļāđāļĢāļĄāļāļĒู่āļāļāļāđāļĄืāļāļāļึ่āļāļ้āļāļāļัāļāļĢāļāđāļื่āļāđāļāļāļ°āđāļ Phuket Town āļāļēāļāļāļāļāļēāļāļāļ°āļิāļāļ§่āļēāđāļ็āļāļ้āļāđāļŠีāļĒ āđāļ่āļŠāļģāļŦāļĢัāļāđāļāļāļีāļ่āļ° āđāļāļāļāļāļāļāļ§āļēāļĄāđāļีāļĒāļāļŠāļāļāļāļģāđāļŦ้āļĢู้āļŠึāļāļŦāļĨุāļāļāļāļāļāļēāļāļāļ§āļēāļĄāļ§ุ่āļāļ§āļēāļĒāđāļ้
What a splendid weather we're having today; it's 25 degrees Celsius here in Stockholm. I decided to go out for a lunch near our summer house at SjÃķboden DjurÃķnÃĪset. I got a really yummy shrimp summer salad, a coke, and lemon curd ice cream. The lunch cost about 295 kr, which is a fair price considering the lovely view and the pleasant, laid-back meal that make it worthwhile. You can reach the restaurant either by car or by boat.
Today's weather was just perfect! I mean, the sun was shining, and there's a cool breeze - the kind of weather you could't resist working outside. So, Pappa (Bengt), Calle, and I decided to tackle a little project. We gave our terrace a much-needed fresh coat of oil before our dear friend Amp, her hubby, and their kids came over later in the evening.
It's been ages since I last saw Amp. Besides I really looked forward to meeting Amp's adorable little one, Nora. Moreover, Amp just recently welcomed a new addition to her family - Luna, a precious bundle of joy who entered this world just six months ago. Could't wait to see Luna's cute smile and witness the love and warmth that surrounds her.
I feel so blessed to have such amazing people in my life. We all had a great evening full of laughter, memories, and love! Ciao! ð
āđāļĄ่āđāļ้āđāļāļāļัāļāļāļēāļāļĄāļēāļ āđāļ้āđāđāļ่āđāļĄāļēāļ์āļัāļāļāļēāļāđāļāļĢāļĻัāļāļ์ āļ§ัāļāļี้āļāļ°āđāļ้āđāļāļāļŦāļĨāļēāļāļ้āļāļĒāļ่āļēāļĢัāļ Nora āļัāļ Luna āļัāļāļี āļĢู้āļŠึāļāđāļāļāļีāļี่āļĄีāđāļื่āļāļāļีāđāđāļāļีāļ§ิāļ āļ§ัāļāļี้āļŠāļุāļāļĄāļēāļāļāļĢ้āļē ð
VÃĪder var helt perfekt idag! Solen sken och det blÃĨste en sval bris - den typen av vÃĪder som man inte kan motstÃĨ att jobba utomhus. SÃĨ, Pappa (Bengt), Calle och jag bestÃĪmde oss fÃķr att ge vÃĨr terrass ett vÃĪlbehÃķvligt nytt lager olja innan min kÃĪra vÃĪn Amp, hennes man och deras gulliga barn kom Ãķver senare pÃĨ kvÃĪllen.
Det var lÃĪnge sedan Amp och Jag trÃĪffades sist!. Idag sÃĨg Jagverkligen fram emot att trÃĪffa Amps lilla Nora. Dessutom har Amp nyligen vÃĪlkomnat ett nytt tillskott till sin familj - Luna, en dyrbar liten glÃĪdjekÃĪlla som kom till vÃĪrlden fÃķr bara sex mÃĨnader sedan.
Jag kÃĪnner mig sÃĨ vÃĪlsignad som har fÃĨtt sÃĨ fantastiska mÃĪnniskor i mitt liv. Alla hade en fantastisk kvÃĪll fylld av skratt, minnen och kÃĪrlek! Ciao! ð
āļ§ัāļāļี้āđāļ๊āđāļĄāļĒ์āļāļ°āļāļĨัāļāđāļĨ้āļ§āļāļēāļāļāļĒāļēāļāđāļāļāļēāļāļิ่āļĄāļāļģāļี่āđāļāļāļีāļ็āđāļĨāļĒāļāļēāđāļāļ่āļāļāļี่āļāļ°āđāļāļŠ่āļāļี่āļŠāļāļēāļĄāļิāļāļ้āļē Today, Mae is going back. She wanted to eat dim sum at...
