Kinsale: Ireland's Cutest Village

This is the next stop I would like to share with you from my road trip in the autumn. Kinsale was one of your first stops along the Irish coast line. 

It is located in the south of Ireland, not far off Cork. 

What makes Kinsale particularly special is how colourful the town is. All houses are painted in different, bright colours, and you won't find one boring one. Ones that have less colour on the façade are then decorated with lots of flowers or embellishments. This whole meticulous appearance leaves the impression of a very neat and well-kept town.

Paired with the numerous cobblestone walls, the colours in Kinsale really accentuate the town and make it a joy to walk through these streets.

Kinsale was literally one of the cutest places we visited. It is a small village, but built in a way that you can always turn around one corner and discover something totally new. Still, it is easy to walk everywhere, and it won't take you much time.

We passed so many special and individual stores: cafés, bookshop, a café in a bookshop, art supplies, kids' wear, jewellery, and anything else you can imagine. Looking at the windows of all these local shops made walking through the town centre even more interesting.

For lunch we then frequented one of the nice cafés we saw during our stroll through the centre. The Lemon Leaf Café made for a great experience, and that's why I'd love to point it out especially.

It is such a cute café, decorated nicely and the staff was incredibly friendly and hospitable. We felt really comfortable there, and had a lovely lunch.

Their sandwiches are really a great choice! With both wholegrain and white bread, you can have lots of different kinds of sandwiches. The one I had was wholegrain with avocado, lettuce, cheese, home-made mayo and ham. It was served with a side of sweet potato and beetroot crisps.

In addition to the great sandwiches, the selection of cakes is also worth a try. Me and my friends all opted for different ones, and weren't able to decide which one was the best. In the picture shown is a walnut coffee cake, but I can also really recommend the carrot cake, banoffee pie and cheesecake.

I have to say that I can definitely recommend you go check out Kinsale should you ever find yourselves in the area. It's not big, but it makes for such a pleasant afternoon stay that you can't miss it!

Has anyone of you ever been there?
xx, Misch

Loch Shiel: the lake where the magic happens

When we were in Scotland, we of course had to visit a couple of the famous lochs located all over the western part of the country. One on the list was Loch Shiel, which is not far from Fort William.

On the northern end of the loch, where we went, you can have a nice view down the lake. You can walk all the way down to the water and along the shore.
Right by the loch there's the Glenfinnan Monument, a very popular monument depicting a highlander in a kilt on top of a tower.

Just a couple of metres away from the loch there's a visitor centre and a trail leads up a hill. After a walk of maybe five minutes, you reach the top of the hill and have a wonderful look down on the lake and the surrounding area.

What you can also see from the hilltop is the Glenfinnan Viaduct. It is a railway viaduct to which you can also walk. It is about another 10 minutes or so into the country, and you can walk right to the foots of the columns. You have a better overview, though, if you stand a little elevated.

On thing that makes Loch Shiel so special to us, and made it a must-see on our list, is that it's the place where Hogwarts is situated. The Great Lake in the movies is Loch Shiel! And the Glenfinnan Viaduct is the way the Hogwarts Express takes to get to the castle.
When we were standing there, it was so simple to imagine Hogwarts there on the side of the lake, or to see Buckbeak flying over the water. It is a very magical place!

Even if you're not a Harry Potter fan, Loch Shiel is definitely worth a visit. We saw the scenery in the autumn, around the middle of October, and it was breathtaking. The leaves in the woods that surround the top of the lake made everything so colourful, which makes for a stunning effect. It's incredibly beautiful and very calm and peaceful. I loved it there! Especially because we went in the late afternoon, which meant that pretty much nobody but us was around.

The loch has a fantastic mirror effect, which adds to the beauty of it. Seeing everything reflected in the water gives the whole scenery a symmetry that is very pleasing for the eye. And it makes it look so much more magical and inspiring.

I can highly recommend seeing Loch Shiel. It's such a pretty loch, and it has to be my favourite of those we saw. It being a Harry Potter filming location only is an added bonus!

Have any of you ever been there?
xx, Misch

Cliffs of Moher: a must-see in Ireland

This stop was one of the most exciting ones we had in Ireland: the Cliffs of Moher.

These cliffs are a super fascinating scenery located directly on the western coast line of Ireland, about halfway between Limerick and Galway. If you follow the Wild Atlantic Way, you will directly drive along them.

When visiting the Cliffs of Moher, you can explore a little exhibition about the cliffs and all kinds of facts in the Exhibition Centre. And then, outside, there's a long way to walk along the cliffs. Starting at the exhibition centre, you can walk quite a couple of kilometres both to the left and the right.
If you prefer to stay safe and a bit away from the actual cliffs, it is better to choose the way to the left, where you have more of an actual path.
To the right, the fixed path ends relatively soon, but you can proceed on a way over some fields. There are no boundaries stopping you from stepping all the way to the edge. This is way more fun, if you like a bit of a risk, but also more dangerous.
We walked in both directions, and they were equally beautiful. The right side was more exciting, though.

You can walk directly along the edge at approximately 200 metres above the sea. The feeling you get up there is indescribable. It's frightening but at the same time very exciting. You're full of adrenaline when you look down, because it really wouldn't take much to fall down.
We sat down at one point, feet dangling in the air, and it was such a strange but good feeling. I was most certainly scared, but I am so glad that I did it and made myself sit down.

The Cliffs of Moher are very popular, not only for their beauty but also because they were a shooting location for Harry Potter. The scene in Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince, where Harry and Dumbledore are standing on a cliff in the sea, right before they enter Tom Riddle's cave where he hid the amulet horcrux, was filmed there.
You can see the platform on which they stood in the water, but can also tell that in the movie a lot of CGI and editing was used. It's exciting nonetheless!

Even though it was a rainy and windy day when we were there, we spent hours walking along the cliffs, taking pictures and enjoying it as best as we could. We are deeply impressed by the scenery, and I would most certainly go back.

I highly recommend this experience, and hope that you too will check it out, should you ever find yourselves in that area. But please be safe and don't risk too much by stepping too close to the edge!

xx, Misch

Remember Remember the 5th of November

Today's the 5th of January, which made me think back two months: to the 5th of November.

In the UK, the 5th of November is called Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes Night. It is a annual event held to commemorate 5 November 1605, where a guy named Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the parliament and kill the king, in which he did not succeed.

Remember, remember, the fifth of November

Gunpowder, treason and plot;

I know of no reason why gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot.

There are bonfires and fireworks all over the country, and lots of people go to watch the spectacle.

On this day we found ourselves near Portsmouth, where we also spent the afternoon. We saw the docks and a bit of the university buildings.

Later in the evening, we drove out to a suburb named Cosham, where there was a fireworks show. The bonfire was really big, but they wouldn't let you go near it. 

There were lots of people, especially families, waiting for the fireworks show. And it was so great! One of the prettiest fireworks I've ever seen. Full of different explosions, and stunning to watch. The whole crowd was ooh-ing and aah-ing, because it was such an impressive show. Also a pretty long one, because it lasted almost 25 minutes!

I really enjoyed that night, and will most certainly remember this 5th of November.

Where did you spend Bonfire Night last year?

xx, Misch

End of Year Tag 2014

Another year over! And what a year it was. Full of surprises, excitement and events. Some negative, some positive. And all in all, very important for everyone in their own personal way. Because whether it was mainly good or bad, whatever throwbacks or boosts happened, 2014 has most certainly shaped your personality. You're different now from how you were at this point last year. Everything is evolving, and you're most definitely getting stronger this way.

And because 2014 was such an important year, let's talk about it!

• 1:What did you do in 2014 that you've never done before?
• Lots of things. What particularly stands out is that I got my first tattoo.
• 2:Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
• I don't remember making any intentional new year's resolutions, as in I didn't set up a list of concrete things I want to accomplish. I'm positive that I had some thoughts in mind, such as to study harder or exercise more or something like that. Just the regulars. And I did not really keep them, I'm afraid.
• But this year I've actually got a set of things I would like to accomplish, and they're more defined than last year's.
• 3: What is your feeling towards 2015?
• I feel very good about it. At each New Year's Eve during the last couple of years, I've felt more overwhelmed by the fact that the year had already gone by, and didn't think too far into the future.
• But this time I am, and I'm very much looking forward to a new start. It's been hard during the past couple of weeks to get up and do certain things, and they are what I need to do. So no more excuses in 2015, and more getting done!
• And by the end of this new year, I will (hopefully) have travelled a couple of countries, have started uni, have moved out. There's a lot to be accomplished!
• 4: With whom did you spend the most time, and with whom the best?
• That definitely has to be my friends. Spent very much time with them, especially with the ones with whom I went on a road trip. And I would say that was also the best time I had, together with them. 

• 5:What countries did you visit?
• Quite a couple, which I'm very glad about: Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. And I enjoyed my time in every single one of them!
• 6:What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?
• I would like to have more deliberately spent times. Ones where I'm actually aware of the importance of what is happening. It's very hard to describe that feeling that I sometimes get, but it's something along the lines of only realizing the importance of something when it's nearly over. That's what I'd like to stop!
• 7:What dates from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
• My birthday, because it brought some positive changes with it.
• June 28, when I graduated from school.
• September 15, when I finally had my braces removed.
• September 16, when I had a truly happy day.
• September 19 to November 16, where I did a road trip. All of it is important!
• November 17, the day I was with my family again and saw Ed Sheeran live in concert.
• 8:What was your biggest achievement of the year?
• Probably finishing school with a very good result in my A Levels.
• 9:What was your biggest failure?
• I feel like this has to be not figuring out what I want to do in the future. I know these things take time, but I kind of could have gotten more of an idea during this year. I'm not on the same level of ignorance as in the beginning of 2014, but it's still not enough for me. This is why it's one of my main resolutions, to not let that happen anymore.
• 10:Did you suffer illness or injury?
• Luckily nothing bad!
• 11:What was the best thing you bought?
• That's my tattoo for me. It's not a thing to hold in my hand, but it cost money and I got it for myself, so it counts. And I love having it!
• 12:Whose behaviour merited celebration?
• That of my closest friends, who are incredibly understanding and willing to talk about everything.
• 13:Whose behaviour made you appalled?
• In a way, that of my parents concerning my doing a gap year. It's not like they don't support me, or weren't okay with it, but they seem to think that I take my future very casually and don't like to give it any thought. Well, I very much do. But they don't really seem to get that.
• 14:Where did most of your money go?
• Without doubt, I spent it on food. Especially while being abroad I realized how much money I spend on nutrition and trips to restaurants and snacks and everything. A lot was not necessary, but food is after all a good thing.
• 15:What did you get really, really, really excited about?
• My trip to the Harry Potter Studio Tour at the Warner Bros Studios in London. I felt like a child, even more excited actually, and it was one of the best days of this year.
• 16:What song will always remind you of 2014?
• In a negative way, Atemlos by Helene Fischer. They played it everywhere, all the time, and now I've come to despise it. But it will definitely remind me of this year!
• Other than that, the whole 'X' album by Ed Sheeran, which I love with all my soul, and will never get tired of.
• 17:Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?
• (a) happier
• (b) fatter
• (c) richer
• 18:What do you wish you'd done more of?
• I wish I'd read more, I'd socialised more, I'd went outside more.
• 19:What do you wish you'd done less of?
• I wish I'd worried less, and spent less time on studying things I never needed.
• 20:How did you spend Christmas?
• In a small circle with my parents, sisters, and Grandma on the actual day; a couple of days ahead with my best friends which was a lovely night.
• 21:Did you fall in love in 2014?
• With lots of things, yes, and places and activities, but not really with any person.
• 22:What was your favourite TV programme?
• In the beginning of the year most certainly Sherlock, with the new season and everything. And then also Supernatural, which I love to bits.
• 23: What was the greatest event of the year?
• I simply cannot decide on this one. In terms of importance, it might be my graduation, but concerning how the actual day went, it was great but not the best day. Still, a great event!
• 24:What was the best book you read?
• I have to go with the Goldfinch by Donna Tartt for this one. I really enjoyed it, loved the thoughts behind it, and the fact that I nearly took 5 months to finish it definitely makes it the book of the year.
• 25:What was your greatest musical discovery?
• So so many new bands! I've gotten into a lot of new stuff, among it Jake Bugg, Arctic Monkeys, Alt-J, Jesper Munk, To Kill A King, Spring Offensive, Two Door Cinema Club, and many more!
• 26:What did you want and get?
• Materialistically speaking, a couple of great clothes from Urban Outfitters that I'm so glad that I treated myself to them.
• More metaphorically speaking, freedom. I did many new things and I loved that!
• 27:What did you want and not get?
• A definite idea of what I want to do at uni. 
• 28:What was your favourite film of this year?
• I really enjoyed The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, but that is probably too recent and blocks better films I've seen. I also really enjoyed The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Divergent.
• 29:What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
• Knowing that I would graduate from school in the summer. It made all the pressure and stress from school somewhat durable.
• 30:How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014?
• A lot more black, and a tad more alternative. This is definitely not what I would have expected from myself, but I like it so much by now, I'm very glad of changing my style a bit. I also wore lots of crop tops! 
• 31:What kept you sane?
• Long talks with my friends. Knowing that they have as little of an idea of what to do after school as I do helped me so much. Because it's way easier to handle this when you know you're not alone with it. 
• 32:Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
• Probably Ed Sheeran and Jensen Ackles.
• 33:What political issue stirred you the most?
• Believe me, there were many. Our world has many, many serious issues to work out, and people are far from the standards that could be possible in terms of openness and acceptance.
• One that is definitely among the most stirring ones is what happened in Ferguson.
• 34:Who did you miss?
• Tow of my closest friends moved abroad for a certain time, and I did and very much do miss them. I can't wait to see them again next year!
• 35:Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014.
• That it's important to listen to what oneself wants, and not let others get too much in the way with that. Also, that there is no need to tolerate things you don't want in your life, one of them being superficiality.
• 36: Sum up 2014 in one word.
• Enlightening.

That's it guys! I hope you didn't find it too philosophic or pensive, but I thought some seriousness was definitely needed here. I'd be very interested in what your answers are to these questions, so please feel free to share.

I wish you the best New Year's Eve, and an even greated 2015! Make it one of your best years. You can do that!

Love, Misch

Guess who's back?

Yes, I am back. Finally.

Although I've been home for a couple of weeks now, it's taken me quite so time to get back to this blog. Which is a shame, to be honest. Because it means that I had more important things on my mind than this here. Which, frankly, is true. Stuff at work to figure out, having to settle back into my normal life, friends and family to see and lots of other things to deal with. And I kind of had to get all of that out of my way before I could really start on here again. 

Then, there was the problem of where to start. I've actually sat in front of an empty post on here, thinking about how I could continue with it. But I couldn't think of any way, really.

I kind of want this to be a new start again. I know I already did a fresh start in July, but it hasn't been what I had wanted it to be. Sure, new things happened, but it didn't motivate me as much as I had wanted it to. 

Therefore, this is going to be the real Fresh start. With a capital F. 

Being away for two months has definitely put some things into perspective for me. Constantly seeing new things, making lots of experiences and for the first time really being out of the limited environment that is home. It's made me realize some things about myself, about how I want to live my life, and what is important to me.

This doesn't mean I've miraculously figured out my life and my future, even if I wish I had. I'm still very undecided on these parts. But I do feel like it's changed me, and I don't think that's a bad thing.

Maybe you'll get to see some of the new parts of me on here. Maybe you'll be able to tell, maybe you won't. We'll have to see that.

I've missed writing. As I'm typing this post, I'm really only beginning to notice how much. While I was travelling, I actually had some blog ideas, and I've also been encouraged by my friends to note those ideas and get back to them. 

I remember sitting in one lonely TV room of a campsite with my friends. It was somewhere near Tralee in Ireland, and we were sitting there in the badly heated and draughty room. There wasn't very much to do, everybody was minding their own stuff; being in a TV room, be it as cold as it was in there, was a nice change from having to sit in our car all the time. And we had WiFi! But I felt so much like writing, so I wrote some drafts on a note pad, manually written. Didn't feel much like blogging, but I think I'm going to use it on here. It makes for a great memory, and I can definitely recall how I felt back there.

This is going to be one of my motivations for writing more, and I hope you don't mind be rambling on about my thoughts. 

I'd love to get a lot more personal on here, about experiences I made, about what I saw on our road trip, and much more. I really hope for you guys to join me for that!

And, as to make my Fresh start on here easier, I'd like to ask you to tell me what you'd like to hear about. What stuff are you interested in? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Let's make this more personal together!

It's good to be back.

Cheers, Misch

New Start.

Hey everyone!

I can't even begin to say how very and deeply sorry I am for abandoning this blog for such a long time. It's seriously been five whole months now since I last typed something here, and before that I've been slacking for quite some time. And to be honest, I'm quite embarrassed! I didn't think it would come that far. Sure, every time I went online I looked at the little Blogger icon and thought: "maybe later". And that later was put off more and more - and now here we are, five months later.

Yesterday I was chatting with some friends, and one of them mentioned how I hadn't posted anything in quite some time, and that was the final push I needed to remember how much fun I always had at this! And it got me thinking why I abandoned my blog in the first place. The main reason was obviously school. The school year that just ended was my last one, and the time before finals was super stressful. I needed lots of time for studying, and I'm glad I took it, because I graduated as one of the best students from my year, something I'm rather proud of. So, school is my main excuse for not being able to blog. But then there were some other things. I spent hours and hours on Tumblr, a site that got me hooked and which kind of kept me from quality blogging on here. I spent more of my free time with my friends, and lately went on a couple of holidays, which also took some time away. All in all, I kept myself busy with lots of things but blogging.

But that doesn't mean that I didn't want to blog anymore! I never once thought about deleting my blog or making a final goodbye or anything. I always kept the chance to go back to it, and I'm very glad I did. Because now I feel very up to it. With school being over, I need something to occupy myself with, and besides work, which I'm currently looking for, blogging seems like a good choice. I'm actually very much looking forward to it!

So from today on, it's a little like starting over for me with my little blog here. I'm introducing a new layout, and maybe some new kinds of posts. Of course, the focus will remain on beauty-related stuff, but I don't mind branching out. Who knows, maybe I'll share more personal stories or find some other new topics. I'm also open for some suggestions!

I hope that some of you will find their way back here, and that I didn't lose all of you lovely readers during my rather long break. I'd be happy to hear from you!

To a new start and lots of diverse posts. Cheers.

xoxo, Misch