An Ode To Tea

Hello!

Now that fall is very much officially here (my very warm sweater confirms it!) it's time to bring out the big, sweet guns: tea. I am addicted, I admit, I may have a big big problem. Tea is one of the best things to ever happen to me, but I've only really started to enjoying it maybe one year ago, which is crazy! 

These have been some of the ones I've been enjoying the most this past month (and yes, those are a lot to have at the same time, I'm aware)!

• Verbena Infusion by Tetley
• Honey Lemon Green Tea by Tetley
• Mango Green Tea by Tetley (Delicate Colection)
• Herbal Infusion of Melissa and Honey, by Lipton

I have to admit, the last 2 are the ones I've been drinking the most of, and the mango one is absolutely lovely, and leaves a very fruity scent in the air, and it kind of reminds me of summer, even though tea and summer aren't thaaaat compatible, oops! I've also noticed that I've been buying more tea from Tetley then ever, since I usually go for the Lipton ones. What are some of your favourite teas? Do you prefer coffee or hot chocolate over tea as a fall/winter beverage?

● Inês ●

Relaxing/Calm Songs

Hello!

Inspired by Aida, I decided to also make a list of my go-to songs when I need to relax or at least calm down a bit. When things start to get a bit too much. I enjoy listening to either really soppy songs, or sad ones I can relate, but they're all very very soothing. I like to listen to these ones after making my homework, or before going to bed. I find all of them so so beautiful, and I really advise you to go check any of these that caught your eye really quickly cause I'm sure it'll be worth it!

From left to right:

• Ben Howard / I Forget Where We Were
• Willie Nelson / Someone To Watch Over Me
• Edith Piaf / La Vie En Rose
• Daughter / Youth
• Karen O & Ezra Koenig / The Moon Song
• Alessia Cara / Here
• The Neighbourhood / Sweater Weather
• Mac Demarco / Only You
• Low / What Part Of Me

I really need more calm songs to add to my lists, so if you have some, please do share!

● Inês ●

3 Random Inspiring Things

Hello!

Today I decided to share just a couple of things that make me feel warm and happy inside, and that cheer me up and make me move again when I'm going through some sort of slump. Do you have anything like this? A song, a place, a famous person, or even just a person from your family?

1.

Italy, in particular Firenze, will always have a very special place in my heart. I simply cannot begging to describe how breathtaking everything there is, how beautiful the colours are, how I rejoyce hearing real italian people speaking italian (and yes! I most definitely aspire to be at least a little fluent in it!). One of my aspirations is to study there for some months, to live la dolce vita for a while.

2.

Start taking up space. Force people to walk around you rather than stepping to the side. Make the other person look away first. Stop laughing at jokes that aren’t funny. Make “No,” into your favorite word. When you say the word “no,” do not explain yourself. When you disagree with a person, do not argue with them. Take action so that your opinions become law, rather than theirs. Reject orders that you do not like. This results in consequences. Consequences make you self-reliant. Self-reliance breeds power. Staying in line makes you dependent on an authority figure and that authority figure got there through defiance. People don’t follow followers. - (x)

As you scroll through the internet, it's obvious that you'll find some *~inspiring quotes~*, you know, as you do, and I found this one the other day and it actually wasn't that cheesy like the ones your aunts post on facebook (or those sick, bitter, inderects. ah! take that, Sharon! that's what you get for not complimenting my stews!) . Honestly, it made think for a while. Start taking up space. That's something I never really did, and felt guilty for being the center of attentions, for raising my hand in class, for wearing colourful things, for sticking out even if just one bit. Start taking up space. I will, I'm learning to do that more and more, stepping out of my comfort zone, in small baby steps.



                                                                                     

3.

Beyoncé, Lily Singh, Gina Rodriguez, Diane Ferrero, Amandla Stenberg, Malala Yousafzai, Halsey, Lindsay Morgan, Nicky Minaj, Kimiko Glenn, Lupita Nyong'o, Janelle Monaé & Tina Desai. (x)

Ladies don't get enough recognition. Be it in a classroom environment, in the workplace, in the media, in science fields, in the military, sports, or just in any other male dominated space (which is basically... every.. single... space). You know who receives even less recognition? Women of colour. There so many incredibly talented and inspiring ladies out there, sharing their stories through music, giving speeches, acting, and it bafles me how people still find ways to invalidate their struggles or brush their talent off, just because of how they look, how they dress, of their accent. Say anything and it's probably an argument used against them. Well, I got a loooot of love for my fellow WoC, and here are some of my personal faves. Who runs the world?


● Inês ●