Winter in Germany

 

I'll be frank. I was slightly underwhelmed by Germany, Berlin in particular.

I had such high hopes and have been wanting to visit Berlin for years. I think I set myself up to fail with my expectations to be honest. Always figured it was such a historical city with a modern arty vibe and edgy fashion scene. It probably is but I don't think I experienced it that way. I think the fact we didn't enjoy Germany as much as could've was probably because of the timing. I think quite a few people do visit the land of bratwurst during winter but most probably during the Christmas period. We arrived at the in-between time where its after Christmas (so all the christmas markets and cute festive vibe was over) but before it was warm enough for people to actually venture outside and enjoy the outdoors (severe lack of beer gardens). Millie visited in the summer and she said it was a completely different scene, a lot more bustling city-esque and not empty and full of construction as it was during our stay. 

Munich wasn't too bad! We did a few walking tours that definitely tried your willpower to stand outside in the frosty wind and listen to the same ol' chat about this one artist having this bright idea for a building. Actually, our Munich city tour guide was a fun time. It was informative and enjoyable and he let us in on loads of little facts and hidden historical/"fun fact" spots around the city. We visited this church especially that was breathtaking. It didn't look like much on the outside but the moment you stepped in, you were surrounded by incredibly high ceilings, massive marble columns, impressing paintings lining the walls and the most insanely detailed carvings and sculptures. It was gorgeous. Didn't manage to snag a proper picture because am not actually sure what the rules are with flash photography in consecrated churches but hey ho. Definitely one for the mems. I wanted to visit the famous Disney-inspired castle outside of Munich but couldn't rally the troops nor did I want to venture 2 hours away on my own when I couldn't speak a single word of German. We did the third-reich tour as well which I totally recommend, I forget what a massive part Munich played in Hitler's regime. It was where it all began and we visited little landmarks where Hitler's name and propaganda started taking stand. We went to a few beer halls on a pub crawl type thing as well which was loads of fun. 

Winter Holy Grail

Winter is almost over and I am sO excited to say goodbye to the long nights and constantly wearing a minimum of 3 layers. Can't wait for spring, definitely plan to spend way more time outdoors in the sun, instead of huddled in our house hiding from the cold.  Living near the coast of Scotland these past few years has given me some handy tips to prep for the cooler temperatures. Seasonal depression that comes hand in hand with the colder months is tough but these few bits make it a little bit easier to pull through.

Starting with the sort of skincare bits, I feel like it's a bit of a given, but you cannot leave home without lip balm. My favourite is Palmer's cocoa butter lip balm, since I've found this gem a few years ago, I haven't tried anything else. I know, I'm suuuuch an adventurous gal. It's the only lip balm i've found that actually moisturises and actively repairs my chapped lips. The past balms usually form a nice layer of protection on my lips which helps against the wind and cold but it doesn't actually get absorbed in the skin and hydrate it. On the topic of moisturising, Cetaphil moisturiser was a godsend for me last winter. Recommended by my flatmate it helped my skin so much in such a quick time. I was previously using a simple moisturises which worked well before but suddenly did nothing for me last winter, I truly believe there's some sorta science behind that like your body getting used to a certain formula and then it not having an effect after a while?? Anyways, I have dry skin and was complaining about dry patches and my flatmate lent me some of her moisturiser to use and I noticed such a big difference in the morning. My skin didn't feel so tight anymore and the patches had definitely ameliorated so I immediately purchased a large bottle (which has lasted me a year now might I add - though I do switch back to Simple in the summer for a lighter moisturiser).

Monthly Round-Up : January

I started of 2019 with my flatmate Millie in Leeds.

[Sidenote: I've just noticed I always refer to my flatmates as just that instead of pals/friends etc. which makes it seem a bit distant maybe but I feel like it's understood. I wouldn't still be living with this bunch in my third year at uni if they weren't my best pals.]

Anyways, we were in Leeds for NYE (or "the bells" as the scots would say) and brought in the new year at a house party which was great fun. To be frank, the main bits of the night that I remember was  Millie eating pate on Pringles and raving about it as if she'd discovered a revolutionary delicacy and the mini WWE fight that took place on the air beds in the living room because the boys decided that would be a lovely way to end the night. It was most definitely entertaining but also heart breaking when an All Saints t-shirt got ripped in half, there was a moment of silence for the poor t-shirt RIP.

Explored London with Robyn (Flatmate #2) and the boyfriend (+ his pal) a little more. Got yummy mini pancakes at the christmas markets, spent waaaay too much at winter wonderland and had a brilliant time at Swingers. A mini golf/bar that was such a good way to end the night. Round of applause for me for coming in at second place and ensuring the money my dad spent on 2 years of golf lessons did not completely go down the drain. Then, I took the gruelling 6 hour train back to Scotland without earphones. Honestly wouldn't wish that on anyone, i had packed my book in my suitcase as well which took too much effort to close and it didn't seem worth opening again. You'll be glad to know that I did indeed survive a 6 hour train with no music or entertainment of any kind, it was a tough journey but someone had to do it I guess. I took one for the team.