After four visits to Sri Lanka, I believe I have
gathered enough experience to write a short how-to-guide, hopefully
minimalizing your chances of getting swindled as it had happened to me on
several occasions.
So, here it goes:
Showing posts with label tips and tricks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tips and tricks. Show all posts
2/09/2015
Soul Fishing’s Tuk Tuk Tips and Tricks
12/31/2014
Teja's New Year Resolutions 2015
The New
Year's Eve is around the corner and with it the end of 2014. I have to say I
was quite pleased with this year – no major health problems, no scary
boyfriends, no clingy attention-seeking friends… yes, 2014 has been good to me.
I have
learned a lot this year, and if I compare it to 2009, I truly believe I have
grown spiritually, as corny as that sounds. I know more what I want, I have
more realistic expectations of myself and what is more important, I know my
limits. Seven years ago, this would have been impossible, I had absolutely no
idea who I was or what I wanted in life and it was a really scary phase. Not a
cool scary phase like Julia Roberts has in Eat Pray Love because you know that
the movie has a happy ending and everything just works itself out because she’s
Julia Roberts. This was the reality of my life with recession knocking on my
door, with absolutely no guarantee of a happy ending. In real life, you just
don’t know what’s coming next and that can be quite stressful.
That is why
I have come up with a to-do list that would help me improve the quality of my
life in 2015, so here it goes:
11/30/2013
Teja's Top Five
Loving right now:
1. Cillian Murphy in BBC's Peaky Blinders
I love the Peaky Blinders. After watching the first two episodes I was totally hooked!
The cast, with Cillian Murphy as Thomas Shelby, the leader of the Shelby clan is absolutely fantastic. The script is well written and the camera gives the viewers sheer visual pleasure with its clever angles. I can't wait for the season 2!
2. Sleeping...
...because it feels soooo gooood:)
3. Coffee...
...because otherwise I would be doing what the kitty is doing:)
4. The Great Gatsby
I hated the book when I was in high school, cramming for my finals but now,
ten years later, I love it.
5. Frida Kahlo
She was one of the greatest artists of the 20th century
and I admire her courage and perseverance not only as an artist, doing her own thing,
but also as a person, struggling with several health problems.
Love,
Tejaxoxox
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10/28/2013
Blogger Meeting. Sort of.
We met for a cup of coffee to celebrate our successful giveaway we had hosted together in September. It was really fun just to chat with her about everything, from life to blogging, to makeup, because among other things, Ema is makeup artist for MUD cosmetics and that profession has always fascinated me. I mean, what woman doesn't enjoy speaking the delicious language of makeup?
Thank you Ema for hosting this giveaway with me, we have to do this again, it was fun:)
Love,
Tejaxoxo
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10/24/2013
Yay! My First Blogger Feature:)
I cannot tell you how excited and happy I am about my blogger feature on http://www.moia.in!
The article is in Slovene as it is a Slovene webpage, so I apologize to my foreign readers for not providing a translation of the text (I totally will, once I have enough time:))
Thank you Maja for contacting me:))
Hope you like it,
Teja xoxo
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8/22/2013
To the Market, to the Market
One of the most interesting aspects of traveling, to me at least, are, the local food and the local food markets. They latter are like a beehive - forever buzzing with life; everybody is yelling over each other, you can't make out what they're saying, and even if you could, you wouldn't be able to understand it anyway, since everything is in the local language. Which makes it that much more exciting.
Yup. I am back in Colombo, Sri Lanka. And it feels good to be back. Food markets are always my favorite place to see. The colors of the exotic fruit are absolutely beautiful, some of which I've never even seen before in my life. And they are cheap and local.
When it comes to selling fruit and vegetables, Sri Lankans like to kick it old school, which means that the salespeople still use weights. Then, they write a list of all the items you've bought (in Sinhalese, of course, why bother with English?) on a wrinkled piece of paper and how much each item costs. Then, they add them all together (without a calculator, mind you). And then, you pay.
There are lots of stray animals in Sri Lanka because it's a third world country and the home of Buddhism, which means that animals are not allowed to be euthanized or castrated. That's why the animals are multiplying like bunnies; the most popular ones being dogs (infested with fleas, of course), ravens and cats. In Colombo, there is shit load of ravens. Seriously, it's not normal to have this many ravens! And they are really big and they are going to steal anything sparkly or shiny, so when I go to the swimming pool, I always wrap my cell phone in a towel, so it doesn't shine in the hot sun.
The fish market is also interesting. It was curious to see different kinds of species of fish and crabs that you wouldn't normally see in Europe. I was also relieved that it didn't smell at all. The meat market is an entirely different story, though. I did not go there because a reliable source told me that the ravens of Colombo are happily munching down the pieces of displayed meat at the butcher's which is something I definitely do not want to see!
I found this chair by a fruit stand and took a few photos of it. I think it's cool that no matter where I go, love follows me around. Love. And every person, no matter what color their skin or religion is, needs only love. Love.
Take care,
Tejaxoxo
PS Hey guys, please like my photo on the Vintage Vikend Summer Challenge and help me win. You simply click on this link, CLICK on my photo (I am wearing a red top and a polkadotted skirt) and LIKE it. That's all. Takes exactly a minute. Thank you:)
Take care,
Tejaxoxo
PS Hey guys, please like my photo on the Vintage Vikend Summer Challenge and help me win. You simply click on this link, CLICK on my photo (I am wearing a red top and a polkadotted skirt) and LIKE it. That's all. Takes exactly a minute. Thank you:)
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8/18/2013
EVERY HOME NEEDS...
Oly drum lighting / Metal clock / L'Objet serveware / Wood storage box, $140 / Alexandra Ferguson charcoal throw pillow / LSA International vase, $94 / Heart poster / BY SOPHIE white wall art / Royal Doulton dinnerware, $11
Love,
Tejaxoxo
PS Hey guys, please like my photo on the Vintage Vikend Summer Challenge and help me win. You simply click on this link, CLICK on my photo (I am wearing a red top and a polka dotted skirt) and LIKE it. That's all. Takes exactly a minute. Thank you:)
Love,
Tejaxoxo
PS Hey guys, please like my photo on the Vintage Vikend Summer Challenge and help me win. You simply click on this link, CLICK on my photo (I am wearing a red top and a polka dotted skirt) and LIKE it. That's all. Takes exactly a minute. Thank you:)
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8/17/2013
Home Sweet Home
New Growth Designs rose bouquet / Linea home decor / Jamie Young glass hurricane / Sugarboo Designs linen throw pillow / Vietri ceramic dinnerware / Imm Living small item storage / Hand woven basket / Bunny home decor / Bird wall art, $34 / Happy Jackson tea mug, $12 / White wall art
PS Hey guys, please like my photo on the Vintage Vikend Summer Challenge and help me win. You simply click on this link, CLICK on my photo (I am wearing a red top and a polkadotted skirt) and LIKE it. That's all. Takes exactly a minute. Thank you:)
I've always liked mixing rustic interiors with contemporary pieces.
These are some of my favorite bits of interior design. I adore pistaccio and
turquoise colors, as far as the interior design goes, these colors are smoking hot
and any interior design diva should have them in her little palace. I can't get
enough of them, I want my entire apartment to be in these colors! Here are some
howtos:
TIP 1: Turn only one wall into a focal point of the room and
cover it with wallpaper of your choice. Paint the rest of the walls in
white/magnolia/vanilla.
TIP 2: Place either really light or really dark decorative
pieces against the wallpaper, it's going to make the pieces really stand out.
TIP 3: Frame your artwork with really thick black frames.
TIP 4: Why not try screenprinted pillows with animal
designs?
TIP 5: Mix and match contemporary decorative pieces with nostalgic
ones you'd found in your grandpa's attic or cellar
I hope you found these tips useful,
Tejaxoxo
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7/29/2013
Tutorial: How to Clean Your Vintage Jewlery
I am vintage junkie and every time I to the flea market, I can't stop myself from buying at least one vintage jewelry piece. I really like the idea of having a unique piece to wear in this hyper-globalized world, where all of a sudden everybody has a neon mullet skirt stashed somewhere in their closet and ray-ban aviators in their accessories drawer, and of course they are wearing their hair in a top knot, like all the fashionistas from NY, USA to Stockholm, Sweden to Taipei, Taiwan.
Vintage jewelry is from the time before all this cookie cutter craze. I guess that's why I like it so much. I like holding a little piece of history in the palm of my hand:)
Vintage jewelry always gives a contemporary outfit an interesting twist. Because we do live in a hyper-globalized world where it's cheaper to buy a new necklace than mend the old one, I've decided to write a quick and easy tutorial on cleaning vintage jewelry which can also be applied on any kind of delicate jewelry.
Like in all my jewelry cleaning tutorials, I've used an environmentally friendly and bio-degradable ingredient that can be found in every kitchen. So, here it goes, you'll need:
Vintage jewelry is from the time before all this cookie cutter craze. I guess that's why I like it so much. I like holding a little piece of history in the palm of my hand:)
Vintage jewelry always gives a contemporary outfit an interesting twist. Because we do live in a hyper-globalized world where it's cheaper to buy a new necklace than mend the old one, I've decided to write a quick and easy tutorial on cleaning vintage jewelry which can also be applied on any kind of delicate jewelry.
Like in all my jewelry cleaning tutorials, I've used an environmentally friendly and bio-degradable ingredient that can be found in every kitchen. So, here it goes, you'll need:
- regular vinegar (not balsamic!) you'd use for salads
- a soup plate
- a brush with soft bristles (can be your old toothbrush)
7/14/2013
The Private World of Introverts
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Summer Book Reading List for Introverts:
Lots of love to all you introverts out there, |
7/11/2013
Soul Fishing's Top Five
1.Peaches for Breakfast:)
2. Inglot AMC Eye Shadow No 85
3. Hawaiian Tropic Lip Gloss in Island Berry
4. My new pocket mirror gifted to me by an eight-year old boy. He's got style:)
5. Happy Spoons, gifted by a friend from South Korea
Love,
Teja
7/09/2013
Your Summer Check List
Missoni , $800 / Object Collectors Item leather bag, $71 / Anthony Peto straw hat / Circular glasses / Garnier , $13 / Garnier , $14 / Bumble and Bumble / Hawaiian Tropic beauty product, $5.91 / Roxy Swept Away Beach Towel
- A kaftan or a tunic is the best thing there is for the beach. It's so light and easy to wear which is great for those really hot summer days, and all you need to wear underneath is your bikini and you're set. I fell for this Missoni number, which absolutely gorgeous. What can I say, I have an expensive taste:)
- Bumble and bumble surf spray gives your hair a light summery texture and no kidding, there's real sea salt inside
- After Sun Lotion, I never go to the seaside without it, it's great to apply before bedtime because in the morning, your skin is smooth and supple to the touch and it smells divine. You can also go for pure 100% Aloe with vitamin E, the Fruits of the Earth label has a really good one.
- Sun Lotion is an absolute must for the summer, not matter what your skin tone is. Make sure you check the back label if it's Skin Cancer Foundation approved. For those with sensitive fair skin, ask your dermatologist for advice. Mine recommended the following labels: Eucerin, La Roche-Posay, Bioderma, but the best that he personally is using is Daylong Extreme. When applying sun lotion, mind the tips of your ears and your feet, they always get left out.
- Hawaiian Tropic Lip Gloss in Island Berry - your lips also need protection in the summer and this is by far the best (and the tastiest) lip care. I cannot praise it enough. It's moisturizing and smells like the ripest, juiciest berries and it's Skin Cancer Foundation approved, which is always good.
- Panama hat - if you go to the beach, go in style.
- Circular sunglasses, with UV protection lenses.
- A beach towel with playful design.
- A beach bag, I'm crazy about those really baggy ones with stripes:)
Take care,
Teja
