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Life

Rock the Case

16th March 2017

Tech-savvy morning routine.

I lead a very busy lifestyle and technology helps me to get through the day. As a freelance Content Developer, most of my day-to-day tasks happen on my smartphone: I answer emails, tweet, read the news, edit pictures and double tap on my favourite Instagram posts. *cheeky face* I’m so super glued to my iPhone that I even dream about it. Don’t believe me? Then take a look at my morning routine, endorsed by many of my close friends:

Press snooze on my 7am alarm and debate whether I should go to the gym now… or after work… or ever.
Wake up after the third snooze of my 7am alarm. The first thing to be grateful for: chilled wake-up sounds added in the latest iOS update!
Be confused for at least 30 seconds about what is going on in my life.
Spend at least 15 minutes getting lost in the ‘rabbit hole’ that is my Instagram feed.
Toss on whatever clothing piece is on the floor near my bed and walk to the kitchen.
Have my daily freshly-squeezed lemon juice.
Prepare a simple breakfast such as porridge or a toast.
Add everything onto MyFitness Pal. Squander 5 minutes doing that.
Shimmy my way over to the bathroom, hoping that no one else is in there… Then quietly play “The Great British Breakfast” playlist in the shower.
Go back to my bedroom to dress and leave… BUT instead, inevitably end up watching random videos on YouTube: starting with the latest Apple rumours then moving onto the best untucked moments on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Wasting no less than 15 minutes doing that.
Realise that I have to leave in 5 minutes and there’s not enough time left to order Starbucks or take a selfie.
Quickly pick my favourite iPhone case and storm out of the flat.

This is pretty much me every morning. Sounds pretty ridiculous, right? I’m sure you do exactly the same!

Finding the right iPhone case.

iPhones are great devices that keep us connected and make us more productive. However, these devices are also prone to all kinds of damage, from surface scratches to complete destruction.

From the minute I receive my brand new smart phone, I am very conscious about getting a quality case for it. I spend hours online browsing through thousands of styles and quite often I end up being without one. *sad face* It’s not easy to find an accessory for my phone that fits my personality and is also very durable.

Luckily, I discovered caseable. Their mission is to celebrate individuality. They combine design and protection, functionality and art, to produce custom smartphone hard cases for almost every device possible. As much as I would like to create my own case, I am not so creative as to design one myself (very self-critical here, for now). Instead, I browse through hundreds of artist designs available at caseable. Their design catalogue is very diverse. Therefore, I always find something that perfectly adds up to my quirky personality. This time, I chose “Kiss” by Mark Ashkenazi, because it features a cartoon of two men kissing (obviously), whilst the colour theme matches my current styling mood. I’m all about bright reds, navy blues and crispy clear whites – just like the cardigan I’m wearing right now!

Make sure you check caseable out and use code ‘MRSALT2017‘ to get 20% off your order. Valid until the end of April.

#RockTheCase

SHOP: Smartphone Hard Case from caseable | Red Cardigan from Zara

Thanks to caseable for sponsoring this post.

Life

Coffee Confessions

3rd February 2017

Some of you might already know this, but for those who don’t I have a confession to make… takes a deep breath and sips on an extra-shot latte with soya I’m a coffee addict.

I don’t know about you but coffee shop is where I’m the most productive and inspired. From Notes to Associations, coffee helps me (in Kylie Jenner’s voice) to realise things and really put things in the right order.

At one point, I was so obsessed about coffee that I have made a 10-minute documentary called “Coffee Jugglers (2013)”. You can watch it below. Let me know what you think in the comments section below.

Coffee aside, I’ve now entered my late-20s era and when I look back there are a few things that I would tell to my early-20s self.

Here are 26 things that I’ve learned in my early-20s that I wish I knew earlier:

Gratitude is the key to happiness.
Live in the moment.
Surround yourself with people who inspire you.
Don’t compare yourself to others.
Everyone is just as confused as you are.
The people who you think have their shit together are usually the most messed up.
You don’t have to have your life sorted by 26.
Be kind to other people.
The high number of selfies you take does not make you vain or insecure, you’re simply a perfectionist.
Accept criticism but don’t let it devalue your hard work.
If you are feeling down, don’t keep this to yourself, talk to someone. Chances are that they have felt the same way.
“Liking” or “commenting” on Instagram will never replace a compliment delivered in person.
Not everything needs to be shared on social media, and that includes Snapchat.
Go offline for at least 2 hours every day.
FOMO fades away after a while and you will realise that there’s nothing to miss out on.
The best friendships start when you are brave enough to say “Hello. How are you? What’s your name? Where are you from? And what is your National Insurance Number?”.
It’s best to leave some things to the imagination.
Happy couples aren’t always happy.
You will never find love when you’re desperately looking for it. Love comes when you least expect it.
The guys you party with don’t necessarily have the best interest in you.
You might make new friends over time but the best ones are those who have been there for you this whole time.
Sundays are way more fun when you’re not hangover or tired.
There’s more to you than your sexuality.
If you can’t find any role models – try to become one.
Make a plan of where you want to be in 10 years time.
It’s never too late to start something.

VISIT: Craft Coffee Roasters in Dublin, Ireland.

Life

16 Things I’ve Learned in 2016

31st December 2016

Another year has gone by and 2017 is looking rather amazing!

2016 has been the most life-changing year to date: I’ve travelled the world, embraced new experiences and moved to a new place for the first time in 4 years. My life is starting to look a lot like what I was dreaming about, 7 years ago.

In the great tradition of New Year’s resolutions, I’ve decided to share 16 things that I’ve learned in 2016 and would recommend doing in 2017. So, let’s get started…

Accept the things you cannot change… AND always try to do your best.
Stand up for what you believe in and never let anyone feed you with negative thoughts or doubt.
Spend your hard-earned money on experiences. Travel the world, go to gigs, party hard and learn something new. Material things can get lost or destroyed, but your memories will last for decades if not a lifetime.
Wake up early each morning and do something you really enjoy. Go to the gym, visit your favourite coffee shop, read a funny story on Buzzfeed… Just do something that will start your busy day on a positive note.
Stop trying hard to please people and do what’s best for you.
Drink loads of water every day. I personally like to infuse water with fresh cucumber and lemon because it’s the ultimate detox drink. Cucumbers and lemon juice flush your system and help you feel better. It’s also good for weight loss, so it’s a win-win situation.
Treat yourself to a really nice meal each month. Gather your mates and check out the latest foodie trends in your city. Explore, try something new and order that extra side to go with your meal.
Taste everything at least once! You may not like lamb testicles but there’s nothing worse than having regrets in life.
Try on a stylish new accessory this year. Whether it’s a shiny new bangle or a dapper-looking snap back, accessories are the easiest way to experiment with your style and get out of your comfort zone.
Make sure you have the following 5 wardrobe essentials: white trainers, plain white t-shirt, skinny denim jeans, slim-fit chinos (in khaki) and brown classic shoes.
Learn how to sew… or at least learn how to patch things up!
Cleanse your facial skin at least once a week. I’d recommend using clay masks or mud masks to make your skin extra smooth and fresh. Also, invest some money in a good facial scrub to exfoliate your skin daily.
Invest in a new beauty product every 3-4 months. Recently, I’ve discovered a Vitamin C serum and it’s doing wonders to my face. I use it daily and my face looks (and feels) much firmer and younger.
The secret to a photo-ready face is a mattifying powder. #SelfieGameStrong
Get lost in a foreign place… and no cheating! *Leaves the phone at home* Words cannot explain how exciting it is to meet new people and be present in the moment.
Spend one weekend a year on your own. Go abroad, rent a car or visit a place you’ve never been before. Disconnect and give yourself some “me time” for 72 hours. This can really help you to reevaluate your current situation in life and play a key role in your further success. I always get really inspired when I’m on my own, walking for hours and thinking about the future.

Have a great New Year’s eve celebration and I see you all in 2017!

VISIT: The Hoxton Hotel in Holborn for some quality food and coffee. The lounge area is perfect for working-from-home.

Life

Rock the Case

Tech-savvy morning routine.

Finding the right iPhone case.

Coffee Confessions

Some of you might already know this, but for those who don’t I have a confession to make… *takes a deep breath and sips on an extra-shot latte with soya* I’m a coffee addict.

Coffee aside, I’ve now entered my late-20s era and when I look back there are a few things that I would tell to my early-20s self.

16 Things I’ve Learned in 2016

Another year has gone by and 2017 is looking rather amazing!

Have a great New Year’s eve celebration and I see you all in 2017!

skirmy

Some of you might already know this, but for those who don’t I have a confession to make… takes a deep breath and sips on an extra-shot latte with soya I’m a coffee addict.