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When you’re going to be in northern Europe in December, that you must be ready for the darkness. Day-after-day will get darker than the final, and by early December, you’ll end up questioning simply how bleak it could possibly get.
However that’s the place the Christmas lights are available. And the markets. And every little thing turns into a little bit extra bearable.
Locations Visited
- Prague and České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Heidelberg, Germany
- Strasbourg, Colmar, Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, and Kayserberg, France
- London and Coulsdon, England
Do You Wish to Transfer Overseas in 2025?
I do know a variety of you’ve got thought-about dwelling outdoors the US. Possibly it’s one thing you’d do “sometime” — and sometime hasn’t arrived but. Possibly your job, your children, or your pets saved you from pondering it was a risk for you.
This month, my pal Richelle is opening up the Transfer Overseas Escape Plan Boot Camp, a four-day occasion from January 25-28, the place Richelle helps you determine a particular plan to maneuver overseas.
In 4 days, she helps you determine what sort of life-style you need, the way you’ll make cash, which nation to concentrate on — and a DATE. And sure — even in case you have children. Even in case you have pets, a accomplice, a situation that requires medicine, a profession you like. There’s a plan that may give you the results you want personally.
Richelle is excellent at what she does, and she or he’s helped fairly a number of individuals transfer abroad already, as you possibly can see from her many testimonials.
This four-day boot camp solely prices $37 — which I feel is excellent worth for cash. You possibly can be taught extra about it right here.
Highlights
I wore the identical gown 30 days in a row! Severely. I’ve found the model Wool& and their marvelous wool attire, the softest issues you possibly can think about. And since wool is a material that doesn’t maintain onto physique odor, you possibly can put on it tons of instances with out washing it.
(That doesn’t imply I didn’t wash it in any respect! I washed it twice — on day 11 and day 24.)
Wool& does 30-day gown challenges — if you happen to put on the gown 30 days in a row and take a photograph every day, you’ll get $30 or 30 EUR. (In addition they have a 100-day problem with a $100 reward.) However I used to be extra in it for the enjoyable than the cash.
I selected the black Chloe gown, a fitted gown with brief sleeves and an above-knee hem, which might be the simplest, most simple gown you possibly can think about — it’s gentle sufficient to tuck into denims, or you possibly can throw a sweater or skirt on prime of it.
So sure — I loved my 30 days immensely! I loved the “uniform” side of carrying the identical gown daily, and I cherished dressing it up with equipment. And if you happen to don’t like carrying attire within the winter, having thick tights and good leggings makes such a giant distinction.
You’re going to see me carrying a LOT of Wool& in future posts. When you put on good wool, you gained’t need to put on anything. Keep tuned for extra.
Garments featured above:
- Picture 1: Gown, sweater (colour bought out), belt (related), tights, footwear
- Picture 2: Gown, thrifted Anthropologie skirt, belt (barely totally different colour), tights
- Picture 3: Gown, wrap gown worn as duster, belt (related), denims, belt (barely totally different colour), slippers
- Picture 4: Gown, blazer, belt (related), tights, footwear
A beautiful Christmas markets journey. After spending final December in South America, this yr I used to be anticipating Europe’s Christmas markets season. Charlie and I made a decision to do an extended weekend highway journey to a number of we hadn’t visited but.
We drove by way of Rothenburg to Heidelberg, the place we spent the evening; drove first to Strasbourg, then Colmar; and spent a day on the Navettes de Noël Christmas shuttle in Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, and Kayserberg, earlier than yet one more evening in Colmar and driving again to Prague.
Total, it was enjoyable! The 2 main highlights had been Heidelberg, which has such a terrific vibe, scrumptious meals, and busy however not overly packed markets; and Ribeauvillé, an extremely detailed medieval market in arguably essentially the most stunning city in France.
I’ve been writing a bit about this, however the Alsace area of France is so crowded throughout Christmas that I wouldn’t advise visiting throughout the weekend AT ALL (aside from Ribeauvillé, whose market solely takes place on two December weekends). Mainly, all of France’s Christmas vacationers get dumped into one tiny area and it’s tremendous, tremendous busy.
However we had a lot enjoyable, ate a variety of good meals, and loved Christmas cheer in some stunning locations.
We additionally did a day journey to České Budějovice in South Bohemia, two hours from Prague by practice. I’m not large on Prague’s Christmas markets, that are tremendous commercialized, however České Budějovice has a very fantastic market with distributors who’re really native, an ice skating rink, a ferris wheel, and a beer hut.
And České Budějovice is my ultimate new Czech vacation spot of the yr! I really visited not less than one new vacation spot every month of 2024!
Christmas enjoyable in Prague. We had a enjoyable Christmasy day trip going to a curler derby — my first ever — that was Santa vs. Grinch! Tremendous enjoyable! We topped it off with the Krampus parade in Prague.
Additionally, this yr, we received a Christmas tree — which is a giant deal, as a result of I’ve by no means had a Christmas tree in my grownup life. It all the time appeared like there wasn’t some extent when now we have to journey for each Christmas. And truthfully, I form of felt like I didn’t deserve one — till this yr. It was time.
We purchased our first stockings and decor, our pal generously gave us some ornaments and lights, and it was so good not solely having decorations, however giving the kitties a particular Christmas. Lewis was SO excited to get the toys out of his stocking!
Christmas in England. This yr, Charlie and I celebrated along with his household in London. It was nice spending time with all of them, having fun with the over-the-top Christmas decor at my sisters-in-law’s home, and consuming the implausible meal Charlie cooked.
New Yr’s at our place. We had pals over for New Yr’s Eve, we drank the wines we had purchased on our journeys over the course of the yr, Charlie made beef Wellington, and naturally our pal Klara introduced her tiramisu.
Challenges
We had a tricky time illness-wise with our Murray Bear this month. Murray peed in a number of locations the place he shouldn’t have — and as soon as we realized it was a sample, we took him to the vet.
That began a waterfall of occasions — Murray peeing on the mattress, a number of visits to the native laundromat as a result of it’s the one washer that may match our quilt, Murray and his brother Lewis abruptly not consuming (that could be on account of a number of days of New Yr’s fireworks scaring them), Lewis recovering and Murray refusing to eat something however Churu, Murray getting constipated, Murray and his brother violently attacking one another all afternoon lengthy after a vet go to.
After some meds and some modifications at dwelling, Murray is doing SO a lot better. He hasn’t peed wherever he shouldn’t for weeks now. (I simply knocked my wood ground.) And he’s been further cuddly, snuggling as much as me once I go to mattress most nights.
Weblog Posts of the Month
Most In style Reel on Instagram
My reel in regards to the Ribeauvillé Christmas market in France went loopy! And deservedly so. This really is a particular market not like some other I’ve ever visited.
You possibly can watch the reel right here and observe me on Instagram at @adventurouskate.
What I Listened To This Month
This month, my pals, I started a VERY large problem. I’m listening to all 500 of Rolling Stone‘s 500 Best Albums of All Time. Why do that? I need to broaden my musical horizons, and eventually take heed to so many musicians I’ve by no means listened to earlier than.
This looks like a well-structured method to take heed to new music, and use it as a place to begin for deeper musical exploration. (It’s additionally price noting that the checklist has been redone a number of instances because the first checklist in 2003, which was heavy on white dude rock of the 70s. At the moment’s checklist is way more numerous.)
I began this challenge on December 17, and I ended up listening to albums 500-480 in December.
Favourite discovery: Weird Journey II the Pharcyde by The Pharcyde. WHAT AN ALBUM. The Pharcyde is artistic, bouncy, super-danceable early 90s hip-hop with a lot humor. (All of them began as dancers earlier than they grew to become rappers.) That is among the most joyful hip-hop I’ve ever heard.
Different favourite new discoveries: Ask Rufus by Rufus, If You’re Feeling Sinister by Belle and Sebastian.
Favourite revisited album: II by Boyz II Males. This was the second album I ever purchased myself, once I was 10 years outdated. It’s nonetheless implausible. Although I’ve to say “Khalil” hit me quite a bit tougher as a 40-year-old with a information of police brutality than it did 30 years in the past.
Favourite songs: “Soul Flower” by The Pharcyde, “Daydreaming” by Harry Types, “Like Dylan within the Films” by Belle and Sebastian, “TV Get together” by Black Flag, “Getaway Driver” by Miranda Lambert.
Get the playlist: I’m making a playlist of my favourite songs from the five hundred albums — most one per album — on Spotify. You possibly can take heed to it right here.
What I Watched This Month
Unhealthy Sisters Season 2. I completely cherished Season Considered one of Unhealthy Sisters, a darkish dramedy set in Eire the place 4 sisters conspire to homicide their sister’s abusive husband. I feel it’s top-of-the-line applications Apple TV + has produced.
Season 2? Whereas I cherished the surroundings and the cinematography and the costumes and the nice and cozy, lived-in relationships the sisters have…this season wasn’t the identical. It was darker, felt hopeless, and the humor didn’t actually seem till the ultimate episode.
That mentioned, I appreciated what Sharon Horgan did — she wished to indicate that life doesn’t abruptly flip to rainbows as soon as an abusive accomplice is out of the image.
Except for that, Carry-On was mainly the film Cellphone Sales space up to date for the 2020s, and Gladiator II was a film that actually didn’t have to be made. I did persuade Charlie to return see Depraved with me, although, which appears like an enormous triumph! He loved it.
Coming Up in January 2025
January goes to be a quiet month, one thing I’ve grown to worth and cherish. Charlie and I are persevering with our custom of a January with no alcohol, no sugar, no journey, and kicking up the train a notch or two. It units a superb instance for the yr to observe.
I’ve traveled throughout some Januaries (most not too long ago, spending January 2022 in Puerto Vallarta), however I discover that in January I’m so motivated to work arduous. I’m higher off utilizing that work-work-work power when I’ve it. Plus, January is a fairly large month for the journey trade with individuals realizing they really want to plan some journeys!
Charlie and I even have a practice of a lodge keep someplace in Prague, profiting from the bottom lodge charges of the yr — however that’s as a lot as now we have on the calendar.
What are you trying ahead to in 2025?
