Current Life Soundtrack

As you might have found out by time, I am a massive lover of music! I listen to music wherever, whenever, and use it to recharge both body and mind. If you scrolled down my personal Spotify account, you would see that I have tons of playlists, all named after places the songs remind me off. One playlist though has another name, and that is the playlist I would like to share with you today.

Over the last couple of months, I have been binge listening to this very playlist, as I have found out that it, somehow, seems to fit every situation in my life. Whether it is walking the dog in the morning, sitting by the window on a rainy day, cooking, walking around the city, or staring out the window on a public transport journey, this playlist is it for me, and that is why I have chosen to call it my Current Life Playlist.

Enjoy!

Emma xx

Vegan Cranberry Scones

Berlin Travel Guide

Last summer I got the amazing experience of visiting wonderful Berlin. A city full of history, cool people and amazing places. The Berlin people are known for being openminded, welcoming and always up for something fun! Without further ado here’s a travel guide to my favourite parts and places in Berlin!

Where to stay

When choosing a place to stay, the only thing to make sure of is actually to be close the city. Of course, Berlin has a Metro that connects the whole city and you can get to all the biggest sights with only a few stop, but the metro can be quite expensive if travelling on a low budget. As all the biggest sights are in walking distance, finding a cheap hotel close to the city is definitely what to look for.

• Ramada Plaza Berlin – This hotel is a cheap hotel has a central placering - but then again, not too central. You live central enough to being able to walk to some of the biggest sight, while you live among ordinary Berliner apartment buildings. A great combination and a hotel that is definitely worth the money!

• Ibis hotel Kurfuerstendamm – Now long from the previous mentioned hotel is the Ibis hotel Kurfurstendamm. It is a cheap hotel that does its thing for being green in everything they do. The staff is friendly and the hotel is close to both restaurants and transport links.

• AirBnB – I can not go without mentioning this phenomena that has become huge the last couple of years! By renting someone's apartment you'll get an exclusive view into the ordinary Berliner's life and they will - if your even show you around - most definitely help you around the city! Without a doubt a great opportunity if you want to feel at home in the city!

Sightseeing

Just like any other major city around the world, there's tons of places to go all touristy. So if you have just a little tourist hidden inside, here's a small list of mine on cool sightseeing spots!

• Brandenburg Tor – Brandenburger Tor is a massive and beautiful gate standing in the middle of Berlin that holds over two hundred years of history. This is probably one of the most famous places in Berlin - in whole German really - and one of the places most people come to see. It is such a major landmark actually that the windows in the local metro is covered with small Brandenburger Tor silhouettes - fun fact. 

• The Memorial of the Berlin Wall – During World War II a 3,6 m tall and 155 km long wall divided Berlin into two: East Berlin and West Berlin. Most of the barrier was torn down in 1989, but some of it still stands the day today. Walking around the city, somewhere you'll see a long line paving stone going across the road and parks, showing where the Wall once was while you'll see bits standing around the city as well. In the area of Berlin called Mitte you'll find a big memorial park that is definitely worth a visit if you're interested in the story of the wall!

• The Holocaust Memorial – Another beautiful and touching memorial in Berlin is the The Holocaust Memorial - A memorial to the murdered jews in Europe. It consists of 2711 rectangular block of concrete laid out in a grid formation. This, the German parlament says, is to symbolise the loneliness, powerlessness and despair the jews experienced during World War II. 

• The Museum Island – Right in the middle of the city you'll find a "small" island called The Museum Island and here you'll find a bunch of the biggest museums (that does not tell about World War II) in Berlin. Definitely worth a visit if you're into art, sculptures and like. Hereof the Pergamon Museum and the Bode Museum are the most popular. On the island you'll also find the beautiful Berlin Cathedral.

Entertainment

Berlin is city that never sleeps, and there is always things to do! Here is my favourite things to do in Berlin:

• Flea Market at Mauer Park – Every Sunday tons of people make their way to Mauer park to visit the Flea Market, and I must say I understand them. The Sunday I visited the market, great atmosphere was everywhere. Dancers and singers performed around the parks and the shops sell everything from the smallest bags I've ever seen to the most cool polaroid cameras! And do not worry, if you do not find any standing remains of the Berlin Wall around the city, you will be able to find lots in Mauer Park! 

• Alternative Berlin Tour – One of my absolute favourite things to do is going on the Alternative Berlin Tour. When on this tour you see and hear places in Berlin that you might wouldn't have thought of seeing yourself. Depending on the guide, you come around different areas of Berlin known for street art and alternative living. Oh, and hey! The tour is free of charge! 

• Ka De We – If you feel like shopping in the largest department store on the European continent, Ka De We is where you need to go. With more than 60,000 square meter of selling space you can spend hours in there before you make it to the top! I do, however, recommend visit Ka De We, even if you are not into shopping and go straight to the upper floor. Here you will have an amazing view over the city of Berlin while you can go and look at the most beautiful and odd cakes and other foods. 

Foods

Much like brunch there are quite literally hundreds of options for dinner. You’ll be teased with all manner of restaurants and cuisines. There’s quite literally something for everyone, if you can book at the place of your choice then make sure you do because New York restaurants at the weekend are crazy busy. Here’s a selection of places you should try whilst you’re in the city: 

• Denn's Biomarkt – This is any fan of ecology's dream. In this supermarked you can buy the most delicious, wholesome good food. Definitely worth a visit, both if you want to buy something ecological or just look how such a shop would look like - and smell!

• Fast Rabbit – If you decide to go to Mauer Park you really have to make your way to Fast Rabbit that lays just across the street. They have almost everything you could possible dream of when it comes to vegan fastfood and the atmosphere in the little shops tells just that - Happy both vegans and non-vegans is filling up the place. 

• The Juicery – Just next the Fast Rabbit lays a even smaller shop, and this shop is a juicery. In here you can find the most delicious organic juices and smoothies, and the m ost friendly staff! Definitely also worth a visit!

What are your favourite things to do in Berlin? Let me know in the comments!

Emma xx

My Resolutions

Today's January 1st 2016. A day where thausands and thausands of people talk about 

having and fulfilling new years resolutions. The famous phrase "New year, new me" is all 

over the place and people have resolutions about everything from the smallest changes to

major changes. 

I've never been a fan of new year resolutions as I've always only seen it as a excuse for 

thinking about doing something you should do everyday only once a year; changing yourself 

to the better. I do like, however, having some sort of focus of attention during the year, and 

this year I'll focus on...

doing something crazy at least once a day 

Unfortunately I've experienced a couple of incredible souls ascending into heaven way to 

early this year alongside with hundreds of innocent people losing their life in terrorist acts 

all over the world. This has been a true eye-opener to me and I've realised how fragile life 

truly is. We can not be sure of having our life tomorrow, so we have to live our lives at

  fullest and make every second count. To make sure I get the most out of my life, I'll do 

something crazy at least once a day. I'll take a step out of my comfort zone and broaden my 

horizon as much as possible during 2016! I want to be feeling alive now that I've got chance! 

being more honest, both to myself and others 

To me, the world is becoming more and more unreliable as a result of the major pressure 

coming from everywhere about how it's best to be. Honesty has always been very important 

to me, and I'll always take an honest opinion over a lie, no matter if it's for the good or the

  bad. Only by honest opinions it's possible to improve things for the better, and that's why 

I'll do my best to be more honest this year. Both to myself and to others. 

loving more

First off, I'll concentrate on learning to love myself just as I am, and not because others 

might love me. Secondly, I'll focus on showing the love I have for those amazing people I have 

around me everyday. Two things I've found out is a urgent for my happiness. In the blink of 

an eye everything can change, so make sure to love with all your heart. You never know 

when you might not have the chance.

being the best version of myself

As my focus on loving myself as I am will grow, I'll hopefully be able to explore myself more

 than ever. "She woke up every morning with the option of being anyone she wished, how 

beautiful it was that she always chose herself", one of my favourite quotes goes and a

quote I'll turn into life in 2016. I'll chose to be myself and be true to myself no matter what 

other people will think of me. I'll  be the best me I can possibly be.

What are your resolutions? 

I wish you all a happy new year! 

Emma xx

Liverpool through my lens

Vegan Blueberry Muffins

What I'm Wearing IX

Vegan Banana Bread

Photography FAQ

Recently, I've got a lot of questions about my photographing, and many of the questions are one way 
or another basically the same. To give you all the best and most fulfilling answers, I've decided to
 make this Photography FAQ!

For how long have you been taking photographs?

I've been taking photographs for as long as I remember, really. I remember running around like a little 
kid with my mum and dads film camera, taking pictures of everything that did and didn't move. I've 
always seen photographing like great fun, and a fun of exploring my own creative abilities. 

Why does photographing mean so much to you?

I guess why photographing truly means a lot to me is because I like the way I'm able to catch a 
moment and save it forever. I like being able to look back on pictures and see moments I might had
 forgotten. I like how pictures taken a few seconds apart can be so very different. Also, I like
 how photographs can reflect a feeling or a message. 

What camera do you use?

For my digital work before January 2015 I used a Nikon D3100, whereafter I upgraded to its sister,
 the Nikon D3200. Beside that, I like playing around with my mum and dads old Olympus AF-1 as I, 
with this non-digital camera, has to get the shot just right every time as the developing of the
 film is rather expensive. 

What lens do you use?

For all the pictures seen on my blog and Instagram, I've used the standard 18-55mm lens for
my camera. I've for the longest time wanted to treat myself by buying myself a new lens
 and I know my parents actually has a major one hidden somewhere in our basement, but I 
feel so very comfortable with the standard lens as I know what I can and can't do with it, that I 
can't get myself to make the switch. 

How you you edit you pictures?

How I edit my pictures depends on what for and where I'm using my pictures.

For my blogposts I use the Mac editing program CameraBag 2. A program I've have grown very fond
 of, and I don't know what I should do without. When it comes to what filter I use, it's one I've made 
myself. I started out using the program's standard filters (which are also pretty great!), but by time I 
found out how I liked my pictures the best, and made my own filter. And yes, the filter is called 
"CAKE"

For my Instagram pictures I use a phone editing app you must know if you're just a little into 
photography, the VSCO app. When I've uploaded my picture to the app, I use the C1 or T1 filter, play a
 little with the exposure and contrats, and when I'm satisfied, I save the edited picture on my phone 
for whenever the picture suits what I want to share on Instagram. 

What's your favourite motive?

I have two favourite motives; buildings and people. Two things I've always been very fascinated by. 

Buildings are such massive things that are all around us and that the fewest of us properly acknowledge.
 For many people, they're just there, but for me, they're there for a reason. Of course, some building
 are plain and boring, but if we look up as we walk around instead of looking down, we actually have 
a lot of beauty served on a silverplate. 

When it comes to photographing people, it's not a thing I've tons of experience with. But the few 
times I've got to work with people in my photographs have been amazing experiences. I 
like how people bring life into a photograph and how the simplest change in the facial expression
 can change the whole thing. 

How do you think your photographing will develop in the future?

I hope I'll get over myself and invest a little in my photographing by buying myself a new lens or 
two, or at least just find the one we have in our basement! Hopefully this will help me explore my
 photographing abilities a whole new way and help me develop same. Also, I hope I'll spend some 
more alone time with the Olympus AF-1 to practice compositions, light and other settings, and this
 way hopefully also develop my photographing to the better. 

I hope you find your questions answered! If not, please write a comment below with your question!

Emma xx

London Through My Lens IV

Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies

My Christmas Playlist

Now that we're 5 days into December, I thought it was about time to share a little Christmas 

spirit with you all. When it comes to Christmas spirit, I fully admit that I'm not one who 

dress up as Santa's helper and make a big thing of decorating my house. No, I'm more the 

person that  just want to sit around with my friends, covered up in blankets, and drink a

 cup of hot chocolate while listening to Christmassy tunes. Over the years, I've just 

listened to top list Christmas music, you know, Michael Bublé and Maria Carey - the classics, 

but not this year. This year I've searched all over the internet to find some tunes that really 

made me get the Christmas feeling and that weren't just the classics, and that is what I want

to share with you as my first post of two this cold December 5th. 

I've put together a little list of my very favourites of the non-classic versions of the classic

 songs, and you can find them right here: 

Have yourself a merry little Christmas!

Emma xx

Manchester through my lens

Rawnola

FRAGILE LIFE

My Autumn Playlist

Vegan Chocolate Cake

Postcard from Brighton

Sweet Potato Fries

Adventure Mixtape

Oxford through my lens

Berry Filled Green Tea Oatmeal

Vegan Pankcakes

Becoming Vegetarian

Spinach Pesto Pasta

London Through My Lens III

Give Yourself A High-Five

My Spring Playlist

Ibiza Through My Lens