Traveling To Vienna, Family Reunion, Girls Sleep-Over & More | Neeltje’s Thoughts: My Summer

Say hello September! Wait, what? Yes, I was so confused to find out it’s already September. Before we know it, it’s going to be 2020… But before we get there, I want to look back on this summer. This was the first summer I didn’t have six weeks (or more) summer break. When you start working, you have a specific amount of days you are able to take off during the year. So, you have to spend those wisely and I did. I went to Amsterdam, Vienna, saw The Lion King, had a family reunion, spend time with my friends and you’ll read all about that in this blog post. ☼ E N J O Y ☼

⁝ July 5, 2019 ⁝

When I was studying, I think I would go to Amsterdam at least once a month. Now that I am working, I haven’t been in some time… So at the beginning of July Lotte and I had the best (literally the best) excuse to go to Amsterdam. Why? Because we were invited to enjoy pancakes at the new MOAK Pancakes City Center location! Never say never to some tasty pancakes… You might have read all about my experience at MOAK Pancakes in a previous blog post, just like my visit to the pretty, picture perfect, pink &C Store. This was such a dream store and it definitely inspired me to wear more color. Always lovely to visit Amsterdam!

⁝ July 18, 2019 ⁝

Right at the beginning of the year my colleagues and I scheduled a date for our annual company outing, and on July 18 it was time to go! Two of my colleagues actually organized the whole thing and nobody (expect for them) knew what we were going to do. I had guessed a bunch of things and in the end we went to an escape room and ended the afternoon with drinks & snacks in The Hague. I had never done an escape room but it was so much fun! Unfortunately our team lost (sad face) but we almost made it. I am already trying to convince my friends to do one…

⁝ July 22, 2019 ⁝

One thing I love to do when it’s sunny, is go on a walk in the evening. In the evening it will cool down a little and while walking I love to see the sun go down. Who doesn’t love a good sunset? Around where I live are different areas that are perfect for an evening stroll and this evening we went through one of them. The light was perfect so while walking, of course I had to take some photos.

⁝ July 28 – August 1, 2019 ⁝

Oh my. Throughout the year I had been looking forward so bad to the trip Lotte and I booked. And on July 28 it was finally time to leave and discover Vienna, Austria! In five days we saw almost everything the city had to offer but we still had a pretty relaxed holiday. The weather was amazing, the people were really nice and the sights were incredible. I finally got to see the palace Sissi lived (I used to watch Sissi all the time on television) and I was so surprise by how beautiful Vienna is and why I hadn’t heard anyone talking about it before. If you’re looking for a city trip location, consider Vienna for sure!

⁝ August 5, 2019 ⁝

After I got back from Vienna, I actually still had one week off from work. At first I didn’t want to take another week off, but then I thought: Why not? And let me tell you, the best decision I made. I got just one week where I didn’t have to do anything. Some days I would just stay in pajamas all day and other days I went out and about. Like on this day. Because I went to Leiden with my mom and grandma. We just walked around, went to some ‘hofjes’, had lunch at ROOS Taste & Smile, shopped (I got a new pair of jeans from Tommy Hilfiger in the sale!!) and also sat down at Brownies & downieS (because why not). It was such a lovely day!

⁝ August 8 – 9, 2019 ⁝

In that same week my friends and I planned a girls sleep-over! Very old-school and always so much fun. We ordered pizza, drank lots of ice tea green, went to a playground (just like in the old days) and watched old movies from our teenage years. As you can imagine, it was like a typical girls night. The next morning we went to Tulum Tulum in Noordwijk. It was raining a little but it was very cozy just to sit inside and eat all of the snacks! Oh, and at Tulum Tulum I tried Fentimans Sparkling Raspberry for the first time and it’s really good.

⁝ August 16, 2019 ⁝

Everyone had been raving about the new The Lion King movie and since Elba and I go to the cinema a couple times during the year. So, of course we had to see The Lion King. I had very high exceptions, so I walked into the cinema with my popcorn in hand and was ready to be blown away. Maybe it was the fact we watched it in Dutch and not English, but I was kind of disappointed. I don’t know what I expected, but yeah… Anyways, it was still a good movie and maybe I should just watch it in English and it will be better.

⁝ August 17 – 18, 2019 ⁝

This Saturday started with a very long train journey to Zwolle, because my grandma and I were going to the reunion of my grandpa’s brothers. My grandpa passed away a couple of years ago but my grandma was still invited and since my parents were on holiday, I decided to go with my grandma. This side of the family I rarely see because everybody lives on the other side of the country and I hadn’t seen them in years. I didn’t know what to expect but it was a very lovely evening! Everyone was so nice and loved seeing characteristics and movements of my grandpa in his brothers. Since it was in Zwolle, my grandma and I stayed overnight and went to her sister in Zwolle the next morning. All in all, I loved this family filled weekend!

⁝ August 22, 2019 ⁝

My parents were on holiday for two weeks and at the beginning of those two weeks I started work again. During their holiday my friends came over and had dinner with me, and I called with my grandma almost every evening and together we decided we should go out for dinner so my brother and I didn’t have to cook. We went to La Both in Leiden, a spot with pretty inexpensive but also very tasty food. I actually got a goat cheese salad and of course cinnamon ice cream for desert. This is definitely something I want to do more with my grandma. Just go out for dinner or lunch.

⁝ September 2, 2019 ⁝

Whenever I go away for a weekend or just a couple of days, I never bring a suitcase with me but just a backpack. One of the backpacks I really find handy (and fits all of the crap I want to take with me) is my Pråper backpack from Gaston Luga. They asked me to tell you something about their new product launch, because this week they released a new backpack called Pärlan and a wallet as well (called Börs)! When I received my backpack, I was so excited because I already own one (which you might have seen in this outfit post) and their backpacks are very minimalistic and practical. The wallet came in the cutest packaging and you are also able to wear the wallet on your wrist when you’re going out or don’t feel like taking a full bag somewhere.

Btw, with my personal discount code you’ll get 15% off so definitely use NEELTJE15 when checking out. And when you order a backpack in September, you’ll receive a free Ärlig toiletry bag with your order (it’s such a must when traveling)!

All in all, this kind of describes my summer! I absolutely loved having two weeks off from work, just explore a new city and also have tons of time for myself. I did notice that when I got back to work, I got so easily tired. So, I try to take good care of myself as I don’t want to get sick. Don’t know if it will help, but yeah. IT’S SO WEIRD IT’S LESS THAN 4 MONTHS UNTIL MY BIRTHDAY (and the new year)… Like, why is the year going by so quick? I have to be honest, I am pretty excited for Christmas. Enough reminiscing about the future. Just enjoy today because you only have one chance to enjoy this moment, on this specific day. Make it a good one! How was your summer? What has been your favorite summer activity?

Love,

Neeltje

This was posted in collaboration with Gaston Luga