If you read my blog since a while, you would have seen tuns of mentions about tea in my posts – it’s just no secret at all that I love a cuppa every now and then. Or even more often.

I like all about tea. From the boiling and pouring actions to the very first sip, the warming feeling of your hands hugging a hot cup and the sweet taste of warm tea in which I overdid a little with sugar or honey – because I like it extra sweet! I like tea mugs, in fact I’m obsessed with them and my kitchen pantry is kind of overflowing because of them with me pretending not to see that. I love milk in tea, classic cow milk in black tea and almond milk in chai tea. I love lemon in my green tea. I love sweet teas, herbal teas, black tea, green tea.

I think I like tea more than cheese. And that’s not even possible!

Wasn’t it about time to share my favourite tea picks throughout the day (and show off part of my mug collection)? So here it is, ‘my day in tea cups’.

Morning tea

Even though I’m partial to coffee as first thing in the morning, I do sometimes still have tea for breakfast and if I don’t, I’ll surely have a cup after my morning yoga – it makes my morning routine even nicer! In the morning I like my tea even sweeter than usual, preferring black tea above others: my current (or should I say all-time?) favourite is the Lipton Vanilla Caramel Black Tea – this tea is such a treat, with caramel and vanilla pairing so nicely, sweet and delicate, almost creamy. It’s sweet even without adding sugar (but I highly suggest a teaspoon of organic honey for the perfectly indulgent tea) and milk it’s just made for it. Even though I do not dislike it in the afternoon too, it makes for the perfect early morning tea cup.

5 o’clock tea

I’ll always have tea in the afternoon. I love colder seasons just because tea never seems out of place, and personally, suffering cold quite a lot, when the sun goes down and the temperatures start falling, there’s nothing better to me than a warming hot cup of tea to take a break in the middle of the afternoon. I like green tea in the afternoon, any green tea really: I am a fan of the Clipper Citrus & Echinacea Green Tea as I think lemon-like flavours pair so nicely with green tea, but I also love mint green tea and jasmine green tea especially (one of my favourites!).

Nighttime tea

I have recently written a little article about effective hacks to sleep better for Mode, highly suggesting, between others, to try some teas and infusions just before bedtime as a lot of them are known to be natural remedies to treat insomnia. I find myself having a cup of tea in the evening quite often: I like fennel tea for digestion, rose and chamomile for helping me relax and fall asleep easily (great when you have a lot going on in your head and you toss and turn a bit too much!). I’m also curious to stock up on lavender, oat flower and lemon balm teas to see how they work with me, as they’re also great nighttime picks.

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I’m on the market for new teas, so I’d love to know what you like to drink throughout your days! x

Check out Great Apps to Boost your Creativity

by Giada at Mode

The best thing about upgrading my iPhone after so long (apart from new emojis)? Being finally able to have enough storage to download all those apps I’ve always felt I couldn’t live without. First on the list, anything that could help with my daily life and business.

Running an online business alongside with writing this blog, most of my working days are spent doing admin work or trying to schedule things and arrange my time. I bet most of you would know how boring it can be sometimes and how easy it is, especially when working from home, to procrastinate instead. I have a little selection of favourite apps to keep me focused and organized and always keep my creativity alive I think are totally worth sharing!

Coffitivity – For: focus and creativity.
Forest – For: avoiding procrastination and keeping track of your working hours.
Evernote – For: creating lists and storing drafts.
Balanced – For: reminding you the things you need to do more when taking breaks.
Colorfy – For: stimulating creativity and relaxing.
Penultimate – For: handwritten drafts and notes.
Sunrise – For: scheduling and keeping things organized.

{ Check out the piece I wrote for Mode to know more! }
What’s your favourite app to stay organized and keep your creativity alive? x

As the new year started I downloaded the Balanced App on my phone, and with my usual way to intend things, I thought I’d start to use it to force myself to do things I need to do more as if what I usually do is not enough. It was only when notifications started to appear on my screen saying ‘Have you rewarded yourself today?’ that I kind of got it, what it’s meant to be like: it’s about rewarding and treating yourself for all the hard work, about finding time to do more of what you like but usually don’t do frequently enough and reminding yourself that all the hard work you put into things produces something you should also invest in anything you love – be it painting, reading a book, going out more, anything really.

I silently went through a phase when everything I was doing and producing (not only as a creative freelancer but also as a home baker, reader, photographer), it just wasn’t enough. The thing with the modern online world is that we’re always in touch with worldwide people lifes which just always look so nice and neat through a camera, and especially when producing online content, it’s so easy to feel down and not up the the circumstances. Most times I’m OK with anything I produce and am proud of what I do, but do you ever feel like ‘what a boring life I have though!’? – entering that state of mind where your life is not that interesting at all just doesn’t do any good to your confidence and creativity.

What it was happening to me was that I went back into a rigid working routine and forgot about taking enough breaks and time for myself (again!!). I forgot to treat and reward myself for all the hard work, the progresses and all the positive steps I took so far. I needed that gentle reminder to avoid myself the winter blues and get back into track: I treated myself to some new little things that make me feel happier and comfier, and I already feel a lot more motivated!

As for me, it might seems so basic and boring, but I like to spoil myself to new loungewear and PJs and cosy fluffy new slippers. I popped into Oysho the other day and found there my happy place: I would always buy anything from them, everything always looks so cosy, soft, fluffy and comfy! Just my type of loungewear. And since I’ve promised myself to read more in the new year, I’ve invested in the famous The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying and am excited to start reading it!

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What’s your favourite way to treat yourself? x