essentials Archives - Wander-Lust

02 Jun 2018

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7 Swimwear Trends for 2018

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On June 2, 2018 With No Comments

I can’t believe we are in May already and summer is just a few months away! Time to start with some preparations ….
Next to the Levi’s 501 shorts, flared trousers, loafers, sandals, kimono’s, kaftan’s, short skirts and silk dresses, We really love to spend my time finding the perfect bathing suit. It’s one of the many obsessions I have » looking gorgeous during summer in the perfect bikini or bathing suit!

Where does summer takes you and which bikini will suit your travel plans the most?

I’ve done all the work for you! Have a look at the Swimwear Trends for 2018.

The Low Cut Bathing Suit
We knew that bathing-suits were back since last year, but this time the cut is getting lowwwww! If you have smaller breasts, you can certainly get away with it, so therefore we love this trend. Get a sexy plunge that Benthe Liem is wearing here.

Benthe Liem wearing Gooseberry Seaside

The Strappy Bikini
Get ready to look like you’re about to walk into a beachparty, cause this bikini is on trend and everybody will ask you where you got it. Good thing, that Strappy Bikini’s are already available for less than 10 euro, like the one below.

Source: ASOS

The Belted Swimsuit
Love, love, love this swimwear trend of 2018. It really compliments a women’s shape and it was the perfect swimsuit for Elke when she just became a new mum. Too insecure to wear a bikini? This might be the solution for you! The best ones are a little more pricey, but sooo worth it!

Source

The Belted Bikini
Yep, there is the belt again. This time on your next bikini. It’s not the first time we’ve seen something like this before, nope, many years ago a pretty James Bond girl flaunted her Belted Bikini for the world to take note. Now, in 2018, you will see this style on the beach or by the pool. Buy it here.

Fashion Icon, James Bond vibes by Ursula Andress

Retro Swimwear
Let’s go back to the 90’s with this look. Retro is hotter than ever and even if it’s something to get used to a little bit, it’s something you will see more of. O’Neill just launched their re-issued swimwear, pretty out there but we kinda like it! Shop it here.

Tropical Prints
Tigers, palmtrees, pineapples and even unicorns have been spotted on swimwear this year. Get ready for summer and pick your favorite print. We love this one from COSTES Fashion. Buy it here for just €15,-

Monday Swimwear
Not just one piece but a brand that is suuuuper hot right now. The girls behind Monday Swimwear might sounds familiar to you. Tash Oakley and Devin Brugman are the hottest bikini girls out there and their swimwear line is really taking the leas this year. You will see many girls wearing Monday Swimwear this summer, just check bikini!

Our favorite bikini of the year!

Beach proof ready? Wear your swimwear with:

» Pair of lovely cute sandals
» Long translucent kaftan or kimono
» Sunnies
» Oversized sun hat
» Handbag

Don’t forget to share your pick with us via @wanderlust.nl

Enjoy summer y’all!

Love,

Wander-Lust

13 May 2018

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in T R E A S U R E S Permalink

The Treatwell Series » I tried the popular Lypossage

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On May 13, 2018

A few weeks ago I found my first grey hair. I panicked just a little. Being in my thirties, I’m confronted with the fact that I’m getting older, and it’s literally the first time that I started to look for ways to slow down the process. Not that there is anything wrong with getting older, but I would like to do it gracefully and the time has come to give that little extra attention to..well, me! In collaboration with Treatwell, I’m going to spend the next few months testing different treatments that are suppose to make me feel and look better on the in and outside. Last month I reviewed a Microdermabrasion treatment and this month I tried a Lypossage, a touch massage that smoothes out your skin and reduces cellulite.

Lypossage sounds like a treatment you’re having done at a plastic surgery clinic

What is Lypossage?
Lypossage sounds like a treatment you’re having done at a plastic surgery clinic, but don’t worry, it’s nothing like that. It’s in fact a massage that is gaining popularity amongst many women, especially when bikini season is starting. It’s a deep and touch massage that loosens up these touch and stuck area’s so it can then start to break down and leave your body. Lypossage also detoxifies the body of stalled lymphatic fluid (Lymphoedema) that can create the lumps and bulges we know as cellulite. Besides that, it also tones the muscles, lifting and firming sagging tissue. It’s part of a healthy lifestyle and even though it’s not the most relaxing massage you’ll ever have, it’s something that (especially) women stand in line for.

I had my first Lypossage treatment at Vitalíté Amsterdam. This salon, located on the canals of Amsterdam, is run by a wonderful “local” lady named Nancy. She first got into this treatment back in 2005, when the US founder Charles W. Wiltsie came to Amsterdam to introduce Lypossage to the European market. Nancy followed an intensive workshop and since then she is offering the treatment in her own salon. Funny enough, Lypossage is recently taking a center stage in the beauty treatment world, because several celebrities have recently posted on social media about it. I was curious and made my appointment.

She is working my body as if she is preparing bread dough!

No Pain No gain
There are 3 different zones; zone one is focusing on your legs, bum and tummy. Zone 2 is for the upper body and Zone 3 is for the face. I went for Zone 1, because after my pregnancy, I started to see some small signs of cellulite, something I had never seen before. Time to get into it! After filling out a short questionnaire, it was time to lay down on the treatment table. The massage starts on the legs and works up to the bum and tummy. “It’s all about the fast movement”, she says. And fast she is! She is working my body as if she is preparing bread dough! Besides the heavy massaging of the skin, she also “hits” it short and fast with the outside knuckles of her hands. This sounds painful but it’s actually not. The massage is less enjoyable if I had to compare the two. Especially when she arrives next to my hips, an area where my fat likes to store itself. (hello chips & pizzas). Those kind of problem area’s tend to be more sensitive.

My tummy is the thing that affected me the most. Not at the time, but afterwards. During the treatment she lifts my tummy between her fingers when I exhale, I needed to tense my tummy muscles (I do have them somewhere), and she pulls it. She does this three times after massaging it. I don’t want to get into details, but I had to see Mr. Toilet 3 times that and the next day. My body was literally detoxing and I really felt my body was getting rid of anything that didn’t belong there anymore. It’s important to drink a lot of water or herbal tea after the Lypossage, so that’s what I did.

My Verdict
The treatment itself wasn’t so bad as I thought it would be. After a while, you don’t even feel discomfort. Nancy told me, that her customers feel less every time they come in for a treatment because everything starts to “loosen” up. A Lypossage treatment at Vitalíté is 45 minutes long and costs €60,-. You can also buy a package of 10 treatments for €575,- which gives you a discount of 25 euro. Would I do it again? Yes I would. I really felt the effect it had on my body, so something was going on. My legs feel & look firmer and my skin felt smooth, even after a week. I think it’s the perfect treatment to do before a beach holiday. I would suggest getting at least three Lypossage treatments to get the best result. Want to try the same treatment I had? Book yours here!

Vitalíté Amsterdam
Prinsengracht 80, Amsterdam
Website

Love,

Elke

07 May 2018

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Shop all your favorite (travel) bags here!

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On May 7, 2018

We all know, that any traveler is in need of a travel bag, suitcases or just something pretty to walk around with and put all your stuff in. There are plenty of options and brands, but wouldn’t it be great if you could find everything into one place?

Duifhuizen Tassen & Koffers is a store and webshop from The Netherlands where you can find the best brands when it comes to bags and suitcases. The company was founded back in 1953 and has 26 locations around the country. Not having experienced the online platform before, it was time to purchase our first “online” suitcase.

Whatever your pick.. Duifhuizen has it!

We love the pastel colours and 50’s retro feel of SUITSUIT, and because Sarah was traveling to Coachella, we decided to purchase one of their suitcases. Mind you, there is plenty of choice, so don’t limit yourself! From Fjälraven, Eastpak and The North Face, to Samsonite or Delsey. They have it all! Ordering was easy peasy, and there were no shipping costs involved. Sarah’s suitcase was delivered the next day, which was awesome because it was a last minute thing. (Last-Minute-Girl is Sarah’s nickname). They can even deliver your purchase in the evening slot for free! Want to send it as a gift? Wrapping it, is also free. Ok! This saves you a lot of hassle, let me tell you.

Sarah in LA with her SUITSUIT suitcase

Not traveling and still in need of a quirky handbag of some sort? What about this must have festival pouch! The good thing about buying your travel essentials here, is because you know the quality is solid and you always have a great return policy. Shopping online for travel bags has never been so easy!

The musthave for this festival season! (source: Duifhuizen)

We’re curious if you have ever shopped online for your travel purchases, what was your experience?

Happy travels!

Elke

Duifhuizen Koffers & Tassen
Website / Facebook

*This article was written in collaboration with Duifhuizen. We only collaborate with brands and organisations that we believe in and offer a good product, so we can tip it to you, our readers in an honest way.

16 Apr 2018

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Festival trends seen at Coachella 2018

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On April 16, 2018 With No Comments

Sarah just got back from an amazing couple of days at Palm Springs and enjoyed Coachella 2018 to the max. With the festival weekend 1 gone, we can talk about some of the outfits and trends! Yes, Coachella is the catwalk that defines the new trends for this coming festival season, and what to wear this summer.

Trend » Retro Cat Eye Sunglasses
No surprise, because these been around for a few months now, but Coachella just confirmed the trend. Last year we saw many roundies and big was back, but this year it’s all about those narrow sunnies that slide down to the nose. Some are more extreme than others, but if you want to look the part this year, you cannot do without a pair! Shop yours at Mango.

Retro look

Hair Trend » Hair Jewellery
Besides the usual glitter dust, we love this new hair trend where you add rings into your plaits. You can add flowers or colourful dots to pimp it even more. Check out these girls!

Pimp your hair!

Kenza rocking this trend

Trend » Denim
The Coachella trend that never fails; Denim. We saw a whole lot of it at Coachella this year. Timeless right?

Spotted with Alessandra, Sarah and Lizzy

Trend » Belt Bags
Finally! A trend that is also super handy, yet stylish! Add your mobile phone, lipstick and gooo! Shop your here.

Handy and fasionable!

Trend » Kimono’s
Yep, they are back in business! Thank god, I have a few left in my closet! But if you don’t, you better buy yours fast! 😉
Kimono’s are also a great option for when it cools down at night. Shop our favourite kimono of the season here.

They got it right:

Julie Sarinana aka @SINCERELYJULES
We’ve been following this tropical girl for a couple of years now and she didn’t disappoint us at Coachella this year. We love how she sticks by her own style!

Source: @sincerelyjules

Jamie Kidd aka @JAMIENKIDD
Wow, this girl is on fire! She’s a model (no shit) and a travel blogger. Cute as hell but she also has a great shape and she flaunts it in the right way. She really stood out this Coachella last year and this year she’s doing it again.

Source: @Jamienkidd

Claire Rose Cliteur aka @Claartjerose
One of the biggest influencers of The Netherlands at the moment. This picture is one of the most shared pictures on the “Coachella” internet right now.

Source: @Claartjerose

Sarah Reinhoudt aka @Wanderlust.nl
Of course! I have to mention the women I was most jealous of this week. Sarah got it right with her Levi’s style.

Representing Levi’s and Wander-Lust, Sarah was killing it!

So, what’s your favourite trend? Check our Instagram Stories for the report!

Love,

Wander-Lust

05 Apr 2018

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Amsterdam, E S S E N T I A L S Permalink

The Treatwell Series » Microdermabrasion

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On April 5, 2018

Last week I found my first grey hair. I panicked just a little. Being in my thirties, I’m confronted with the fact that I’m getting older, and it’s literally the first time that I started to look for ways to slow down the process. Not that there is anything wrong with getting older, but I would like to do it gracefully and the time has come to give that little extra attention to..well, me! In collaboration with Treatwell, I’m going to spend the next few months testing different treatments that are suppose to make me feel and look better on the in and outside. Starting on the outside and on order to tackle my wrinkles and blemishes, I decided to have a Microdermabrasion treatment.

It’s perfect for those that have skin with a few imperfections

What is Microdermabrasion?
If you chop the word into 3 parts, you can easily find out what it actually means. Micro = small, Derma = Skin, Brasion = scraping. Sounds a bit weird? Well, it’s basically a peeling, an exfoliation 3.0, but not chemical. It’s perfect for those that have skin with a few imperfections that we all have. (except Doutzen Kroes, I envy you) Tiny crystals remove all the dead skin and your body is triggered to produce new skin. (this already happens on a regular basis, but when you get older, it happens less frequently and slower). Time to put it to the test!

Sanne Swinkels Skincare
I decided to get my first Microdermabrasion treatment at Sanne Swinkels Skincare in Amsterdam. She set up her own beauty salon a few years ago, after working for one of the most successful beauty clinics in the Netherlands. She is specialised in skincare and your treatment is always tailor made. Before we start, Sanne wants to know everything about my skin. What are my worries, complaints and problems? We find out that my skin is dehydrated. I don’t drink enough water and I should use a good cleansing product instead of just cleansing with water. (shame on me)

Sanne Swinkels Skincare

After a load of information about what she is going to do, we start the treatment. Sanne tells me that it’s not going to be a relaxing feeling, and that I am definitely going to feel it. The machine she is using looks interesting and you could compare it to a small vacum for your face. Inside a tube, tiny aluminiumoxide crystals are being blown onto your skin and by circular movements, the dead skin cells are being removed. Does it hurt? Well, it doesn’t feel like the best thing in the world, but I could handle it. She also includes my chest area and the collarbone area is a little sensitive. After the treatment, the relaxing part starts. Finally! Sanne massages my skin to get the blood flowing and 3 important steps follow; Tone, Hydrate and moisturise.

Where the Microdermabrasion magic happens

The Result
Now, don’t expect your skin to start glowing immediately. Your skin just had a rough session and needs to recover. It will look red and will feel sensitive. Do not apply any make-up for at least one day and avoid the sunshine. Because the top layer of your skin has been removed, it will produce new, fresh skin but this takes a few days. After about 2 days, your skin will start to peel, so moisture is key here! After 6 days my skin really looked refreshed, tighter and glowy. Sanne says that ideally, you come for a treatment every 4 to 6 weeks, but once every season is also a good option. Good to know: with 1 peeling you are not there BUT it’s a good start.. A series of 6-10 treatments is usually recommended for the best results, with 2 weeks / 10 days in between for skin to recover.

Looking pretty good for someone who has just had their skin cells vacuumed off their face

My verdict: What I liked a lot, is that you can have it done during your lunch hour and go straight back to work looking pretty good for someone who has just had their skin cells vacuumed off their face. I do feel like my skin looked better after 1 week, and my blemishes had disappeared. Mind you, I do think you should go for a Microdermabrasion treatment more often if you have a problem skin. Did it make me feel any younger? In a way it did, because it’s a first step into the greater care I want to give my skin, especially because I am seeing the sun often during my travels.

To book the same Microdermabrasion treatment I had, visit the Sanne Swinkels Skincare page on the Treatwell website.

Love,

Elke

Follow our adventures on our Instagram Stories!

25 Jan 2018

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Amsterdam, E S S E N T I A L S, Spots Permalink

Kindred Spirits » The store inspired by Travel

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On January 25, 2018

It’s been a while since we’ve highlighted a store in Amsterdam. Well, the time has come and this time it’s a store with a travel story; Kindred Spirits.

The Story
Kindred Spirits is a lifestyle brand that describes itself as “encouraged by the desire to explore the world”. Founders Martijn & Jovanna combined their love for travel and garments and were particularly inspired by countries like Morocco, Turkey and South Africa. When they returned to Amsterdam, they decided they wanted to create a brand that would bring those worlds together, yet be authentic and of high quality. It all started with the famous Kiboot, this unmissable festival boot created from old recycled rugs, was the item that every girl wanted. The brand eventually evolved into Kindred Spirits and the story continues..

When you enter the store, you will see a large wall, covered with the most amazing boots.

The famous Kiboots lined up

The Store
The flagship store opened back in 2015 and sells much more than just their famous boots. Here you can find colourful rugs, pillows, bags, accessories and gift ideas. All products are of high quality and . You can tell that all the items are inspired by travel. When you enter the store, you will see a large wall, covered with the most amazing boots. All different colors and sizes, because every pair is unique. When I arrived to pick up my ordered boots, the girls who worked there were just unpacking a huge order that they’ve received just after Christmas. Great to see that this boot never goes out of style. If your heading to Coachella this year, be sure to get a pair!

Pretty cushions to pimp your living area Photo: Styled by Sabine

They also sell these (very) comfy knitted socks that will keep you warm during those cold days!

Like what you see? They are having some items on SALE at the moment!

*Their wonderful lammy boots are on SALE with 25% discount. From 199,95 to 149,95 euro.
*This whole February you get a pair of knitted socks (like the picture above), when you spend 75 euro or more!

Kindred Spirits
Utrechtsestraat 47, Amsterdam
Website

Love,

Elke

27 Nov 2017

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These are the Best Giftshops in Utrecht

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On November 27, 2017 With 2 Comments

The festive season is just around the corner. Sinterklaasavond (a Dutch celebration for kids) and Christmas eve are only a couple of weeks ahead and everybody’s getting ready to have family gatherings full of gifts.. Oh boy, the stress! Thankfully you can find many cosy giftshops in Utrecht where you can get everything you need. If you are in in Utrecht, be sure to check this perfect guide to find lovely presents.

Paperbird Conceptstore, Oudkerkhof 40
If you are looking for various accessories and clothing, this is the place you should go to. They have a lot of glittery fashion items, which will be perfect for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. There are also many beauty products and home decorations for sale. Run by two boss ladies, this concept store deserves a mention in the best giftshops in Utrecht.

Fashion and accessories at Paperbird

Pracht, Oudegracht 133
Pracht is a little jewellery shop at a corner at the busy Oudegracht. You can find various jewellery, bags and accessories there in different price ranges.

Atelier Ohlala, Kintgenshaven 1A
This hidden shop is close to the cozy Neude. The shop is very mini, but they have a nice assortment varying from golden rings to cute coffee cups and baby goodies.

Ready for the festive season, Atelier Oelala

It’s a Present, Lijnmarkt 16
If you go to It’s a Present, you will be sure to buy something. The store has so many things and you will probably buy something that you didn’t think you would ever need. Choose from a variety of cacti, (animal) coffee cups, postcards and many other knick knacks.

Just in time for the holidays!

Keck & Lisa, Zadelstraat 38
Keck & Lisa is the place if you need anything for the kitchen or just a fun gift for your friends. It’s full of wanna-haves and you can walk around here for hours. The whole store is fully stuffed with amazing gifts and tools. It will be hard to leave this store empty handed!

Source

WAAR, Lijnmarkt 21
WAAR has a wide range of sustainable goodies. You can buy fairtrade food and drinks, but also special soap, candles, beauty products and home decorations.

All the Luck in the World, Zadelstraat 15
This store made it to our list of Coolest Concept Stores in Amsterdam so it’s a must visit if you are looking for giftstores in Utrecht. Another nice and cozy shop is All the Luck in the World. They sell many jewellery items, but also cute home accessories and postcards plus you can grab a nice coffee while you’re at it!

So what are you waiting for, get yourself some gifts right in time for the holidays!

Love,

Merel

More Utrecht? Check out this recently opened hotspot!

09 Oct 2017

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Review » The new Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On October 9, 2017 With No Comments

There are sooo many camera’s out there at the moment and when you live in the year 2017, you know you are in need of one. In my profession, a good camera is pretty much unmissable. But because I’m always on the go, I don’t want to walk around with a huge camera that breaks my back. I decided to buy the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II camera a few years ago. One of my better decisions in life I tell you. This camera has been strapped around my neck on every presstrip and holiday since then. You can imagine that I was stoked to hear that Olympus released their new version of the camera this September. The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III. Let’s review this baby!

How does it look?
The body is available in silver and black and apart from the color, it looks pretty much the same as the previous OM-D version. Some buttons have change position like the ON/OFF switch. The hand grip is also slightly different than the previous OM-D, but that’s about it. I guess there is no point in changing a good look and that’s exactly what Olympus must have been thinking.

Hello you!

Important Improvements
There are a few highlights to the new OM-D E-M10 Mark III that are worth mentioning.

UHD 4K video capture (3820 x 2160 resolution)
16MP image sensor (same as previous OMD), but with updated processor TruePic VIII, the same processor used in E-M1 Mark II
Improved image stabilization
New Cluster AF points selection
Simplified menu and shortcuts

Images, Anywhere, Anytime
Thanks to the combination of the latest TruePic VIll image processor, which I already knew about the OM-D E-M1 Mark II top model, and Olympus’ leading 5-axis image stabilization system, photographers can now take even more beautiful and sharper photos than ever before. Colors are extremely vivid. You need to play around with the settings of the camera to find the right balance for every photo opportunity but the easy menu makes this possible.

Anne Frank, captured in Amsterdam

Video
We all know that video has become a very important tool for journalists and influencers over the last 2 years. One thing Olympus does pretty damn good is the build-in camera stabilization. When you move or the road is a bit bumpy, your frame will still looks amazingly steady, especially with video. Another great feature is, that you have the option to capture a video in 4K format. This means you can use the video on every platform, from Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. It’s also the highest quality format. I am really happy the way it films and I also love the slow motion setting! Baywatch run, here I come!

Scenes and Art settings
The Olympus OM-D has a lot of options to be creative. You can use the scene section for close ups (there is even a setting for shooting close up documents), movement or better sunsets. You can use the Art section to create your photo’s into something more dramatic. There are 30 different art settings! While I was in Berlin to test the camera, I captured a girl on skates to really test the movement and I also played around with the art dramatic tone. The first picture is shot with the movement setting in the Scene menu and the second is shot with the Art setting.

These photo’s have not been edited besides using the Scene and Art Settings.

Other handy functions

Build in WIFI so you can connect your camera to your phone and download images
Viewfinder which is great for when it’s sunny
Contrast Detection AF system
Self timer
Touch screen
Sleep mode to save battery
You can fit many different lenses onto this camera (even from other brands!)

Verdict:
The OM-D E-M10 Mark III is a stylish compact system camera for beginners and hobby photographers that are looking to be a little more creative. Having said that, pro photographers would also love this camera as a second to hand. It’s extremely lightweight so when it’s impossible to travel with a lot of gear, this is the camera you should have. It’s one of the better compact camera’s out there in my opinion and although I am far from being a professional photographer, I seem to be taking some pretty good pictures and video’s and I can’t take all the credit myself right?

Buy the new Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III for €799,- at stores worldwide.
All images were taken with the E-m10 Mark III

Love,

Elke

Do you want to know how to take travel photo’s like a boss? Click on the picture!

26 Sep 2017

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Protest comes with a brand new SUP Collection

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On September 26, 2017 With No Comments

Normally I take you on food bucket list proof tours in Amsterdam or surroundings. But surprise surprise, this time I had to burn some calories! Protest invited Wander-Lust for their launch of the Spring / Summer collection SS18 and I was one of the first people to try & test it! To celebrate this happening, Protest organised a fun SUP clinic through the charming canals of Amsterdam with healthy snacks and fresh juices.

The Protest SS18 collection in a nutshell
Let’s zoom in on the background of the colorful Spring / Summer collection. It’s a return to nature, freedom and above all living life. Expect a combination of great designs, styles and fashion trends that highlights the real passion of sun, fun and active sports with a sprinkling of spiritualism. During the presentation of the new collection for 2018 they impressed me with the number of trends they take into account. For example, take the women street- and swimwear. Expect high necks, ruffles, knotted details and exciting designs. I’ve seen really unique items. Also check the Mix & Match swimwear with mixed & matching patterns. These great combinations will certainly not bore you, believe me. To be honest, I wasn’t that much aware of the Protest collections before the recently organised event. They really surprised me with their trendy SUP, spring and summer collection! And nice to know: the high quality items are all reasonably priced. In no time I had my hands full of pretty items. Especially loved the diversity in styles, colors and fittings. Are you more a type for sexy, exciting Brazilian fits, do you prefer the classic, elegant Northern European styles or are you a real fit girl? Protest has the right fit for you! Click here and get inspired.

Brand new SUP collection
Last year Protest had a fantastic start with the first SUP wear collection, which is why they’re expanding it with at least one year. Because the SUP board collaboration with Lokahi boards was such a success, they’re extending it. They’ve designed a very colorful limited edition inflatable Protest Air SUP board that you’ll steal the SUP show with.

Trying to stay on the SUP Board

I can’t wait to show off my new SUP suit as much as possible!

Love,

Sharmaine

Click here to shop the new Protest collection.

*Sharmaine is one of our guest bloggers from the Netherlands with a sweet tooth. The sweeter, the better! She no kitchen princess so she’s always in search for the best hotspots in Amsterdam! You can expect an article from her once a month! Check her out on @sharriefromsandmountains!

10 Jul 2017

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Living out of a backpack, the essential tips before take off

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On July 10, 2017 With No Comments

I was having this itch, for years now already. Some days it faded away a bit, on others it was stronger then ever. It was necessary that i scratched. Now, before you start to think I’m telling you about some gross disease, don’t worry. Of course I’m talking about the travelbug! But this bug wasn’t going away with a citytrip or a 2 week holiday. This was a pretty bad one. So, I took the plunge, quit my job and booked a plane ticket to Asia. I figured it would take about 7 months of scratching before I returned back to normal. But, saying goodbye to my job and pay for the ticket was the easy part. How do you prepare for such a long trip? I wont bother telling you about the basics like arranging your visa and getting you shots (yes, get them, all!). But here are some (packing)tips and tricks that will make your backpacker life somewhat easier (don’t worry, you can use them on shorter trips as well).

Like planning your trip, you need to plan your packing

Leave half of your luggage at home
I’ve learned the hard way, carrying a heavy backpack or suitcase is not fun at all. Many people told me to leave half of the stuff I wanted to take at home. I did not listen. The result is a bag full of clothes I probably won’t wear, toiletries that weigh me down and other small somethings that were thrown in five seconds before leaving. There is much more fun in buying new clothes during your travels and having space for awesome souvenirs. And be honest, do you really need that nail polish remover?

Solid shampoo
In the process of making my bag lighter, I discovered something awesome. Shampoo and conditioner bars from Lush. They look like soap bars and weigh hardly anything. Major plus: the shampoo and conditioner are heavily concentrated so you don’t need much to lather up. Meaning, you can use these babies for a long time. Also very convenient when you are traveling with just a carry-on bag. Best thing, they smell amazing! Buy them here!

Ziplock bags
Some say they are lifesavers. I tend to agree. About 50 ziplock bags cost about one euro at your local supermarket, but their value while traveling is priceless. It’s an easy way to categorize and keep you stuff together (remember those little somethings). Also, they protect your bag from (potentially) leaking liquids.

Bag-in-bag
We all know what our suitcases or backpacks look like after two days (or even less): a total mess! Clothes everywhere, you never seem to be able to locate that one awesome pair of shorts. Fear no more, the solution is here! Bag-in-bags give you the opportunity to organize your stuff and keep it neat for the remainder of your travels. There are several shops where you can buy these (some even in nice, bright colors), I got mine at Decathlon for a very backpacker-friendly price. Since i didn’t listen to the advise to dump half of my belongings, these bags help me stay sane.

Skin so Soft
Nobody likes mosquito’s, period. But when you are traveling to a tropical country you have to be extra aware to not get bitten by those little buggers. Tropical diseases like Dengue, Malaria and Zika are easily transferred by mosquito’s. Many people use insect repellent with DEET in it, but here is the thing, DEET is really bad for your skin. It doesn’t really smell good either. I discovered a bottle of Skin so Soft from Avon. A dry oil spray that hydrates your skin, and even better, keeps the mosquito’s away! That’s what I call a win-win situation (not for the mozzies).

Lifesaver Source

Proof Of Onward Travel
Last but not least: if you are going on a multiple country trip, make sure to check if your airline requires Proof Of Onward Travel. Say what? Yes, proof that you are indeed leaving the country you are flying into. Otherwise, you risk being denied access to your flight. This is not a commonly known requirement, which is very odd if you ask me. Not all airlines ask for it, but ours (Qatar airways) sure did. Luckily I booked a cheap train ticket from Vietnam to Cambodia to proof that I was indeed ‘ traveling onward’. Another solution is ‘renting’ a ticket. You can do this at FlyOnward and it costs about 10 to 17 euro. www.flyonward.com

Now you are ready to conquer that itch yourself, in a comfortable way. If you have any essential tips, do tell!

Love from Vietnam,

Jill

*Jill is one of our guest bloggers living in Amsterdam (@jillgwendolyn) where she works as a content manager for a digital agency. She’s Crazy about traveling and has spend her studies in New Zealand . You can read a new article from Jill in every 3rd week of the month! Jill is currently traveling through south East Asia.

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