So, Spring. We meet again!

Sunshine, flowers, birds singing, sugar, spice, and everything nice.. Wait, I may have gotten lost there for a minute, where was I? Ah yes, Spring is here! And though I am a huge fan of winter for obvious reasons, the beautiful snow, building snowmen, drinking hot chocolate in front of a fire, spring does have it's upsides. The weather for one, the sun comes out of hibernation and brings with it nice opportunities like romantic walks or the chance to go on a photography adventure around the city without needing 10 layers of clothing to prevent freezing, and so on.
Everyone celebrates the arrival of spring in their own way depending on their customs and traditions. Depending on where you are today you could celebrate by going swimming at midnight, or if you happen to be in Romania there's the traditional mărțişor. One of the oldest customs in Romania is gifting a mărțişor, usually a small pin like medallion paired with red & white strings. Also part of this years tradition is the cold apparently. Seems the weather around here hasn't gotten the news that it's time for the rain to go into hibernation. Spring also means more beautiful flowers. Just think of all the tulips, lilacs, hyacinth and peonies, oh the lovely peonies. Anyway, tell me some of your traditions, how do you spend the first day of spring? What are your tips for a getting spring started the right way?

Wherever you are and however you decide to celebrate this day, make sure you have fun and enjoy this lovely day. Let's kick today off with some dancing, with an assist from Brandon Flowers - Still Want You . Now get on your feet and get to dancing.

Geek out!

Valentine's Day Aftermath

Tulips and coffee sound perfect to me.

Well, here it is. Monday morning, the 15th of February, also known as the day after Valentine's day. This day has become one of the most popular and commercially profitable days of the year. Advertisers unite to create some of the most heart warming and tear-jerking commercials, that advertise the importance of getting the perfect gift, making the right restaurant reservation and all the other details that make up the perfect valentine's day celebration. They have infiltrated everything, starting with the flowers and ending with the clothes you wear. 

Now you might say: well wait a minute, aren't you being a bit harsh? Or cynical?
All I can say is, in my eyes this isn't a real holiday. Not in the traditional way at least. It just makes people crazy, puts unwanted pressure on relationships and, with the help of the formerly mentioned advertisers, creates unrealistic expectations.
I mean come on, people nowadays will not be happy with just getting some beautiful flowers unless they have a hidden Tiffany box in the bouquet. Limits have to be pushed and new ones created. What's next? Buying a puppy that delivers the flower bouquet with the hidden Tiffany box?
Celebrating love should be simple, classic and elegant. Not this over the top circus like event. But then again, that's just my opinion. Though, I have to give it up to the marketing world, they sure created a massively productive beast turning Valentine's day into a brand that dominates the film and business industry while taking over the online world for a few days a year.

There are of course the people that chose to celebrate in a more modest way, Netflix and food! Flowers are always welcome of course. Yep, you guessed it, that's how this blogger spent last Sunday and I have to say, it was like a mini vacation and I loved every minute of it. Let me know what your thoughts are on this beloved holiday and how you spent it. Gear up for a new week with some good reading materials and coffee of course. 

Geek out! 

Christmaholics season

Christmas magic.

'Tis the season to be happy! Best time of the year is, hands down, Christmas. There's something about this holiday that brings out the best in everyone. All the foolish grudges are put aside, friends you rarely see come visiting and family you usually avoid, for one reason or another, is together in one place. And you're happy about it. Magical time of the year indeed.
It's not just about the presents, and as we get older I think we realise that more and more. You know how when you were little you always wanted all the new toys and sweets and whatever else you thought you couldn't live without. Now, it's more about the things you can't buy. Don't get me wrong, I love gifts, but I think time spent with people who love you or seeing someone that really needs it happy, well those things are somehow better than any present.
I love spending the day at home getting everything ready for Christmas dinner. I think everyone has their own traditions and small things that make this day special to them. Mine of course all involve the usual, family time, cooking with mom, spending time with my dad, skyping with my sister, tons of coffee to get through all of it. Ha ha.
Then there's also the best part, you're home with no other plans, so you can say, do all those things while wearing your comfy onesie and fluffy socks. Or is that just me? Oh well, being a rambling geek in a onesie with fluffy socks is perfectly normal, or so I hope. At least on Christmas it is.
I hope everyone has the best time and spends it the right way, with their loved ones and a delicious cup of coffee. Though, maybe some will exchange that for eggnog? Have a good one!
Geek out.

Case of the monday scarries

First Christmas gift this year.
Love the coffee candle! ♥

I believe Shakespeare said it best when he said: "to sleep or not to sleep". No wait, that sounds wrong. Sorry, I haven't had my coffee yet. Anyway you know how Sundays you say you are going to go to sleep early so you are well rested and a functional person on Monday? Yeah, I had that plan last night, so obviously I watched movies until 2AM. So this morning was all about changing my mind over and over again, and as if the weather and the fact that it's Monday wasn't enough, my bed was giving me a hard time. Trying to trick me with offering me sleep and fuzzy blankets.
Long story short, I got out of bed and braved the cold Monday morning air, not without my comfy Christmas sweater of course. The really good news is there's only 3 days left till Christmas! Does everyone have all their gifts bought and wrapped? Mine are all under the tree or safely hidden away in the closet. (That's normal, right?)

I love how the city and all the buildings get Christmafied (still not sure that's a real word), all the pretty decorations and the shiny lights, they just make me love the holidays even more. 

You know what I hate though? Christmas shopping, when you go looking for presents and you half way know what you want and half way don't? Then there's all those people, I mean seriously? I honestly believe people multiply during the holiday season, I mean I never see that many people in one place, like ever? Where do they all come from? Have they been here all along? It's all just so confusing and tiring and loud. The part I do love is wrapping the presents, I have this tradition with my dad, we always wrap the presents together, he mostly does all the work though (I'm not the best wrapper, but I make a good wrapper-helper, wrapping intern?). It's one of my favourite holiday traditions. 

What are some of your favourite holiday traditions? I hope they somehow involve coffee and family and fun! 

Geek out!