My favourite things in May

I am sorry there is so little going on here at the moment. I promise this will change very soon (the blog's relaunch is finally about to happen – stay tuned!). You might think that starting a freelancer career will give you enough time for blogging, but since I do not work as a fulltime-blogger my jobs keep me pretty busy. And there is, of course, another reason why I do not have much free time to blog. If you follow me on Instagram you will have read about it (wink wink). 

But let's start with my favourite things in May! 

1. Cherry blossoms in full bloom

Number one will have to be the abundance of blossoms you can see everywhere now that spring is in full bloom and it isn't very long (we hope) until summer. Every year I am newly gobsmacked and captivated by the fluffy pink and white wonders the trees turn into. I am sad to see them go – but then again this means we're moving towards summer.

2. Femtastics

Here's the reason why I have been neglecting this blog a little bit lately: I am starting a new digital magazine together with two friends/colleagues. It is called Femtastics and it is due to launch on Monday! Naturally, we are super excited, a little nervous and very busy right now. Please follow us on Instagram and make sure to visit our website on Monday!   

3. Tiny tri-coloured ear stud

You know I am the worst magpie and an ardent jewellery collector. This tiny three-dot-ear-stud is just perfect because it goes so well with my other ear studs – and it's so minimalist and cool. It was made by Stefanie Sheehan, a jewellery designer from New York.

4. Menorca sandals

I wear my Espadrilles as soon as the sun puts in an appearance and the temperatures rise above 15 degrees, because they remind me of holidays in France and Italy and bring a little bit of that "La dolce vita" feeling into everyday life. And these Menorca sandals do the same, while providing a sole that's a bit thicker and more suited for asphaltic roads. I love the classic version by Avarcaria. These Avarcas are handmade by the Spanish family-owned company RIA and the soles are made from recycled tires.

5. Deliciously Ella's healthy granola

I am a big fan of Ella's blog and pre-ordered her cookbook as soon as I read about it. I love experimenting with vegan, clean eating recipes and I soon got hooked on Ella's healthy granola. I have re-made it several times since I got the book and I eat it almost every morning with my oats, chia seeds and fruit. You have to try it!

6. New same old same old

No matter how much fun it is to play around with new trends, shapes and materials, there are some items which will always stay in your wardrobe and make you feel comfortable. I own five or six Breton shirts and never tire of wearing them. I know that this striped T-Shirt by Cake and Tee will become a new wardrobe staple (did you notice the little print that says "Hello"?).

7. Beautiful toothpaste

I always fall for products that make my bathroom/kitchen/office look prettier (good packaging design  is definitely a sales argument for me). I love that the design of Couto toothpaste still resembles its original look from 1932. But why change something if it's so successful and convincing? 

8. Mini Maple tree

I wish I lived closer to my parents' garden and the woods. Whenever I visit them I cannot wait to see the garden and go for a run or bike tour around the forest. Of course a backyard garden or balcony in the city can never be a substitute, but it still makes me happy to have miniature trees like this little maple tree on my balcony. 

Interior inspiration for this summer

This is why I am so addicted to Pinterest – you always find so much inspiration for every aspect of life. Lately I've been collecting inspo-photos for my home (once again). I'd love to add some more old wood and more natural materials like woven baskets and rugs. I am also still working on my avocado and oak offshoots. I hope they'll grow soon, so I can put them in glass vases or plant them. Fingers crossed!

If I owned a summer house in a tropical place, this is what the floor and dining table would look like.

Yes to palms and tree offshoots in the house! 

Dream space.

Image sources here. 

Perfect basics

I have found a new uniform for spring. Black skinny jeans and ankle boots are on hold, vintage Levi's and pointed flats have taken over for now. I have already posted my new ballet flats in my favourite things in April – they make the most simple outfits look more exciting. If the weather wasn't so changeful, I'd wear them every day. 

Here, I'm wearing them with my currently favourite basics: my vintage Levi's 501 jeans (which I found on eBay), a black silk blouse by andotherstories, and my Saint Laurent sac de jour. My baby blue sunglasses are by andotherstories, too. 

My favourite things in April

I would like to introduce a new category to Rosy Cheeks. Since I always come across so many things that make me happy – when travelling, through my work, when I browse the internet, ... – I thought I should't just post them on Instagram or Pinterest but give them their own little section on my blog. So from now on, I will share my favourite things that I have (re)discovered or currently enjoy with you every month. 

1. Glitter iPhone case

I am slightly embarrassed about just how excited I can get over cute iPhone adornment. When it was still possible to attach little pendants on your phone, I used to carry around a whole bunch of (mostly Japanese) phone charms. Now I only switch my phone case on a regular basis (and enjoy phone stickers quite a lot). My newest case: this one with glitter and stars floating around in liquid that I found on eBay. It makes me so happy! 

2. Kilim cushions

When in Mexico, I loved the patterned cushions you could find everywhere, but I thought most of them were somewhat too colourful for my own home. I found these Turkish Kilim cushions on Etsy. Now I can't decide whether I want them on the balcony, in the hallway or in my dining room - they look good everywhere. 

3. Mexican skull

Here's something I couldn't leave in Tulúm: one of the many many brightly painted "Día de los Muertos" skulls. It's spreading Mexican vibes in my home now. 

4. Ballet flats by Next

The perfect flats for this spring! Since the luxury version by Aquazurra was sold out almost everywhere – and wasn't within my budget this month –, I was thrilled to find these very similar flats by Next. I love wearing them with my vintage Levi's 501. You can get them here, for example.

5. Bangles

I wear my bangles from Monica Vinader and Sophie by Sophie pretty much every day. Last week I got a new addition that looks great together with them: this minimalist bangle by Madeleine Issing, a designer from Hamburg. (The fourth piece in the photo is a Saami bracelet from Sweden). 

6. Shaping body lotion by mio skincare

Especially after my workouts I love the feeling of a shaping body lotion that stimulates the body's circulation. I have tried many different products, but this one by mio skincare is really special. You can actually feel its effects as soon as you have applied it, kind of as if somebody was scrubbing your body with ice cubes. And, honestly, I think it has a tightening effect on my legs and arms.

Tulúm Travel Diary - Part 2

In the first part of my travel diary about Tulúm I shared some general information and advice about what to see and do in the area. As I promised, this second part will deal with hotels and restaurants. I will let you know where we stayed – four different hotels in total – and which ones among the many places to eat and drink you can find in Tulúm were our favourites.

As I have already said, even the most beautiful hotels in Tulúm will have their "rustic" sides, meaning mosquitos, little geckos in the bathroom, possibly sea water from the shower and maybe not 24 hours of electricity. But none of these things lessened how happy we felt on this beautiful stretch of the Caribbean coast.

Click on the images to see them larger.

Our beautiful ocean view Casita at Papaya Playa Project.

Papaya Playa Project spreading good vibes.

After-Yoga breakfast at Papaya Playa Project.

Dinner at Tulúm's most famous restaurant: Hartwood (in the photos: our appetizer, a crunchy salad, and dessert, lemon cheesecake). 

Mezcal Cocktails (and later dinner) at Gitano. I am wearing a tunic by Caroline Blomst for Esprit, sandals by EMU and handmade clutch (made by my mother).

Relaxing at Hemingway.

Posada Margherita – equally gorgeous during the day as at night.

Bikini Bootcamp at Amansala Resort.

Mexican lunch at Tacolum.

Perfectly happy at beautiful Casa Violeta.

The jungle shower in our beach front cabana.

Breakfast at Casa Violeta: whole grain pancakes with cacao nibs and chia.

Amazing dresses and accessories at Casa Violeta's boutique.

Dresses in the above photos: borrowed from Casa Violeta's boutique.

Where we stayed:

• Papaya Playa Project: this hotel is one of the first on Tulúm's seemingly endless beach when you come to the beach road from Tulúm pueblo. It covers a huge area and consists of many different smaller or bigger cabanas and little houses, a beach bar and restaurant, a spa and yoga area. We spent our first night in a rustic beach front cabana and then switched to a "new casita". If you can, definitely go for the latter - they are divine! You'll have your own little rooftop terrace and front porch overlooking the beach. Which means (if, like us, you wake up really early in the morning) you can watch the sun rise over the ocean from your bed. Before you head to breakfast, make sure to join a yoga session at least once - a very special experience on the beach! PPP also has a very cool beach restaurant and bar, which is great for lunch, cocktails or dinner. They regularly have DJ guests and host beach parties. 
• Hemingway: our second hotel, a little further up the beach. Hemingway has two different types of rooms: huts on the beach and huts a little further away from the beach in the "Hemingway Jungle Lodge". I loved the beach beds and hammocks here so much that I spent a lot of time just lying on the beach and reading my book. The restaurant at Hemingway is Italian and very good. 
• Amansala: If you want to combine your holiday on a Caribbean beach with a little health and fitness boost, I recommend you join Amansala's "Bikini Bootcamp". I got the chance to try it out for two days and I enjoyed it a lot. You'll have a daily changing schedule of workouts, yoga, meditation and group excursions, and also the (healthy) meals will be scheduled. Of course it's up to you how strict you take the schedule and how many classes you join each day. If you're up for it, you can start your day with a "coconut workout" on the beach. Believe me, with a backdrop as dreamy as Tulúm's beach, it's a lot easier to work on your muscles before breakfast. I especially loved Kickboxing and Zumba with their trainer Kate – and, saying that, I am usually not a "Zumba person" at all. 
• Casa Violeta: This beautiful little spot lies a bit further up the beach road, in the slightly more exclusive area of Tulúm. I must say, I loved this stretch of the beach the most. Here, the water looked even more turquoise and the sand even whiter – it made you want to run into the ocean and plash about in the water immediately. The hotel and its restaurant are gorgeous. There's a little enchanted-looking garden, a beautiful boutique and the cabanas are very tasteful, too. Even though all rooms are very close to the beach, I would still recommend to get one which is right on the beach, in order to make your experience perfect. Oh, by the way, you absolutely must try their iced coffee with milk and the chocolate truffles for dessert (you can have a very light lunch of humus and quinoa to balance it). 

Where to eat and drink:

• Hartwood: If you're going to Tulúm, you will most probably have heard of this restaurant before you get there. Almost all travel features about Tulúm include it (the New York Times has written a good piece on it which is worth reading). And, what can I say, once you've been here for dinner, you will understand why. If you manage to get a table, that is. Before coming to Tulúm I had heard that Hartwood did not take reservations, but later we found out that this is no longer true. If you want a table in the evening, you have to line up in front of the restaurant to make a reservation between 2 or 3 in the afternoon. That's how it works. When we went, we were lucky and got a table at the bar (without a reservation). The food was delicious! Try the beetroot and corn ice cream. Also, everybody says the fish and pulpo are divine (but obviously, as a Vegetarian, I wouldn't know). 
• Posada Margherita: After a few days of Nachos, Tacos and Salsa we started to crave Italian food (ironically, it feels the most like home). Posada Margherita is the place to go. The restaurant is stunningly designed (especially in the evening with a hundred candles burning in its garden) and the food and drinks were perfect! They also have a great juice bar - stop here when you're walking along the beach in the early afternoon. 
• Gitano: This place feels like a real restaurant experience. You can see its pink neon logo glowing in the green of the jungle, and when you come in, you will see a huge disco ball dangling between the palm leaves. Gitano has great Caribbean food and tasty Mezcal cocktails.
• Mateos: If you want good Mexican food, Mateos is your place. I loved their vegetarian Burritos and home made Nachos, and they have great juices, smoothies, shakes and Mexican beers. Everything was so good! A must-try! In the evening, you can have a drink on their sunset lounge before dinner. 
• Restaurare: A Vegetarian/Vegan restaurant in Tulúm. I am still surprised I was able to convince my boyfriend to go here for dinner one night. And, you know what, we both loved the food. Sweet potatoes, beetroot, quinoa, avocado, beans, veggie chips, ... it was food heaven!
• La Nave: This Italien restaurant is located in Tulúm pueblo. As I said in part one of my travel diary, you must have dinner in Tulúm town at least once to experience its atmosphere and crowd – and to see the difference in prices between beach and town firsthand. The food (homemade pasta, pizza, fish, ...) at La Nave is amazing and the sizes of the meals are huge. 

Of course there are a lot more places to discover in Tulúm, this was just a little collection of my favorite places. I hope you've enjoyed it.

All photos taken by myself with the Sony RX100 III Cybershot (or my iPhone).