Swedish pancakes

Black Friday

This weekend has been pretty productive thus far. Friday night I had a little quality time with my bf, or as Swede's like to say  "fredagsmys" (Friday cozy) with some delicious kebab pizza and watched the movie "Good Will Hunting." Great autumn movie by the way, I had never seen it before then. 

Pancake Saturday

I attempted to make Swedish pancakes, which nothing like American style thick and fluffy pancakes smothered in butter and maple syrup. Its very similiar to the French crepe actually, and Swedes typically eat it with "lingonsylt" which is a cranberry jam type thing. I ate mine with Smuckers Orange marmalade and Nutella. mmm. After, I planned my grocery list for this Thanksgiving feast I am hosting next week for my Swedish family (Thanksgiving post coming soon) I am also planning on doing something that was very dear to my childhood, arts and crafts!! Thanks to Pinterest, I have loads of adorable craft ideas for the kids to do on our Turkey day. (you'll see how those turn out later...but they involve pine cones, use your imagination!)

I have been trying to study and work on my school projects, but man...can procrastination be diagnosed as an illness? haha, I wish I had some kind of prescription to cure this thing, but in the mean time I finished my motivation letter to apply for an Exchange program to Austria! I am very pleased with letter, and even went the extra mile and made a nice banner at the top, an image of the city. :)

Welp, that was my day. Have you done anything productive today? I hope so. If not, here's a tip: write an old friend on Facebook, you know, that one you've been meaning to catch up with for a while? Yeah, that one, bet you'll feel glad you did. :) 

Natty natt allihopa!

Thursday in Gothenburg

First, Id like to say to you all Happy Thanksgiving! I won't be having any official thanksgiving feast until next week when my Swedish family will all be available.

Today I started my day very early 5:30am to get to my 8am lecture in Gothenburg city. It's not easy living so far out of town, but my bf and I are still looking everyday for a city apartment. Today I learned a new computer program called SPSS. It is a statistics-based program, which made me realize how long its been since I've studied math. SCARY!

After class was finally over I got the chance to check out the job fair happening next door at the School of Business. It was really cool, I got to network with some good companies, and got free goodies too! :)

Once that was done I met with my group for a current recruitment project we are working on for HRM course. When we were through I got to go to the gym and really relax. One of my favorite parts about my day was probably the walks in between tram rides and seeing all the new festive Christmas decorations popping up in town. Also, staying a few minutes after my group work to chat and just be silly with my friends. I am really starting to get comfortable here in Gothenburg, and I am thankful for all those who have supported me thus far to get where I am now. :)  What are you thankful for? Today's the day to think about that. 

Happy Thanksgiving allihopa!

"Green" culture.

I attended a lecture the other day in the School of Business. There was a guest lecturer named Björn Stigsson. He talked about how Generation Y is responsible for the future of this world. And how we need to plan, study, and take action to preserve this Earth. It was very inspiring and as a future HR manager, I will be incorporating this into my personal mission statement.


I love how Swede's take sustainability very seriously and as a personal obligation. Being "green" here is a cultural thing, and if you so much as throw away an aluminum can instead of recycling it, you will get many dirty looks and perhaps a lecture from your friends.

I hope to one day bring this "green" culture back to America, and spread it until it becomes a personal issue that people actually care about, not just a corporate issue that companies use to make themselves look responsible.

Life is too short: 10 ways to live your life right now.

Imagine you are on your way to hang out with some friends downtown and you get a flat tire. You pull over on the side of the busy highway and go to check it out. Then suddenly, a yellow Jeep that is not paying attention is trucking full speed ahead. You, unaware of the immense danger are checking your friends flat and trying to see how you can help fix it when suddenly, its dark.

Recently this very scenario happened to one of my dearest friends.He was unconscious in the hospital for about a 2 weeks and I am still receiving updates about him. This news was texted to me over iPhone Whatsapp Messenger all the way from Florida to me here in Sweden. It was devastating to hear. I cried for about two days straight, and had about 3 sleepless nights. All the while my boyfriend was incredibly supportive. Holding me close when I was whimpering in bed and even when he could barely keep his eyes open, if he heard me get upset in the night he would reach over and squeeze my hand tight. But all this emotion made me realize one thing. Life is so short. And what we all must realize, is that unlike our furry feline friends....we only have one life!

I have thought long and hard about what it is to truly live...and here are my top 10 tips to start living your life with purpose.

1. Don't argue over petty things. Forgive people, and do what is right. And please, just put away your pride. Having pride is useless, and will only hurt you in the end.


2. Be healthy. You only get one body. And if you plan on living a long life, remember that when you are young and impulsive (ie. tanning beds, plastic surgery, tattoos, piercings.)

3. Dress and look your best everyday. Why not be your best self? Not next year, right friggen now.

4. Get rid of negative people in your life. Anyone who makes you feel bad about yourself is NOT a friend. Drop them. Or if your in a bad relationship, get out. I experienced a year being in a mentally abusive relationship...trust me from experience, life goes on, and gets much much better. You have to give up to go up! I live by the quote, Go where you are celebrated, not tolerated."


5. Make a bucket list. And do it.

6. Save your money for something good. stop doing those impulse buys ladies, and get something you really value like a trip, or a good quality winter coat, or even a great gift to your mom or best friend. For everyday motivation to not buy that random top on sale, or that $5 Starbucks coffee, I read these budget blogs to keep me centered and focused. I think women have more an issue with this than men, but guys...you could learn how to cut your monthly spending by $400 or why it feels oh-so good to not spend your money! 


7. Laugh. My mother asked my boyfriend, "Out of all the beautiful Scandinavian girls you meet there, why did you pick my daughter?" I mortified, but curious to hear his answer. He replied, "She makes me laugh everyday." At first I was feeling like he just put me in the "not cute-but good personality" category...but then my mother said something profound. She smiled and replied, "Laughter is the very best thing to have with your partner. Physical beauty fades, but laughter and happiness is the beauty of life."


8. Help someone. With no hidden agenda of your own.

9. Learn something new. My friend that is in the hospital had fractured his skull and was in a coma which could have easily lead to brain damage, but he is recovering more and more everyday and slowly returning to his sharp-minded, witty self. I am so amazed with his mental progress. I truly believe this is because he is always learning new things and exercising his brain. He loves puzzles, music, painting, and he studies health medicine. I'd like to share with you why learning new things is so vital for your brain health. And I call dibs on the first game of Scrabble with you when you recover Kenny.

10. Remind yourself everyday how short life is. Watch the news, go to church, or even wear something like Buddhist worry beads. This little guy is a daily reminder that we might not have tomorrow, so live in the moment, take time for people, and absolutely do not worry. They come in all different colors for men and women, and it is a reminder to stay focused on what truly matters in life.

Hope you learned something, I know I do everyday.

Love,

Devin Rene

PS - Please keep my friend Kenny in your prayers.

Bringin sexy back.

Why not bring out your ultra sexy side this summer and do things to make you stand out...in a good way!

Me after just 15 minutes with velcro rollers!

A simple and easy way to get your look from flat and drab to voluminous and sexy is velcro hair rollers! I just bought my first set and let me tell you, it was worth every kronor! [Swedish money ;)]

Here is a good tutorial on how to get this look. 

Another perk with this look  is you feel super Glam when you're getting ready and doing
your makeup. Makes me feel like a Victoria's Secret Angel!

Another great way to feel great this summer is EXERCISE! I know, it sounds simple. But, it is so easy to put off those crunches or say you will go running another day...

but I have a secret weapon for you..

You need someone to hold you accountable! Or "accountabilibuddy" as I like to call it. Finding someones to work out with, and to push you is a fail-proof way to make sure you get the sexy body you want.

Or if you really just can't find anyone available, the next best thing is post it to your Facebook status or "check-in" at the gym before you actually arrive. That will hold you to your guns! Because...you wouldn't want to be a liar...right? ;)

I have become obsessed with Instagram and I just started following coldwarkidds. They basically post pictures of skinny chicks with great flats stomachs. Just browse through this album every time your walking into the gym and that will be immediate motivation, trust me.

 Coldwarkidds on Instagram!

Feel too lazy to do your hair or hit the gym? 

Then heres my last suggestion: Make healthy food choices this summer. Switch these simple items, and I know you will feel more energetic, healthier, and just sexier!

                                                                milk           non fat milk

                                                                soda          water

                                                                bread        lettuce

                                                                candy        fruit

                                                                chips         carrots or broccoli

                                                                 beef         chicken or fish

Enjoy everyone...and get your sexy back already!

How to get that "Summer" feel this season.

Here in Sweden it is basically the winter season for 7 months out of the year. So when the thermometer rises, and the sun comes out, you know you have to truly take advantage of this fabulous season.


I have come up with my favorite things to do to really get me 'in the mood' of summer. In two weeks I will be putting all these tips to the ultimate test when my boyfriend and I throw our "Summer Bash Party!"

1. Summer jams. I have found this one of kind site/iphone app that has already-made playlists. It is called  8 tracks. The cool thing about it is that you don't have to spend all afternoon searching artists, albums or even genres...you can search your mood! Such as study, party, cleaning, chill, summer, workout, etc. I love the playlist names too, make me giggle. One of my favorites atm is called "Sweat like a pig, look like a fox" helping me train for my half marathon. ;)

2. Dress the part. Here in Sweden, fashion is no joke. As soon as the sun shines for one day, everyone busts out their shorts, sandals, and "beachy" accessories. And if you want to catch this seasons feel, I suggest you do the same. Things that are super trendy right now are shorts, ombre (hair and clothes), wedge shoes, chunky jewelery, maxi dresses, and of course COLOR.

3. Sexy beach hair. Long or short, thin or thick, every girl has tricks to turn her girl next door look into a beach bombshell. One of my fav things to do is watch youtube tutorials. It's also really fun to laugh at the really outrageous girls on there, but mostly, its fun to be bold and try new hairstyles this season. Here are some seriously helpful tutorials:

beachy waves (skip to 1:17 if you can't be bothered with intro) 

big voluminous hair (using Velcro rollers)
&& don't worry if you have short hair, you can always get clip-in extensions for the summer look. this is me with mine, I absolutely love them for going out. And my bf thinks I look super sexy with long hair <3

4. Stay in the shade. Owning and sporting a pair of "Sunnies" that is in Aussie language, is a must this summer. I think there are two mandatory summer shades. Aviators, or ray-Ban style. Or you can have some fun and wear heart-shaped. 

5. A bronze tan. Now, I don't know why chicks think skin cancer is sexy, but I have gained a whole new respect for a healthy lifestyle here in Sweden. With that being said, a bronze tan CAN be achieved without slowly killing yourself in the tanning beds ladies. I recommend self tanning lotion and bronzer. there are plenty of brands out there, but if your looking for a suggestion I like Dove Summer Glow.



6. Get yourself a cold drink.  So I don't know about the rest of you, but I am obsessed with Pinterest. The reason I mention this is because I have gotten the most inspirational and fun recipes from this site. On cocktail I might be trying at my Bash is Nectarine Vodka Chillers, yum! Check out Pinterest, you won't regret it.

Girls night out. Swedish style.

Swedish girls say "Klackarna i taket," a Swedish phrase which translates to "heels hit the roof." This means that you're going to paint the town red and have a great time. And that is precisely what we did. ;)