MY PINK SUITCASE

Can you believe it? Only two more weeks to go... Zakynthos here I come! That also means high time to start packing my suitcase! Which brings me to my subject for today.
A portable often rectangular case with a handle and a  lid, used for carrying clothes and other personal possessions while traveling. Sounds familiar? ;-)
I've had many suitcases in my life. Mainly for traveling between my student apartment in Groningen, my parents house on the weekends and my boyfriends house for date nights. But those suitcases were never quite as lovely as this beautiful pink suitcase that I got from my parents for my birthday in December. I know, quite a long time ago but I haven't had an occasion to get it out from our store room and into the sunlight.
Until now...

Let's just go...

Don't worry if these photographs make you think I'm gonna pack light for a change. I'm not sick. I'm still me. Because even though it may not look like it now, I'm gonna stuff this suitcase full! Ever seen a photo or video of a person who has to sit on his or her knees on top of the luggage to get the zipper or clips to close? Yep, that's me! I'm also the girl who's googling "How to fit more stuff in your suitcase". I'm such a goof, haha.

My new four-wheel drive a.k.a. 'a Spinner'

In 14 days I'm hopping on a plane to Zakynthos. All by myself. With this pink suitcase by my side. Since I'm going away for quite some time I'm gonna have to bring quite a few things with me. It's not just clothes, it's medicines, it's electronics, it's good pairs of shoes (yes plural). All of that needs a safe way to be transported to Greece and back home when the time comes. This suitcase is not only pink (what's not to love?) but also really big and sturdy. All and all I think this one is really worth sharing with my dear readers since the best season for traveling is just around the corner!

On travel days we wear pink!

A suitcase in my favorite color. Call it pink, rose gold, mauve... it's a pretty suitcase that's what it is! Besides the fact that I absolutely adore this color, it's also very convenient to have one in a color that stands out from the crowd. Let's face it: most suitcases and trolleys are Plain Janes with their black, grey or blue exterior. I don't have to worry about finding mine on the conveyor belt!

By now you can guess what my fave color is...

The sizing of this one is also pretty decent: it has room for up to 113 L, weighs 4,8 kg and is 76,5 x 52,5 x 31 (+5) cm. The +5 cm is because you can actually make it bigger with one simple move. Handy for when you bought all kinds of nice souvenirs and you want to bring them back home to your friends and family but you don't want to leave any of your own stuff behind. By opening the zipper you recreate more space. Winning!

Travel chic

If you have any travel related or packing tips for me I would love to know. Leave me a comment down below or go to my Instagram @marjoleinevelien and say hi! :-)

RIDICULOUSLY GOOD ORGANIC RAW CHOCOLATES

On this beautiful Sunday morning I'm sitting on the couch with my laptop and a cup of green tea by my side. Yesterday afternoon I took photos for this article and I'm finishing the accompanying text right now. This blog post is a little bit different than my usual food related pieces. Normally I write my own vegetarian recipes but today I share something that I feel is too good to keep to myself. It's not even a recipe but it's about something I know almost everyone enjoys. Let me give you a hint: it's brown, it's sweet and it's made from cocoa...

A perfect gift for your mom or one of your girlfriends

Chocolate! I came across a new product when I visited the National Health Fair in February. One of the first stalls I encountered was that of the brand Ridiculously Good. I really like what the founders of Ridiculously Good stand for: to let everyone enjoy a delicious chocolate snack, without having to feel guilty about it! How can anyone walk past a place where they hand out free chocolates? (the heart wants what it wants...) After just one bite, I was literally sold and I bought two boxes of chocolates to take home with me. Let's take a look at what I got...

Creamy Coconut and Rich Almond & Date chocolates

I love chocolate, cute packaging and supporting smaller brands. And I love it even more that this brand is founded by two Dutchies on a mission. I bought two different flavours: Creamy Coconut and Rich Almond & Date. For two rectangular boxes I paid €4,60. One box contains two big bonbon-like candybars. It is not a cheap product but I wanted to try and see if I thought it was worth paying for an organic and fair piece of chocolate, developed in the Netherlands.

The little rectangular box is too cute

The packaging is beautiful. The little cardboard box is printed with beautiful ornate letters and dreamy colors. This is what I want all gifts to look like. It is perfect to give to your mother, friend or special someone.

Ridiculously Good chocolates are made from cocoa beans from Ecuador that are burned at low temperatures keeping most of the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Certified organic, 100% natural, free of refined sugar, gluten, lactose, aspartame, dyes, preservatives and other unnecessary additives. Sounds good right?! Another thing I'm happy to know is that these chocolates are produced and packed by a sheltered workshop in the Netherlands. This way a chocolate company is providing jobs for people.

Honestly such a tasty treat!

The taste is really good and distinct. The Creamy Coconut truly tastes like a better version of the well known Bounty. Rich Almond & Date has little pieces of both ingredients that give your bonbon a bit of crunch. I really enjoyed trying both flavours. As the Dutch say, like an angel pisses on your tongue ;-).
All in all, these delicious chocolates are a bit on the expensive side but by buying from this company you support a brand that wants what's best for the world and the people who live on it.

For more information you can go to their website http://ridiculously-good.com/