Wacky Winter Sports Part 2

This is my second part of the wacky winter sports collection. It is amazing what people can create even though it is very dangerous. You have never even thought that this might be a sport but as strange as it is, people compete in these disciplines.

6. Skijoring - this sports is a hundred years old and it began as a way for the people to travel during long winters. Nowadays, skiers harnesss themselves to dogs, horses or motor vehicles and compete in skijoring competitions in the US.

Ice Yachting/antalik

7. Ice Yachting - why do you have to be limited by the winter. Even if the lake is frozen, you can still yacht without any problems. However, in this sport there are slight changes. The modern ice yachts are a combination between a sail boat and a large pair of ice skates. This sport is taken very seriously and there are even ice yachting clubs which organize annual races.

8. Snow Kayaking - the kayak is like a sled and the paddle allows for more control. This sports can be written down as one of the extreme sports but few resorts allow for it. The contestants race with incredibly high speeds. The difficult part - having the kayak up in the mountain.

9. Snowscooting - these are ski bikes but feels like snowboarding. This is a very popular sport in France and becoming so in America.

10. Polar bear swimming - it is just what you might need to awaken your senses during the winter season. Jump into the nearest frozen pond and tadaaa. Of course, the safest thing is a quick dip followed by a hot cup of cocoa or coffee.

Wacky Winter Sports Part 1

If you have ever wondered how creative can people be… well, after my two weekly posts you will wonder no more. Some people have found that skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, hockey or those quite ordinary sports are dull for their adrenalin expectations. Those people might be first – big enthusiasts and second – very eager to try something totally out of the box. Check out the wackiest winter sports I have ever heard of   

1. Ice Diving – drink your hot tea and dive into the freezing water. The cold cannot stop some people from practicing their favourite diving sport and apparently it works. This sport requires special training and needless to say it is very dangerous. Imagine having to enter and exit from a single point!?!

2. Snow Polo – everything is almost like the regular polo game but it is played on a snow-packed arena, the ball is larger and in bright red color to accommodate the snowy conditions.

3. Speed flying – skiing and skydiving at the same time sounds promising. However, it is one of the most extreme sports and naturally most dangerous ones. Basucally, a person is dropped off by a helicopter on top of a mountain where he skies & flies down.

4. Ice Climbing – Good news for the rock climber – you don’t have to go to the fake climbing walls during the winter anymore. This goes with a specialized equipment and tools.

5. Shovel Racing – it is actually not a very new sport because it began in 1970s when the ski lift operators were looking for a quick way to get down the slopes ones the lift closed. Today, this a “normal” sport and contestants can reach speeds up to 60 mph.

 To be continued...

5 things I love about skiing

The winter here is very much over but I would love to remember why I love it so much and why skiing is my favourite sport. This post is devoted to things I love about skiing.

Bodrost

1. The preparation for the big day/big week of skiing is my top favourite. Trying my equipment from last year and imagining being on the slopes when you know that this will happen very soon. Anticipation is the best thing!

2. The morning before you go up high in the slopes. You are all prepared and you eagerly want to start skiing but there is a huge line for the lift. The ski booths make it difficult for you to walk. You start sweating waiting on that line. It sounds like the worst experience but actually it is not. After this is over you have a even greater satisfaction of finally being on the top of the mountain.

3. The mountains, the clean air, the smell of cold and the chimneys, the snow, its magical sparkle when the sun is shining, the view from up top - it creates a sense of greatness, it gives you the best relaxation, even better than a good massage...at least for me. I love the tranquility of the mountain, when you hear nothing but the sound of ski.

4. The soreness in your muscles after a whole day of non-stop skiing. It is more of a happiness than soreness. It is the memory that you have skied that makes you satisfied with yourself and you pay no attention to the soreness.

5. The best thing about skiing is taking of the extremely uncomfortable, tight ski booths. If you have not skied in your life, you will never understand it. Every skier appreciates the most exactly this moment after his/her feet have been tightened in those booths for 8 hours.

Different ways to wear your scarf

Hello there everyone! This time I am also devoting my post to the girls.Maybe I was inspired by the last two fashion posts I wrote last week, I started researching more on the topic. That is how I found this very interesting article with different ways to wear your scarf which I am sure girls will find more interesting than guys. I am eager to share with you my top favourite knots.

Winter Scarves/Pinterest

1. My first top knot is called the French Knot. This is basically done by folding the scarf in half and putting it around the shoulders. Then take one loose end piece and pull it over and under the scarf loop. Do the same with the second end piece. The result is fantastic!

2. The knotted necklace - you have to wrap the scarf behind your neck and then take one end and wrap it around your hand. Then, pull it through to make a loose knot and take the other scarf end and pull it through the side knot which will go under the knot loop and then over it. Sounds more difficult than it actually is.

3. The necklace - my all time favourite. No matter of the season, I love to do it with all my scarves and this is probably the easiest knot. Just fold the scarf in half, then grab the diagonal ends and knot them together. Put it over your neck and then twist one or two times depending on the length of the scarf.

4. The double sided twist - this is also a very interesting knot. Put two of your favourite scarves back to back and then loop them around your neck. The result: one colourful new scarf.

5. The cozy neck wrap - again very easy knot. Just take a longer scarf and loop it twice around your neck. Tie the ends in a half knot and tuck them up under the scarf loops.

Those were my favourite scarf knots. Try them, I am sure you will like them.

Voala!

Cozy and cute wintery outlooks Part 2

I will continue with my advice on ladies' winter outfits in this post. There are so many ways in which you can mix outfits, layer your clothing, add accessories and make yourself more noticeable among the other women.

Source: seventeen

5. Emphasize on the jeans. What does this mean? Well, keep your dark grey blouse, your black leather jacket and the tough boots that everyone loves but choose to wear them with brighter jeans - green, blue, light grey. This will soften your look a touch.

Source: seventeen

6. Balance boxy with fitted. The classic boxy coat that everyone has in their wardrobe with fitted bottoms - either jeans or leggings - is very important with this outlook. Go for the skinny jeans and a lean look.

Source" pinterest

7. The hat is a very important finish touch accessory. It should never be the same colour as the coat or the purse as it will lose its beauty. The hats will look gorgeous on your head in independent colour that matches your overall outlook.


8. Neutrals are the essence of winter collections. How can you liven up those colors? Again, accessories. use a scarf whenever possible. You can make your dull black coat much more fascinating with a graphic scarf on top of it. You can also, emphasize on more colourful booths. The best thing about that is that you can choose where to put the accent of your outfit. There is no best way, just experimenting and playing with your clothes.

Source: seventeen

Have fun while you are trying all these winter outfit ideas!

Cozy and cute wintery outlooks Part 1

Winter is the month when you do not care about anything else but stay warm. Well, yes,ladies layering those clothes definitely helps you stay warm and when done with taste, it looks very interesting and stylish. I will share with you in two posts with 8 different ways how to combine your winter outfit for a casual daily outlook. Sorry for the boys but these posts are going to be directed to the female audience.

Source: pinterest

1. Cardigans or cardi-coats are a very stylish finish of your outfit. They are perfect in many ways as you can snuggle up in them to stay warm but keep the layering style, combining them with a t-shirt or a top, jeans, skirts or even with a dress. The outcome: a cozy wintery outlook!

Source: pinterest

2. Scarfs!! These are probably the most important element of a woman's outfit. I love winter just because I can wear all of my scarf and I can say that I feel almost naked if I don't have one around my neck. Scarfs are a great way to highlight your outfit and liven up the layers. The secret is to use simple solid colours for your outfit and emphasize on a bright, maybe summery scarf.

Source: pinterest

3. Sweater over shirt combo - probably one of my favourite mixes. It is more of a business outfit because it makes you look more strict and serious. This kind of combo goes with everything but if you want to acheive the business type outfit in those chilly months, leave the jeans back in the wardrobe.

4. Brighten up your outfit! Summer is over but this does not mean your winter clothes should be only in grey and black. Combine your grey sweater with a bright-coloured blazer and any other brighter accessories. You will stand out and you will look cute.

Source: pinterest

I hope you enjoyed my advices, I will post more in the next post...

Northern Lights

The North Pole is the place where you can see the Northern Lights almost every night. Of course, they can be seen from many place around the world but they are so rare.

The Northern Lights have the scientific name - aurora borealis if seen on the North Pole and aurora australis if seen on the South Pole. They are the most magnificent wonder of the nature.

Red aurora/ Pinterest

Scientifically described the North Lights occur when gaseous particles collide causing the colorful displays on the sky. In other words, when charged particles from the sun's solar wind collide with the Earth's magnetic field. The effective colors that we see depend on the gas involved in the oxygen and nitrogen particles mix and the height at which the reaction is happening.

All the colors that are usually visible are green, brownish-red, blue and red, purple, orange.The lights can produce not only color but also sound for those close enough to hear them. What is interesting is that even in ancient times people have had the chance to observe those amazing lights and draw them in caves (e.g there are some drawing found in a cave in France). Some people even believed that they are spirits of animals.

Pretty Northern Lights/ Source: Google

The best months to see the Lights are between April and October or when there is a solar storm.

When the collision of the gaseous particles is too strong, the Lights can be seen as far as New Orleans and Texas.
The Northern Lights are the most incredible wonder that Nature can give us!

Ice Hotels

The coldest hotels ever

If you have ever watched the movie Frozen, you would probably remember the ice castle that Elza built with her powers. Well, hold on, ice castles can be built without magic, too. And there is not just one around the world. These castles are built to be hotels every year, existing for a few months. The trend started in 1989 in Sweden – the first ice hotel in the world.

First Ice Hotel in Sweden/ Source Wikipedia

 Do not wonder how are the guests of the hotels surviving. Everything is thought through. The beds are warm and comfortable, with reindeer fur, the toilets and showers, however, are in a building next door. The restaurants are equipped with local food. For example, in Kirkenes Snow Hotel in Norway, they serve Arctic food. 

Snow decoration in a bedroom/Source: Wikipedia

What is interesting that these hotels are build form scratch every year. This hotels are a work of art, a fascinating world of ice, light and sound. There are snow decorations on the walls and ice sculptures in every room. These rooms are usually individually decorated by ice artists from Finland and Japan. The Kirkenes Snow Hotel offers also a special dinner prepared on an open fire and sauna for the visitors before and after their stay.

You do not have to go all the way to Norway to visit such an amazing hotel. Romania also built their first ice hotel back in 2006. High up in the Fagaras Mountains, the hotel is accessible only by a cable car but it offers everything the guests would need. Bedding, furs, special sleeping bags, bathroom facitlities nearby, etc. 

Romanian Ice Hotel/ Source: wikipedia

Ice hotels look like they have jumped out of a Disney Movie... a must see!