• ABOUT
  • BLOG
    • Antibes, France
    • Austin, TX (USA)
    • Bath, England (U.K.)
    • Barcelona, Spain
    • Belgium
    • Carmel by the Sea, CA (USA)
    • Carmona, Spain
    • Cordoba, Spain
    • Czech Republic
    • Dallas, TX (USA)
    • Dubai (UAE)
    • Eze, France
    • Florence, Italy
    • Granada, Spain
    • Lagos, Nigeria
    • London
    • Los Angeles, CA (USA)
    • Miami, FL (USA)
    • Monaco
    • New Orleans, LA (USA)
    • New York City (USA)
    • Nice, France
    • Orlando, FL (USA)
    • Oxford, England (U.K.)
    • Paris, France
    • Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
    • Rome, Italy
    • Tivoli, Italy
    • San Diego, CA (USA)
    • San Francisco, CA (USA)
    • Santa Cruz, CA (USA)
    • Seville, Spain
    • Stonehenge
    • Washington D.C (USA)
    • Ville Franche Sur Mer
  • CONTACT US
Menu

THE SIMI EDIT

HOW TO TRAVEL WHILE WORKING FULL-TIME
  • ABOUT
  • BLOG
  • TST FOOTPRINT
    • Antibes, France
    • Austin, TX (USA)
    • Bath, England (U.K.)
    • Barcelona, Spain
    • Belgium
    • Carmel by the Sea, CA (USA)
    • Carmona, Spain
    • Cordoba, Spain
    • Czech Republic
    • Dallas, TX (USA)
    • Dubai (UAE)
    • Eze, France
    • Florence, Italy
    • Granada, Spain
    • Lagos, Nigeria
    • London
    • Los Angeles, CA (USA)
    • Miami, FL (USA)
    • Monaco
    • New Orleans, LA (USA)
    • New York City (USA)
    • Nice, France
    • Orlando, FL (USA)
    • Oxford, England (U.K.)
    • Paris, France
    • Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
    • Rome, Italy
    • Tivoli, Italy
    • San Diego, CA (USA)
    • San Francisco, CA (USA)
    • Santa Cruz, CA (USA)
    • Seville, Spain
    • Stonehenge
    • Washington D.C (USA)
    • Ville Franche Sur Mer
  • CONTACT US
                                                                                                                    Image via    here

                                                                                                                    Image via here

My Goals for 2015 ...

January 13, 2015

I am not a fan of resolutions - the concept and idea of them just seem counter intuitive. The start of a new year does not seem like the time to beat down on one's self and pinpoint the flaws - I think that is part of why resolutions always seem to fail (for me at least). I like to have a positive attitude about the new year and I set goals around learning and experiencing new things that help me grow as a person. I have been able to follow through on those goals because they were made from a place of "I want to improve/gain a skill" versus "I am complete rubbish at XYZ and must change". 

In the last month of 2014 and since the beginning of the year, I have really been thinking about some goals for this year, things I hope to accomplish. I started out with an insane (unattainable list) and I have managed to whittle that down in the last week (Pshew). Today, I thought I would share with you, a few things I hope to accomplish this year

  • A new blog name, design and more diverse content
  • Clear out and revamp my closet
  • Declutter, Declutter, Declutter
  • Reduce my soda intake by half
  • Be consistent with my 3x /week workouts
  • Connect with other bloggers 
  • Travel to four places this year
  • Read more - Hoping to read 8 books by end of 2015
  • Try something new 
    • Food 
    • Activity (In-door sky diving - Argh) 
    • Hair (I have had my hair in braids for the better part of 4.5 years, I think it's time for a change)
  • Take a cooking class
  • Be better with lightroom and photoshop
  • Actually stick to my budget
  • Learn to R.E.L.A.X

There are a couple of other things on my list that I am keeping close to the vest (for now). I already started on my goals - so far, so good. 

What are some of your goals this year ?

In LIFE + STYLE
← 5 Things : Movies to watch in 2015Work Wardrobe Essentials →

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @THE_SIMI_EDIT

“I think everyone should go to bed like they have a date at the door.” - KL
Farewell to a legend.
The bronze sculpture of the urinating boy stands as a symbol of Belgium (and of the City’s defiance). is a must see. The statue is replicated all over the city. The main statue is a short walk from the grand place and one of the most visited spots in Brussels.  These days you will find the statue clad in one of a reported miniature nine hundred suits. More of unique Brussels on the blog now (via link in profile).
Prayer for the week....
“May you see the wisdom of cultivating a heart at rest though many are caught up in the chaos of the culture. May you notice the holy-ground moments when God’s movement in our midst is tangible. May you take off your shoes, though others race right past you. And today, may you become so assured of God’s presence and His love that when others encounter you, they’re compelled to look up and seek Him for themselves. Be still and KNOW that He is God and that He loves you deeply. Have a blessed week.” - [Susie Larson]
Whenever I travel I try (don’t always succeed) to try or do something that is outside my comfort zone or norm of what I will do in my day to day. In Brussels that thing was the comic strip center (@comicsartmuseum). I was pleasantly surprised by it and ended up sending a couple of hours here. There was a #Smurf exhibition and a women in comic exhibition that was in one word - Captivating. Did you know the Smurf’s franchise was created by a Belgian artist - Peyo in 1958 ? Looking for tips on planning your Brussels adventure. - there is a guide on the blog via link in profile.
Loved this part of Brussels. #Montdesart Is about ten minutes from the palace or about fifteen minutes from the grand place. This hill of arts has got all the art your heart desires. The garden is a work of art in itself and the complex is home to the royal library; national archives; the mim (museum of musical instruments); Belvue museum and so much more.  I spent a lot of time in the garden taking a break from the trek around the city; there is a restaurant/bar at the top of the hill with an incredible view.
“May the space between where you are and where you want to be inspire you.” Happy Saturday lovelies
A trip to Belgium is not complete without trying the waffles (this offering is served with a scoop of speculoo ice cream); they make them different here. Three spots that came highly recommended for waffles - maison dandoy; mokafe and waffle factory. Visit @what.simi.eats for more food recommendations from my travels.
One of my favorite stops in Brussels - @minieuropeofficial . This park is located just outside the city in Heysel (at the foot of the Atomium); the park displays miniature replicas of many European city from Riga to Seville. This one is a replica of Brussels - you can see more from my visit in the stories (I went a bit overboard 🤭).
When I started planning my trip to Brussels - the farthest thing from my mind was the city’s culinary prowess- it is not something that get talked about in the guides and blog post but When I asked locals the one thing I should not miss in the city - most everyone had frites in their top three. I got to spend some time in the city last year and I can confirm - the frites are THE best and the culinary scene is right up there. What I especially loved was the “street food” like fries and waffles which are great for the budget traveler but also very high quality.
The Belgium royal palace is one of the few ones I have visited in Europe that is not open to the public. It is the administrative palace and as such only open to the public during a six to eight week period in summer. The gardens are spectacular and are available for viewing. The garden face  the Brussels park which is the oldest park in the city / country
The Belgium city guide is now on the blog. 20 things you have got to try (see/do/eat) while you are in the city (read via link in profile).
This is me at the @atomium.official located in Heysel. It is one of the must see landmarks in the city. It was constructed as part of the 1955 world’s fair. You get an incredible view of the city from the Spheres and the top one houses an amazing (albeit pricey) restaurant. More of Belgium in the stories....
Tomorrow on the blog....Brussels, Belgium. This is going to be a good one. But first, it is Sunday evening - we are gearing up for Monday - some with excitement ; some with trepidation (others in the middle). Wherever you fall on the Monday spectrum. Here is a prayer for the week. Have a fab week friends.
“May Jesus miraculously deliver you from the fear and anxiety that threatens to overwhelm you. May He set you in a spacious place so you feel less pressed by the enemy of your soul. May He shore you up and strengthen you so you can clearly see things as they are, and not as they seem. May JOY fill your heart—right in the midst of your circumstances—and may PEACE flood your soul. If you are in Christ, Christ is IN YOU! Overwhelming victory belongs to you! You have lots to celebrate!” -[Susie Larson]
<meta name="B-verify" content="337f30a1a3a81bd40addf2bee8efbfa85a4ea8d0" />

COMING SOON TO THE BLOG

Amsterdam, Netherland

Athens, Greece

Basel, Switzerland

Bellagio, Italy

Berlin, Germany

Brighton, U.K

Bordeaux, France

Brugge, Belgium

Budapest, Hungary

Denmark, Copenhagen

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Edinburgh, Scotland

Grenada

Lisbon, Portugal

Milan, Italy

Montenegro

Como, Italy

Porto, Portugal

Seville, Spain

Sintra, Portugal

Venice, Italy

"Travel leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller" - Unknown.

My name is Simi. Welcome to Portland | Grace, where I share stories inspired by my travels (and life). 

In the last three years, I have visited more than 30 cities around the world and I did not have to quit my day job to do it. I hope you find inspiration on these pages to pursure your travel dreams. I love chatting travel - send me a message at portlandgraceblog@gmail.com. Let's chat !!!





THE LATEST

Featured
THE BRUSSELS CITY GUIDE - TWENTY THINGS TO DO (AND PLACES TO EAT) IN BRUSEELS
THE BRUSSELS CITY GUIDE - TWENTY THINGS TO DO (AND PLACES TO EAT) IN BRUSEELS
THE PRAGUE CITY GUIDE - HOW TO SPEND AN UNFORGETTABLE WEEKEND IN THE CZECH CAPITAL
THE PRAGUE CITY GUIDE - HOW TO SPEND AN UNFORGETTABLE WEEKEND IN THE CZECH CAPITAL
WHY YOU SHOULD TRAVEL EUROPE IN WINTER - THE PROS AND CONS
WHY YOU SHOULD TRAVEL EUROPE IN WINTER - THE PROS AND CONS
A DAY AT THE BEACH IN LAGOS - LA CAMPAGNE TROPICANA BEACH RESORT // LAGOS, NIGERIA
A DAY AT THE BEACH IN LAGOS - LA CAMPAGNE TROPICANA BEACH RESORT // LAGOS, NIGERIA
FROM BEACHES TO MARKETS - 7 MUST SEE AND DO THINGS IN LAGOS , NIGERIA
FROM BEACHES TO MARKETS - 7 MUST SEE AND DO THINGS IN LAGOS , NIGERIA

MEMBER OF THE PEONY PROJECT

MEMBER OF THE PEONY PROJECT

Life's Sweet Words

Subscribe

For more travel tips and behind the scenes look at what I get up to besides the blog, Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates.

We respect your privacy.

Thank you!

© 2015 —2016 PORTLAND | GRACE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

 

Powered by Squarespace