A Copenhagen Travel Guide

A Copenhagen Travel Guide

Me and my pal recently planned a wee break away and decided on Copenhagen! I saved up for flights and accommodation from working during the summer and doing some online selling then off we went! It was probably the coldest place to go but minus temperatures aside, we had a great time and ate like queens. Denmark has always been hyped up or 'stereotyped' as the happiest country and I was curious to see if it was...and if so, why?

Here is what we got up to, where we stayed/visited/ate and if I personally found it to be one of the happiest places I've visited so far...

We travelled via Manchester airport then took the underground to the center and a quick bus ride to our accommodation - we chose central Nørrebro aka the coolest/nicest neighborhood in Copenhagen. We stayed at Amanda's Air BnB (see here for full info). It was in a super handy location, just across from a grocers, supermarket, bus stop, park with arty swings, bike hire shops etc. A nice, clean & minimal (as expected from the Scandi's) bedroom, shared kitchen/bathroom and shared roof terrace. 

The first night we were knackered from travelling and got in late so got some dinner then some zzz's before the busy day ahead of brunching and exploring...

The next morning we headed straight for the city center to brunch! We came across Atelier September and knew we'd found a gem. We both opted for the open-sandwich with avocado on rye bread (another Scandi thing) with boiled eggs, cheese and tea/coffee. The food was spot-on and the flavouring/seasoning was so good it was like little taste explosions were going off in my mouth, like really. 

The cafe had a nice 'n' cozy vibe and we were sat at the window, the perfect spot to watch the world go by. There was cool art work displayed around the cafe and a vintage shop in the back too. Despite it being pretty pricey, when it comes to 'hygge' and happiness, we found this place to tick all the boxes - it had a really calm atmosphere, candles, warmth and delicious food so definitely worth the occasional visit!

We wandered through Nyhavn which is the go-to tourist spot. Lined with multi-coloured houses, outdoor café terraces and a Christmas market - this place is very photogenic and has plenty to do as long as what you want to do involves buying, drinking or eating!

Afterwards, we visited the Danish Museum of Design which offers free entry for under 25's, hurray for youth! Me and my friend both loved this museum and it was filled with inspiration and fun things to look at including tech, fashion, furniture and more. Again lots of photo opportunities to be had and ideas to be made! They also had an insanely good gift shop and I wanted to buy everything.

Candid but cold!

These gorgeous heart lights were along all the streets in the city center for the festive season and I think they are some of the nicest yet not-too-over the top Christmas decorations I've seen.

We also checked out the Danish Film Institute which is a must for film-lovers! It had a great gift shop with DVDs, books and more, an exhibition, a cafe (with a super friendly English man working there) and of course a cinema, plus a restaurant.

The 'Hotel D'Angleterre' with an advent calendar window display.

As for shopping, there is plenty and a few shops that we don't have here in the France/UK. They have a Weekday, Monki AND I even saw a retail outlet selling ADER clothing. We also came across a pop up store for Axel Arigato which was more of an art exhibition than a shop. So shopaholics, Copenhagen is the place for you!

In the evening we dined in and made a quick pasta meal plus vino from the supermarket before we headed out. Minimal photos from the night out but we had a great time. First, stopping off ever-so randomly at a game bar, yes you read right! We were a little early for a gig we were going to so popped into Bip Bip Bar which has everything from arcade machines to retro games on tiny tv's where you can basically get drunk and go square-eyed simultaneously. Finally it was time for some live music at the new venue called Alice, to see Gruff Rhys with support Bill Ryder Jones. It felt like being back in my ex-student town of Liverpool as many locals had come to see these British artists. 

After was followed by a trip to a bar which the name of I do not know but they served very nice cocktails... anyhoo, after that I met a Danish man outside called Kim to whom I asked whilst slightly tipsy "are Danish people really happier?!" His answer was quite slurred but I think he said something along the lines of that it's just a stereotype like every place has. That happiness depends on you and not on the place you are, that Copenhagen has problems like every where else. He rambled something else, then it was time to say bye and go for chips - taxi - bed...

Needless to say the next day we felt a little delicate. We got up late, had a supermarket lunch outdoors facing a pretty canal then ventured to the much talked about 'Freetown Christiania' based in Christianshavn. It's basically a little town nestled within the town where anything goes, I mean nearly anything. There's no cars passing through, just bikes, lots of graffiti and street art, stalls, shops, food stands, etc. However I was little surprised to see what was basically an open-air 'coffee' shop, if you know what I mean...the whiff in the air said it all! Taking photos in certain parts of Freetown is not advised so it's an experience worth seeing with your own eyes. Also maybe better to go on a day when you're not hungover like we were.

The day was mostly a wandering day as a lot of museums and such were closed but it's a very quiet, calm city to explore on foot or bike. 

By about 5pm we were already hungry so headed to a place my friend found online, recommended for vegetarians, called Gao - a dumpling bar. Oh my days, the food was insanely good! It had a 'tapas' style menu so you get lots of little dishes of different things but I think we slightly over ordered as we ended up staying for over two hours because we had to keep taking breaks...we got mushroom/spinach dumplings, deep-fried tofu, noodles, veg and noodle soup. As you can see from the photos below, the interiors were very cool and the food was heaven.

Following dinner, we decided to see a movie (not able to face a second night running of drinking) at the Empire cinema and saw Suspiria, the modern remake by Luca Guadagnino. The movie was in English with Danish subtitles but there was a lot of spoken German too which we didn't realise so probably lost the plot (literally). Overall, the movie was pretttyyy intense and freaked the cr*p out of me! I think I liked it but then again I was happy for it to be over, it left me feeling similar to how 'mother!' did, if that resonates with anyone!

Monday was our last day and the day of our flight so we spent time wandering round town, finally ate at The Union Kitchen then explored the Botanical Gardens which was a beautiful bit of haven in the middle of the city.

In conclusion to my essay - just kidding - no, but really, did I find out if Denmark is the happiest country in the world? I think my random drunken encounter on Saturday summed it up and that it really does depend on you. However, I did come back from the break feeling motivated to do as the Danish do and appreciate and enjoy the 'everyday' things more. Food, comfort, lighting and warmth and the simple effects they can have on boosting your happiness and wellbeing.

_

Unfortunately I brought the wrong adaptor for my camera charger so was unable to make a video of my travels and most of the photos above were taken with my phone. However I hope you still enjoyed this little documentation of my time in Copenhagen and it's useful if you plan on visiting too! Farvel!

Halloween: What To Watch

Halloween: What To Watch

If you'd rather stay in the warmth this year instead of dressing up and braving the cold for the second year dressed up as a cat (aka, me)...because let's face it, you always leave it last minute and panic. 

And you don't even need to panic about what movies to watch either, because I've been organised  and picked some out for you yay!

These are my own personal favourites amongst those that I have seen - I'm aware there's a load of other fantastic horror movies out there and I've merely scratched the surface of this genre...but these are my favourites!

🎃 Enjoy and happy Halloween! 🎃

Donnie Darko

A teenager named Donnie Darko played by the b-e-a-utiful Jake Gyllenhaal, sleepwalks out of his house one night and sees a huge freaky demon rabbit called Frank. Frank then tells him the world is going to end in 28 days. Donnie then returns home to find a massive jet engine has crashed into his bedroom...y'know, as you do. Things get freakier and weirder and the audience is left to wonder - is he maybe living in a parallel universe...or is it just his mind playing tricks on him...or is the world really going to end? I've seen this movie several times, even read a book about it, and don't feel much closer to what it's all really about, or what the ending of the movie entails. However, no matter how many times I see it, it still leaves me pondering and is still one of the best (probably underrated) screenplays out there. It's not a jump-scare type movie but it will freak with your brain.

The Silence Of The Lambs

A cult classic but I couldn't leave it out. A smart-cookie student at the FBI's training academy, Clarice, played by Jodie Foster is asked to interview a certain Dr. Hannibal Lecter - a genius psychiatrist. But, Hannibal is also a violent psychopath - of course, it wouldn't be a Halloween movie without one of those! He's been put behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Lecter is believed to have an insight into a case therefore Clarice is selected as 'bait' to get him to spill the beans. It's a creepy movie, it's gross, disturbing and unpleasant and jumps up on you when you least expect it to...but it is Halloween after all.

Black Mirror

Maybe not your typical thing to watch on Halloween, and it's tv not a movie, but what's scarier than a dystopian future? I've mentioned my love for BM on here before so it's clear to say I'm a fan! Each episode features a new story centered around an aspect of modern technology and our unease with the modern world, one scarier than the next - all depicting scary truths about an alternative present or the near future which will be sure to be leave you feeling spooked and questioning the world around you...

The Exorcist

I only saw The Exorcist for the first time this year and it was probably the most visually disturbing horror movie I've seen. Let's not talk about the make up or distorted voices of protagonist Regan - it literally made me sick to my stomach! Naturally, her mother is a bit worried, as any mum would be if their child begins levitating! A local priest believes the girl may be seized by the devil and therefore wants to perform an exorcism on her. If this movie doesn't freak you out, you're probably possessed too!

Get Out

Main characters, Chris and his girlfriend, Rose have reached the point of dating when she's ready to introduce him to her parents. As if this isn't scary enough in itself, let's throw a horror genre into the mix! Rose invites Chris for a weekend away to finally meet mum n dad, who are a little bit too accommodating, which Chris tries to brush off as their anxious attempts to deal with the fact he's, well, black. However, as the weekend unfolds, he realises their initial behaviour was just the tip of iceberg and something real funny is going on in their household...

The Shining

Jack (played brilliantly by Jack Nicholson) decides to take up the position as winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel along with his wife, Wendy and son, Danny. Jack, a recovering alcoholic, seems to think embarking on this adventure will cure him of his writer's block when really it just drives him crazy! Danny also possesses psychic abilities which exposes him to the hotel's horrific past. So as you can imagine, it's a cocktail for disaster waiting to happen, and so entertaining and great and a visual masterpiece by Stanley Kubrick. If you have seen The Shining, or plan to, another great follow-up is watching the documentary Room 237 which delves into the many possible meanings behind the film.

Rosemary's Baby

Rosemary and Guy, her husband, move to their new apartment in New York which has an odd reputation and even weirder neighbours. In short, Rosemary finds out she is pregnant then becomes paranoid and increasingly suspicious that both her husband and her neighbours are hatching a plan against her baby. The audience is never quite sure whether Rosemary's experiences are truly supernatural or made up, imaginative hallucinations...leaving the viewer unsettled and uncomfortable and questioning reality.

Psycho

I saw Pyscho for the first time in my first year of university and remember analyzing the iconic shower scene for a whole lecture - that's where my tuition fees went! Regardless, this film is iconic for a reason, being one of the most violent and horrific films of it's time. Marion is a secretary in Phoenix who's just stole 40,000 dollars from her employer to spontaneously run away with her boyfriend - silly move, Marion! On her escapade she becomes exhausted whilst driving and decides to stop for the night at the infamous Bates Motel. She meets the extremely polite and formal but very awkward proprietor Norman Bates who lives with his possessive mother, or does he? Dun dun dun!

mother!

Lastly I'm choosing the most recent movie of the bunch. Darren Aronofsky's widely controversial mother! is about a couple's relationship which is tested when many uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence. Her, played by Jennifer Lawrence and Him, played by Javier Bardem begin to find their quiet, peaceful home descending into chaos though it's only really Her that seems to care...whilst Him is more concerned about his next creative masterpiece. It's a powerful, anxiety-inducing, psychological thriller crossing themes of love, passion and religion all wrapped up in one claustrophobic home bound to have you reaching for an escape!

What are your favourite movies to watch on Halloween?

Favourites Of The Moment: Podcasts, Videos, TV

Favourites Of The Moment: Podcasts, Videos, TV

I always enjoy listening to podcasts, reading articles, watching Youtube videos and documentaries...with the weekly episode of Strictly Come Dancing thrown in for good measure (and sanity). Here are some of my favourites as of late for you to get your teeth stuck into and make the most of your time online.

Podcasts galore!

Most of you know Fearne Cotton as the chatty, vibrant blonde presenter from Radio 1 and Top of the Pops, however recently you may know her better as an author and advocate for mental health. I recently read her book 'Happy' and discovered her podcast series 'Happy Place'. Fearne interviews big names in media such as Stephen Fry, Gok Wan, Kirsty Young - just to name a few, about their experience with mental health and what happiness means to them. The podcasts delve into topics about love, loss and all the bits in-between. Most podcasts range from half an hour to an hour and are the perfect way to soothe your mind and learn from a wide range of personalities about how they manage their mental health. I would highly recommend these podcasts and Fearne's books.

Oprah's SuperSoul Conversations have been another favourite of mine in my podcasts which feature interviews with thought-leaders, authors, health experts and many more. Each podcast acts as a guide and helps you discover and connect to the deeper meaning of the world around you. My favourite podcast to date is with will.i.am who uses his fame and fortune for the good of others, so I would highly recommend that. The only thing I would say is that sometimes the podcasts can seem somewhat 'preach-y' and religious (and kind of remind me of Jim Cunningham in Donnie Darko) - however! the topics covered are things that affect most of us and there is something to be gained and learned from these podcasts for everyone.

The Fringe Of It has been one of my recent and favourite subscriptions lately. Presented by Liv Purvis and for all you old school bloggers out there, you'll know her as What Olivia Did - one of the bloggers I first ever began reading has come leaps and bounds in her career. Liv presents this fantastic podcast alongside Charlotte Jacklin from Betty Magazine. They discuss everything about millennial life from careers, money, activism, self-love to body image. I encourage any woman, or man, out there to give their podcasts a listen as I guarantee you will find something that will make you think, yes, me too. They're very chatty and remind you of your own friends blathering away about everyday life things.

Jameela Jamil has been creating waves across social media with her outspoken, bold and unapologetic opinions on women, feminism, sexism and body image in the media. I first saw and heard Jameela on T4 Sunday's, she has now spread her wings across to LA and has begun her acting career and is simultaneously an activist for her self-starter campaign 'i-weigh'. Her interview 'Ways To Change The World: Jameela Jamil on banning airbrushing, the Kardashians and her traumatic teens' with  Krishnan Guru-Murthy covers everything from weight-loss, vanity and why the Kardashians are a toxic influence on young girls - and though she covers what some of us may know already, she articulates it in a way that makes you stop and think again about how social media affects how women, and men, see themselves.

Surf The Web

The wonders of the internet helped me discover Reel Honey, founded by Sydney Urbanek who also completed an internship at Cannes like myself. It's a wonderful website, that I kinna wish I'd made myself lol, featuring reviews and interviews on everything about women in film and pop culture. It also features fantastic essays which evoke many nostalgic memories for me of my past favourite films as well as current films and exploring them into depth and detail. It's my new favourite website and place to go for film reviews, essays or just to simply unwind. A must for film fanatics.

Need to lyfao (laugh your effing ass off)? Watch these!

The internet doesn't need to be all serious, and it most definitely isn't! This is where First We Feast comes in handy. If you like chicken (or vegan) wings and hot sauce accompanied by celebrities and fun interviews then First We Feast will be right about your street. Presented by Sean Evans, each video features a celebrity, in particular my favourite video with Jeff Goldblum (wowowowow), whilst challenging them to eat chicken wings with a range of hot sauces whilst also asking them many interesting questions. So, if you want to take time out from fake news, watching Mrs. May single-handedly ruin everything from Abba songs to Europe or other boring stuff then watch Sean Evans challenge celebrities to try the hottest of hot sauces! The FWF website also includes plenty of food and drink, culture and recipe articles and guides to eating across different parts of the US.

Or love film? Watch this!

My absolute favourite, favourite Youtube channel is Lessons From The Screenplay presented by Michael who discusses movies through analysing their screenplay's. He makes videos that analyse movie scripts to examine exactly how and why they are so good at telling their stories. It's partly educational and partially a love letter to great movies aiming to create fun and informative videos for the audience. He really knows what he's talking about and uses references to some of the top screenwriting books, you are bound to come away from his videos a little more educated and filled with more passion for movies.

Get informed!

Just last night I watched one of my favourite documentary presenters (after Louis Theroux of course) Stacey Dooley present her most recent piece of broadcasting - Fashion's Dirty Secrets. Without spoiling it too much, she explores the damages on the environment caused by fast fashion and the production of cotton. It is an eye-opener and pretty shocking news to watch, so don't expect to come away from the documentary feeling happy, but hopefully it will get a conversation and movement going that will encourage people to shop better. What I found most important was that she spoke with top bloggers and influencers which I think was a clever move. A lot of people may think the power is out of our hands, it's the government and the big companies that control it, to an extent. I believe it's in fact the consumer that is in control and if bloggers literally influence the consumer, they can influence us to shop better. More and more people, young girls particularly, look for what to buy online from bloggers and Youtuber's so if they send out a better message then hopefully others will follow.