The other day, I was on TikTok and came across a video by Mel Robbins. She was interviewing Erin Walsh, a celebrity stylist. The video I saw was just a snippet of the full podcast, but it immediately caught my attention.

They were talking about dressing intentionally and how clothes can make you feel certain ways. Some items can make you feel confident, while others can make you feel sexy and bold. But clothing can also have the opposite effect.

That podcast inspired me to write a blog post about how to use clothing to instantly boost your mood and confidence.

How to Use Clothing to Instantly Boost Your Mood and Confidence

1. Dress with Intention
   Most people, including me, don’t really think about their outfits. I used to wake up, stand in front of my closet, and just put on the first thing I saw. I never really gave it much thought. And sure, sometimes that outfit would make me feel good, but most of the time it was just… average. Even though I already knew that certain outfits could make you feel more confident, I wasn’t using that knowledge intentionally.
   Then I listened to this podcast where Erin explained that you should pick three words to describe how you want to feel that day, and then choose an outfit that matches that vibe. Some days, your words might be comfortable, soft, and relaxed, like when you’re sick. Other days, they might be fun, colorful, and bold. Either way, you’re choosing your outfit with intention.
   
2. Create a Confidence Outfit
   Create a go-to outfit for days when you need a confidence boost. I think having a “confidence outfit” is such a good tip, because confidence is one of the best feelings you can have.
   When you feel confident, you can handle more challenges, more stress. It makes you feel almost unstoppable. So having a confident outfit ready to wear is perfect for those mornings when you don’t know what to wear. It’s like having a reliable, go-to look that you know will make you feel good, especially when you’re short on time.
   
3. Upgrade Your Closet
   First of all, get rid of the things that don’t fit you anymore. You’re probably holding onto them because you think you’ll lose weight or wear them again someday, but if that happens, you can always buy new clothes. For now, focus on owning clothes that actually fit you and that you actually wear. Then comes the fun part: adding new pieces to your closet. Look for items that truly elevate your outfits. Try not to buy things just because they’re trendy; you might regret it later. Instead, go to the store and focus on how something makes you feel.
   
4. Don’t Save Your Good Outfits
   This is something I definitely do; I have outfits that I only wear for “special occasions.” But why? If it’s your favorite clothing item and you love how it makes you feel, why save it? Wear it on a random Tuesday. Who cares? You don’t need a special occasion to feel good.
   
5. Pay Attention to How Clothes Make You Feel
   Take some time to try on every piece you own and ask yourself: How does this make me feel? If something makes you feel bad, get rid of it, donate or sell it. If there’s an item that makes you feel confident or amazing, but you rarely wear it, start wearing it more. Clothes have the power to make you feel like a completely different person. Keep the items that make you feel confident, bold, empowered, and good. Let go of the ones that don’t.
   
6. Use Small Details to Elevate Your Look
   I really love this tip because it can make such a big difference. I used to wear rings all the time because they made me feel good. For some reason, I stopped, and I don’t even know why. They made my outfits feel complete and made me feel prettier. The same goes for things like makeup or nail polish. These small details can have a huge impact on how you feel.
   
7. Dress for the Person You Are Becoming
   Don’t just think about how you want to feel today, think about who you want to become. If you want to feel more confident, choose outfits that reflect that. And if you do that consistently, you start becoming that version of yourself. The way you dress can influence your mindset more than you think.

The post How to Use Clothing to Boost Your Mood and Confidence first appeared on A happy life.

I love making lists, including putting things on my wishlist, and I’ve decided to share the items on my wishlist with you. Right now, spring is around the corner, so you will mostly find spring and summer items on my list. I am so ready for more sunshine and warmer weather.

I also have a few other items on my wishlist—physical media, actually. I love using CDs because they bring back a lot of good memories. I also found a game that I would love to have on my Nintendo Switch 2.

Things on my Wishlist

1. Flowy dresses: I’m already thinking about the warmer weather, and that means flowy dresses. I would love to find one or two long, flowy dresses.
2. Trousers: I found these on a webshop (Takko Fashion), and they had them in several colors. I really liked this one. Unfortunately, it’s only available online. I hope they will also become available in stores, or maybe I’ll find something similar at thrift stores.
3. Cute tops: I wear dark colors most of the time. Most of the time you will see me wearing black. But I’m ready to start wearing some color, and I really liked the color of this top.
4. Tiered maxi skirt: I have been looking for something similar for so long. I don’t want to buy clothes online, so I hope I will find one in a physical store in my size.
5. Shorts: These look pretty short, to be honest. I prefer them to be a bit longer. Maybe I could also find a pair of long jeans and cut the legs off.
6. Keeps Gettin’ Better: A Decade of Hits: I loved Christina Aguilera when I was a kid, and I would love to have her greatest hits on one album.

1. Pink items: Pink doesn’t always look great on me because warmer, darker colors suit me better. But I thought maybe bright pink jeans or something similar could look nice with a dark or black top.
2. Flowy tops: I love cute, flowy tops, so hopefully I can find something similar as well.
3. Blouses: I love wearing blouses. I usually wear them open with a shirt underneath. I found this one and they had so many beautiful colors. Right now, I really like the purple/lilac one.
4. T-shirts with a little bit of color: It’s easy to create a simple look with a T-shirt like this and still look great. They’re comfy as well.
5. The Essential Britney Spears: I also loved Britney Spears growing up, and I would love to have her greatest hits on one album.
6. Pokopia: Last but not least. This game was released pretty recently. I wanted to wait and see if I would like it. I’ve watched some videos, and I think this might be the perfect game for me.

What is on your wishlist?

The post Things On My Wishlist (March 2026) first appeared on A happy life.

Hello there! Next Saturday (25th May) and I am super excited, although I don’t have any specific plans besides eating apple pie. But I have made a birthday wishlist because I love making (wish)lists and of course, I am getting those ‘what do you want for your birthday?’ questions. Now I just can simply share this blog post. This year’s wishlist is a mix of everything, to be honest. A lot of beauty products that I would like to try and some things I need for my house.

My Birthday Wishlist

1. Scrunchies. I love scrunchies and it is something I use every day. I try not to lose but sometimes it happens. So new scrunchies are always welcome.
2. Guess Red Seductive Perfume. I tried this one time when I was at the store and now I can’t stop thinking about it. It smells great.
3. Scrub. My older face scrub is almost empty so I need a new one. So asking a new one for my birthday is a smart idea.
4. Toiletry bag. I don’t have one but I want to go travelling soon and I guess I need one. This one looks very pretty and cute.
5. Face masks. Every Sunday I like to take time for myself. I paint my nails and I love to do face masks as well.
6. Sunscreen for the face. This is something I need because my older is empty and currently I am using a regular sunscreen for my face, but I think it is better to use a sunscreen specific for my face.
7. Vase. I want to buy flowers more often and I need a vase for it.
8. Body Cream. This is a Sol de Janeiro dupe and the price difference is huge. 

1. The Tortured Poets Department. The new album by Taylor Swift. I really want to start listening LP’s again.
2. Candles. I am obsessed with cute candles.
3. Mirror. This is an Ikea mirror and I really liked this one. I don’t have a full-length mirror and this one looks really nice and simplistic.
4. Plants. Someone can never have enough plants.
5. Record Player. I used to have one, but it was a very old one (from the last century) and now I would love to have one again.
6. Flowers. Because I love flowers and it is always a perfect birthday gift.

1. Kitchen Utensils set. This has been on my wishlist for a while now, so now I am also asking for it for my birthday.
2. Ankle boots. I love ankle boots. These days I always wear sneakers, but I would love to own a pair of ankle boots again.
3. Sunglasses. The sun is currently shining a lot and a pair of sunglasses is necessary when I am on my way.
4. Essence Nail polish Gold. I don’t own a gold nail polish and I think this is the right time to buy one. This will be perfect for festival and other parties.
5. Backpack. I just like this backpack a lot.
6. Headphones. Heard so many good reviews about these apple headphones and they look pretty good as well. Pretty expensive though, but one person can dream right?
7. White sneakers. As I mentioned above, I wear a lot of sneakers and I kind of love white sneakers. It is hard to keep them clean, but they look pretty.

The post My Birthday Wishlist first appeared on A happy life.

It is December and even though I don’t celebrate Christmas by giving and receiving gifts, I thought it would be nice to make a wishlist. There are a few things I want to buy or get soon and other things on my wishlist are less important, but it would just be nice to have those things. Someone can dream, right? This is my wishlist for December 2023. Let me know in the comment section what’s on your wishlist.

My Wishlist

1. Sweater. I found this sweater on the Primark website and I just love the color and it looks gorgeous and cozy. I have to check it out very soon. 
2. Ring light. I like to make videos and take photos, but the thing is that it gets very dark during the winter months. There are just a few hours of daylight. This ring light would be helpful. 
3. Bed tray table. I think this would be nice for those cozy mornings in bed on a weekend day or when I just want to watch some Netflix in my bed. I don’t have a television, so I always have to watch on my laptop. I can put my laptop on this table.
4. Chelsea boots. So I am currently looking for new shoes. The last time I bought new shoes was three years ago during the pandemic. I always wear the same pair and I don’t see the point in having too many shoes. But I want to look for new sneakers since my other ones are getting older (after wearing them daily for three years) and I also like to have some Chelsea boots. I used to have a pair like this one and they were fabulous.
5. Snuddie. Primark has a lot of snuddies and they all look so cozy. The last time I was at the Primark, they did not have snuddies I liked. I want to have something like this snuddie but maybe a different color (black or brown) since gray isn’t my color.
6. Books. I put one specific book on this wishlist, but to be honest, my book wishlist is very long. I would be very happy with any of those books. I would also be happy with a gift card so I can e-books online.
7. Samsung Galaxy S23. The most expensive item on my wishlist. I still have the Samsung S8 and it is still working pretty great, but I want to have a phone with a better camera in the future. This is one of the items on my wishlist that I don’t need immediately
8. Candles. Candles are always nice, especially now it gets dark very early. It gives a little bit of extra coziness.
9. Electric Kettle. I have one but it needs to be replaced soon. I like this color, but I am also okay if I find one in black or white. I also really like the design of this one. 
10. Wireless earbuds. I have a headphone and I love it. It is not wireless but it works perfectly and it also keeps my ears warm in the colder months. But I realized it is easier to use earbuds on some occasions. 

The post My Wishlist | December 2023 first appeared on A happy life.

There is one thing I discovered just a few years ago and that is that thrift shopping is a lot of fun. If you had told me this when I was still a teenager, I would have laughed in your face. I always thought that it was disgusting to buy and use secondhand stuff, but I have changed my mind about this. Since I did, I love to go thrift shopping and today I will share my reasons why it is fun and good to thrift shop. Because the fact that everything is so cheap at the thrift store is not the only reason.

Reasons Why It Is Fun And Good To Thrift Shop

1. Treasure Hunting

Thrifting is a bit like going on a treasure hunt. You never know what gems you might stumble upon as you browse through the racks or shelves of secondhand stores. Vintage clothing, rare collectibles, or unique home decor items are just waiting to be discovered. The excitement of not knowing what you’ll find is what makes thrifting so much fun. It’s an opportunity to uncover hidden gems and create a unique, one-of-a-kind style. One time I found cargo pants and a dress for just a few euros, but when I got home I googled the brands and it turned out they were both worth hundreds of euros. 

2. Affordability

One of the most appealing aspects of thrifting is its affordability. Secondhand items are often significantly cheaper than their brand-new counterparts. This allows you to score quality items without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a student on a tight budget or simply looking to save some money, thrift stores offer a wide range of affordable options for your clothing, furniture, and home decor needs. I have two favorite thrift stores I like to go to. One is super cheap and you can get a T-shirt for 1 euro, and books for a euro. The other one is a little bit more fancy but still extremely affordable.

3. Sustainable Fashion

Fast fashion has become a major contributor to environmental problems, including pollution and excessive waste. By thrifting, you are participating sustainably. You extend the life of clothing and reduce the demand for new products, which helps reduce the fashion industry’s environmental impact. Thrifting is a practical way to practice eco-conscious consumerism and support a more sustainable world. So the next time you want to buy new clothes, check your local thrift store first.

4. Unique Style

Thrifting allows you to cultivate a unique and distinctive personal style. You’re not limited to the latest trends and mass-produced items found in mainstream stores. Instead, you have access to a diverse array of clothing and accessories, often from different eras, giving you the freedom to mix and match styles to create your own unique look. Thrifted pieces can help you stand out and express your individuality. I remember a time when most of the girls/women were wearing the same top from Zara. If you want to be more unique, go to a thrift store.

5. Quality and Durability

Secondhand items often come from an era when products were built to last. You can find high-quality, well-constructed items that have stood the test of time. Vintage pieces are known for their durability and craftsmanship, making them a smart choice for those who value quality and long-lasting products. I see a lot of older furniture at the thrift store and it still looks great. If you are looking for something that will last longer, go to a thrift store.

6. Reducing Waste

Thrifting is a fantastic way to reduce waste. When you purchase secondhand items, you’re diverting them from landfills and extending their useful life. This helps decrease the overall environmental impact of the fashion industry and promotes responsible consumption. So not only have you bought something nice for yourself or your apartment, but you are also doing something good for the environment.

7. Supporting Local Businesses

Many thrift shops are local, independently owned businesses. By shopping at these establishments, you’re supporting your community and contributing to the local economy. Your purchases help keep these small businesses thriving, which, in turn, benefits your neighborhood. Most of the thrift stores here are doing more than selling just secondhand stuff. One puts a part of their profit into helping poor families and another store here hires people who would normally never been hired somewhere else.

Thrifting is more than just shopping; it’s an experience that combines the thrill of discovery with the satisfaction of knowing you’re making a positive impact on your wallet, your style, and the environment. From unique fashion finds to eco-conscious choices, thrifting offers countless benefits that make it a genuinely fun and rewarding endeavor. So, next time you’re considering a shopping spree, consider visiting your local thrift store and enjoy the adventure while doing good for yourself and the planet. Happy thrifting!

Photo by Prudence Earl on Unsplash

The post Reasons Why It Is Fun And Good To Thrift Shop first appeared on A happy life.

So she was considering in her own mind (as well as she could, for the hot day made her feel very sleepy and stupid), whether the pleasure of making a daisy-chain would be worth the trouble of getting up and picking the daisies, when suddenly a White Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her.

There was nothing so very remarkable in that; nor did Alice think it so very much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say to itself, “Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!” (when she thought it over afterwards, it occurred to her that she ought to have wondered at this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural); but when the Rabbit actually took a watch out of its waistcoat-pocket, and looked at it, and then hurried on, Alice started to her feet, for it flashed across her mind that she had never before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to take out of it, and burning with curiosity, she ran across the field after it, and fortunately was just in time to see it pop down a large rabbit-hole under the hedge.

In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get out again.

Alice in Wonderland

The rabbit-hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, and then dipped suddenly down, so suddenly that Alice had not a moment to think about stopping herself before she found herself falling down a very deep well.

Either the well was very deep, or she fell very slowly, for she had plenty of time as she went down to look about her and to wonder what was going to happen next. First, she tried to look down and make out what she was coming to, but it was too dark to see anything; then she looked at the sides of the well, and noticed that they were filled with cupboards and book-shelves; here and there she saw maps and pictures hung upon pegs. She took down a jar from one of the shelves as she passed; it was labelled “ORANGE MARMALADE”, but to her great disappointment it was empty: she did not like to drop the jar for fear of killing somebody underneath, so managed to put it into one of the cupboards as she fell past it.

“Well!” thought Alice to herself, “after such a fall as this, I shall think nothing of tumbling down stairs! How brave they’ll all think me at home! Why, I wouldn’t say anything about it, even if I fell off the top of the house!” (Which was very likely true.)

Down, down, down. Would the fall never come to an end? “I wonder how many miles I’ve fallen by this time?” she said aloud. “I must be getting somewhere near the centre of the earth. Let me see: that would be four thousand miles down, I think—” (for, you see, Alice had learnt several things of this sort in her lessons in the schoolroom, and though this was not a very good opportunity for showing off her knowledge, as there was no one to listen to her, still it was good practice to say it over) “—yes, that’s about the right distance—but then I wonder what Latitude or Longitude I’ve got to?” (Alice had no idea what Latitude was, or Longitude either, but thought they were nice grand words to say.)

Presently she began again. “I wonder if I shall fall right through the earth! How funny it’ll seem to come out among the people that walk with their heads downward! The Antipathies, I think—” (she was rather glad there was no one listening, this time, as it didn’t sound at all the right word).

Alice in Wonderland

“Vut I shall have to ask them what the name of the country is, you know. Please, Ma’am, is this New Zealand or Australia?” (and she tried to curtsey as she spoke—fancy curtseying as you’re falling through the air! Do you think you could manage it?) “And what an ignorant little girl she’ll think me for asking! No, it’ll never do to ask: perhaps I shall see it written up somewhere.”

Down, down, down. There was nothing else to do, so Alice soon began talking again. “Dinah’ll miss me very much to-night, I should think!” (Dinah was the cat.) “I hope they’ll remember her saucer of milk at tea-time. Dinah my dear! I wish you were down here with me! There are no mice in the air, I’m afraid, but you might catch a bat, and that’s very like a mouse, you know. But do cats eat bats, I wonder?” And here Alice began to get rather sleepy, and went on saying to herself, in a dreamy sort of way, “Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?” and sometimes, “Do bats eat cats?” for, you see, as she couldn’t answer either question, it didn’t much matter which way she put it. She felt that she was dozing off, and had just begun to dream that she was walking hand in hand with Dinah, and saying to her very earnestly, “Now, Dinah, tell me the truth: did you ever eat a bat?” when suddenly, thump! thump! down she came upon a heap of sticks and dry leaves, and the fall was over.

The post Finding the Spaces in Your Home That Spark Joy first appeared on A happy life.