Nycka, the Nomad ©

This text has precious tips for brides. My frame of reference is essentially Western. My knowledge of dress and grooming traditions relating to oriental weddings is very shallow, so I won't go into them here. In principle, I do not recommend wearing a white dress, although this is a strong Catholic tradition. Not even a black dress, also traditional in some regions. The first big moment of the wedding ceremony is the bride's entrance. She's the centre of attention, and obviously her makeup, how she's styled her hair, and everything she's wearing, especially her dress. When the bride chooses her own dress, if she has healthy self-esteem and emotional maturity, desirable qualities in someone who is going to start a family, the only reason that justifies getting married choosing the colour and model of the dress just because it is what everyone else wears, or because she thinks the colour is beautiful, is ignorance. A wedding is usually a time when the investment fo...

I know that many media channels, and profiles on LinkedIn and other social networks say that you should wear navy blue, black or gray suits to professional appointments. Many men follow this even outside the professional environment. But do you know what you communicate when making that choice? I'm an expert in colours and shapes as non-verbal communication tools and if you're not familiar with my work, you might be surprised to learn that your appearance communicates much more than you might think. When you follow what the media says, or what the majority does, you are leaving your personality aside, and personal style is using your personal image as a non-verbal communication tool to show the characteristics of your personality that make the most sense in every occasion. What does this have to do with navy blue suits? If you have a high leadership position, are a reference in your field, a creative professional or professional artist, by following the herd in your clothing ...

So you've moved to a new city. Maybe a new country. Alone. And now you want to meet people, your neighbours. How to do it? If you move in with someone who already lives in the city, they usually already know the neighbours and you will naturally end up getting to know them too. If you've moved to live alone, this text has a few options for how to approach it. You need to evaluate the local culture and even the neighbourhood profile to see which options might work best. If you have dogs, the tendency is that, when walking your dogs, you will find other neighbours walking their dogs, and you can use these situations to start conversations. Compliments to the dog, or asking for a veterinarian's recommendation, brand of dog food (if you are in another country), etc are options for starting a conversation. Over time, you establish some connections with these neighbours and the topics of conversation are expanded. If you don't have dogs... eventually cat hair on your cloth...

Yesterday was musician's day in Brazil and today is jukebox day in the United States, so let's talk about music. Music is an important part of my lifestyle and today I'm going to list 15 covers that, in my opinion, are better than the originals or just as good, but with a different identity. Comment your opinion and suggest other covers that I should know (and maybe I really do). My criterion takes into account the cover bringing a new face to the song. In almost all cases I also like the original song. Blind Channel playing “Left outside alone”, originally by Anastacia. Sonata Arctica playing "Still Loving You", originally by Scorpions. Evergrey performing "I'm sorry", originally by Dilba. Måneskin playing "Beggin'", originally by Frankie Valli. Gotthard performing "Hush", originally by Deep Purple. Iisa singing “Kellot Kappelin”, originally by Samuli Putro. Blind Channel playing “Numb” by Linkin Park. In my opinion...

What foods to offer your dog or cat? The most recommended foods are high quality industrialised dry feeds, without dyes. In Brazil, the best ones are classified as “super premium” and are found in pet shops, not supermarkets. There are also wet foods, highly recommended for cats (there are also options for dogs). About offering other foods, there are companies that offer natural (not industrialised) food options for dogs and cats, seeking the nutritional balance necessary for the good health of the animals. I haven't tested any yet. Dogs and cats are carnivorous animals, so if you are a vegetarian or vegan and want a vegetarian pet, don't get a dog or cat. Have a fish, a chicken, a rabbit, a hamster... there is an immense variety of herbivorous animals at your disposal. No need to disrespect the natural diet of dogs and cats. Respect is necessary in any relationship, and it is no different in the relationship between humans and pets. Some dogs and cats eat vegetables like ...

Are you influenced by other people when choosing what to wear? Although some tend to answer no, the reality is different. At birth, you didn't even have much ability to communicate your preferences, saying that this outfit is tight, that one is too hot and a third one is ugly. And even if you used the resources you had to communicate your dissatisfaction when you was a newborn, it is possible that your parents and caregivers would not understand. Some parents impose their preferences on their children, even when they can say what they like or dislike, and this can influence their choices in many ways. As we grow up, we dress trying to bring characteristics of those we admire to our appearance, or wear something similar to what the people we admire like. We also seek to distance ourselves from the way people we don't like or don't identify with dress. And, of course, the image that authoritarian parents imposed on us when we couldn't afford to buy our own clothes. Whe...

Let's talk about the fashion shows where the models, and especially the female models, have an exaggerated styling, which scares a lot of people. Those that many people wonder if there are those who wear those clothes off the catwalk, because “nobody” sees stylised people like the models on the streets. Those clothes usually go to stores and are sold. I'll explain why no one sees someone dressed like the models on the streets. This is a post about the fashion clothing that “nobody” wears . And “nobody” in quotes reminds me of Homer’s Odyssey (although Odysseus says his name was NoMan in the passage the expression reminded me of). What some call the fashion industry I separate into: Clothing industry, which encompasses basic apparel, cheap clothes and accessories, and fast fashion. Fashion industry, which is where the original, different creations are, the source from which the clothing industry often drinks, seeking to make cheap and simplified versions of pieces that can ...

Have you noticed that in many cities the options available at local restaurants are very limited? Several cities, especially those that do not give importance to tourism and are not capitals, economic centres, have little variety in terms of gastronomy, have few or no foreign cuisine restaurants, and creative or contemporary gastronomy options are even rarer. From what I observed in the places where I lived, in the trips and research I did, this happens for two main reasons: For accommodation of the local population. When people from a place do not usually travel and get used to the local cuisine as if it were the best in the world without knowing other options. No one in that environment is dedicated to studying cuisines from other parts of the world, let alone opening a restaurant that is different from the options that already exist in the local market, be it foreign cuisine or contemporary/creative cuisine with local ingredients. For not attracting immigrants linked to gastron...

Today I bring you a recipe from Cambodia called Sankhya Lapov. As the title denounces, it's sweet. Surprise your friends with this dessert at the next dinner with them at your house. In the Khmer language, sankhya lapov translates to pumpkin custard. Ingredients : 6 eggs 300g of coconut milk A bit of salt 300g of palm sugar Pandan leaves 2 kabocha squash Directions : Cut a square out of the top of the pumpkins, remove the seeds and clean with water. In a bowl, mix the eggs, coconut milk, salt and padan leaves and mix well with your hands, squeezing the leaves. Strain the mixture. Pour the strained liquid inside the pumpkins. Steam the pumpkins for 50 minutes. Let cool at room temperature. Serve cold, cutting into slices like a pie. Being a Westerner, I suggest bringing the whole pumpkins to the table and slicing them afterwards, to make an impact on people. The naturally sweet flavour of kabocha squash pairs very well with desserts. I also like to puree ...

This text brings the recipe for a typical dessert from Cape Verde, the manioc balls with cane honey. Ingredients : Cassava flour (as much as you need) 3 eggs 1 coffee spoon of bicarbonate of soda 100 ml of olive oil 100 ml of water 300 ml of cane honey 1 glass of brandy Directions : Beat the whole eggs with the honey very well until the dough is whitish. Add the water, brandy and oil, beating constantly. The cassava flour and bicarbonate are then mixed with the other ingredients until a soft dough is obtained, at a point that it is possible to roll. Shape the balls with your hands and place them in a hot oven to bake on a well-greased tray. This is a very simple dessert to prepare. Have you ever visited Cape Verde? Share your experience with us in the comments. Follow my social media profiles for more content about art, culture, style and lifestyle for those who consider the world home. To promote products, services, events and places to my audiences, read the media kit and contact me....

Once you already have in mind where you want to live, it's time to start planning the move to know what needs to be done to make the dream come true. When planning to move to another city or country, it is important to research: Neighbourhoods in the city where you want to live that suit your needs and expectations. Anyone who is used to living in a neighbourhood where you can walk to the supermarket may not feel comfortable in a completely residential neighbourhood. If you have school-age children, having schools close to home can be important. If you know what your needs and expectations are, you know what characteristics the neighbourhoods you are going to consider living in should have. Property features that meet your needs and expectations. What are your needs and expectations regarding the property where you will live? Do you prefer furnished property or buy the furniture and decorate it yourself so the place reflects your identity? Do you prefer house or apartment? Need...

Planning to move to another city or country takes a few steps. In this text I will ask some questions that we must answer before turning the dream of moving to another city into a goal. Where do you want to go? (If you just want to get out of where you are, to almost anywhere, the chances of frustration are high). What reasons do you have to go? Remember the part of the Alice in Wonderland story where the cat explains to the girl that if she doesn't know where she wants to go, she just wants to get out of where she is, any path will lead her to the goal. Note that this does not mean that any path is good. Adult and emotionally mature people, as I assume you are, learn from mistakes and bad experiences and build their references from there. What do you already know about what you want and what you don't want in your life? What kind of life do you want to build in your next destination and how does it help you to build that life? If you are moving to another country for any ...

This text has the recipe of a sweet pastry from Bulgaria called tikvenik. Discover a bit about Bulgaria trying to make it at home. Ingredients : 10-12 pieces of ready-made fine crusts oil   For the mixture : 3 hours  grated raw yellow squash 1 incomplete tsp. chopped walnuts 5-6 tbsp. sugar 1 tsp cinnamon 1 pinch of salt 5-6 tbsp. oil   For the sugar syrup : ½ cup of water ½ cup sugar Directions : Mix the pumpkin with sugar, cinnamon, crushed walnuts, oil and a pinch of salt. Mix them well. Oil a baking tray with a diameter of 34-36 cm. Smear the first sheet of the finished crusts with a little oil, then glue the second sheet. Grease again, put the prepared stuffing on top. With the help of a towel, roll it into a roll. In the same way, wrap the rest of the crusts with the filling.  Finally, wrap all the skins in the shape of a snail, spread oil on top. Put the tikvenik in the pan, bake at 180° C for 40-50 minutes. S...

Continuing the series of desserts of the world, today I share a recipe for the most famous Brazilian dessert, the brigadeiro. Many foreigners don't like Brazilian desserts because they are too sweet. Brigadeiro is often made with chocolate milk and is very sweet. I prefer to make it with 70% cocoa chocolate, and I usually use bar chocolate, but you can use powdered chocolate. Ingredients : One can (395ml) of condensed milk (sweetened) A tablespoon of unsalted butter 100g of 70% cocoa chocolate. Chocolate sprinkles to decorate. Directions : Place all the ingredients, except the chocolate sprinkles, in a small saucepan, place over medium heat and stir with a wooden spoon until the dough comes off the bottom of the pan. Let cool. With the help of a teaspoon, make balls with the dough. Use your hands to shape the balls. Dip each ball in the granulated chocolate and place on a tray with space between the balls so they don't stick together. It’s ready! Variatio...