For Fall

2. Take in the sun.

If you live in Central or Northern Europe, you should start taking your daily vitamin D supplements as from today (up to 2000 IU per day, in oil form), all the way to the start of summer. Vitamin D is probably the most talked about vitamin in recent years, studies have shown an alarming relationship between low vitamin D levels and degenerative diseases such as MS (Multiple Sclerosis), some cancers, and even Alzheimer’s.

Beyond supplements, the sun itself is the best source of well-being for our body and mind. Autumn is an ideal time to sit outside to take in this natural remedy, as the rays are not as strong and the UV levels are lower. Kids will really benefit from it, too. So when the sun comes out this month, get everyone outside!

4. Cook for others.

It would be hard to ignore what is going on in the world these days, so why not try out new recipes and make others happy with your food while you’re at it? We contacted our local refugee asylum centre to find out how we might help with the refugee crisis. We were surprised with the number of requests for home-made food. So here’s where our from-scratch chicken soup and freshly-baked almond tart come in. We have chosen ingredients suitable for everyone, which can be found in Eastern and Mediterranean countries, and at the same time appropriate for colder weather.

If you’d like to receive these two recipes, simply send us an email with the title “cooking for others” and we will send them to you for everyone to enjoy. Photo by Montserrat.

6. Refresh your home.

Ikea knows it well: their busiest time of the year is after the summer holidays. We agree with our friends and clients that fall has more a sense of a “new year” than New Year’s day itself. There are plenty of new resolutions, ideas and plans for the year ahead. One of them is often changing the space around us, perhaps because we were inspired by the light and the colors of our visits to Italy, Spain or Greece, or maybe it has something to do with shedding our old skin, a primal desire to start all over again. Whatever it is that excites you this season, pressing the refresh button can be a wonderfully good thing. Our trend sources (as one of us used to do this for a living), tell us that vintage items, cozy corners, old woods, leathers and deep colors (dark sea blues, mustard yellows, black, and all shades of browns) are among the best ways to comfort ourselves. Nicemakers are the designers behind the Hoxton Hotel’s interior in Amsterdam, a perfect example of cocooning, a place where we love meeting our friends, relaxing on large old leather sofas, sipping warm drinks and engrossed in good conversation.