All posts by fastenurseatbelts

Plastic free to go, please!

When the skies clear up and the outside is beckoning, nothing sounds more tempting than a picnic. The first thing I do when I prep my picnic basket is grab my go-to containers – all from Villeroy & Boch’s To Go collection.

Environmentally-friendly products don’t have to be plastic; this collection is made with high-quality porcelain to be both reusable and stylish. They’re suitable for work places and other occasions too.

Villeroy & Boch, Fasten Ur Seatbelts

To Go Coffee Mug – Succulent

The To Go mug comes in a variety of colors and patterns; the Succulent version is a beautiful white base with a mint green flower print. Aesthetics aside, its silicone seal ensures your drink stays inside. Coupled with the sleeve to protect you from heat, it handles both hot and cold beverages. What makes it perfect for all-day use is that it is microwave-friendly; heat up your coffee or tea anytime!

ToGo & ToStay Lunch Box

These stackable lunch boxes come in white and mint green, separately or as a combo set. With a practical silicone strip that holds them in place, they’re ideal for transporting food. Best yet, the porcelain material make them tasteless and non-toxic; the taste of your food won’t be affected at all. Simply pop it into the microwave to heat up your food, and into the dishwasher for cleanup.

ToGo & ToStay Lunch Box (glass)

You don’t always have to carry a big lunch box around. What I love about this To Go collection is the variety of sizes and shapes their lunch boxes come in. The rounded glass lunch box is perfect for keeping fruits and other colorful items, adding a dash of color to any photos you might take! It’s also great for meal prep since you can look through the glass to keep track of food volume and freshness. I like to use it for smaller, bite-sized food storage.

ToGo & ToStay Glass Bottle

Another frequent-use product that benefits from being plastic free is the ToGo&ToStay Glass Bottle. Have you ever been frustrated with how heavy thermoses can be, yet desperately wanting to bring some hot water out with you? This To Go product is made with sturdy, non-toxic glass and wrapped with a silicone sleeve. Not only is the bottle protected, it’s also a relief for your hands, whether you’re carrying cold or hot drinks. The slim outline makes it practical for every bag, yet offers a generous 0.5 liter capacity.

If you’re looking for something environmentally-friendly, functional and beautiful, definitely check out the To Go collection!

Lafuma Furniture: At Home & To-Go

Lafuma, Fasten Ur Seatbelts, Lafuma Moebel


Steel frames, curved silhouettes, leather backs and technology-treated fabrics – chairs come in all shapes and sizes but not all can claim ‘best fit’. Versatile chairs can be hard to come by, which is why Lafuma stands out. French in production and design, their chairs blend technical solutions with a stylish exterior.

Looking for garden chairs? In-house seating? Foldable chairs for van travel? Tried and tested, the following products are some chair essentials that can be used both in the garden and indoors.

Lafuma, Fasten Ur Seatbelts, Lafuma Moebel

Foldable chairs are magical because you can take them everywhere with you. Lafuma’s Pop Up chair comes extra-large to cradle your body on beach or lawn. Simply slide it out of your ride, smooth out the cover and sink its legs into the sand. You can’t miss it from a distance either; the blue and red stripes mark out your seat.

Lafuma, Fasten Ur Seatbelts, Lafuma Moebel

Going camping in the mountains? Bring a touch of home with you. This soft and padded armchair is a Lafuma classic, combining its dimensional chair legs with a wide back for comfort. In fact, the padding is built with three layers – doesn’t it sound like the best chair to relax into? Opt for it in latte color for an extra dash of homey feel.

Lafuma, Fasten Ur Seatbelts, Lafuma Moebel
Lafuma, Fasten Ur Seatbelts, Lafuma Moebel

You might not need a flexible chair that fits into your weekend drive, but it never hurts to cozy up your patio or balcony. Spend some time outdoors without worrying about how to keep your furniture clean! The Sphinx armchair consists of a specially tempered fabric that is UV resistant. Long to fade and pristine, all it needs is basic care. Wipe down your meditation seat with some soapy water and let it air dry.

Lafuma, Fasten Ur Seatbelts, Lafuma Moebel

You’ve seen it on grass and on tiled flooring – now you’re seeing it by water’s edge. This chair proves to be the perfect outdoor furniture for one last reason: it is treated with antifungal tech to withstand moisture and mold growth. Keep it outside with no worries.

Lafuma, Fasten Ur Seatbelts, Lafuma Moebel

Lafuma’s Bayanne Transat is the sunbed you’ve been waiting for. Not only does the onyx coloring stand out, it is made for relaxation. Snap hooks make adjusting your position easy; you can even lie down for a nap on the patio.

If you’re limited in space, the Lison Chair is a sleek addition. It’s classy too, combination of natural tanned leather and matt white frame. For something more unique, the mint green Cocoon Armchair fits nicely into any living room corner. Amazingly, it feels like you’re sitting on air.

Once you’ve picked out the perfect chair for you, complete your cozy nook with a side table for beverages or books. The mini Vogue side table sits low to match the sunken curve of your lounger; its contemporary design makes it easy to match. With its sturdy frame, this table fits in your garden, poolside or patio. Just sit back and relax!

Lafuma, Fasten Ur Seatbelts, Lafuma Moebel

Simple Christmas Table Setting Ideas

Villeroy & Boch, New Moon, Christmas Table Setting, fasten ur Seatbelts

When the air turns crisp and the cosy knits come out of hiding, we know what’s just around the corner – Christmas! For many of us, this holiday season means friendly gatherings, family dinners and taking turns to host.

As we hurry about trying to plan our Christmas extravaganza, I can’t help but want to spoil ourselves with beautiful decorations around the house. This includes Christmas table settings, whether it’s for a dinner party or a simple Christmas breakfast.

This year, I’m particularly inspired by Scandinavian décor and table settings. Simple but elegant, it’s easy to incorporate this style into your existing dishes. There’s no need to buy special “Christmas” plates and cups that only get used once a year!

If you have dramatic and unique lights like we do, a minimalist table setting matches extremely well.

Christmas Breakfast / Brunch Table Setting

For breakfast, you can add more flair with a centrepiece. Borrowing from Scandinavian design, I chose two long and sleek candles to bracket the main display. Candlelight adds ambiance and warmth to the table.

The centrepiece itself is where Christmas steps in. Evergreen are perfect to use as the base; especially if you have a Christmas tree somewhere in the room. The green makes other elements like the small tree models, gold and red baubles stand out. Notice how the complimentary colours pop without being too noisy?

Tone down the table setting with neutral linens and plates. The off-white mat and simple plate setting makes a statement. To seem more fancy, wrap a branch of mistletoe and napkin in a ring holder. You can even change each napkin and greenery combo – alternate colours with mistletoe berries and green sprigs.

Of course, the highlight of these table settings are the dishes.

As some of you may know, one of my go-to shops for dining ware is Villeroy & Boch. The NewMoon collection is beautiful in its simplicity! You can see the soft curves of the moon in each piece; the asymmetrical rim shows off the shape of a narrow crescent moon.

By combining clean lines, different textures and just a few Christmas elements, you get a beautiful table setting to celebrate the season.

Christmas Dinner Table Setting

The key to a simple but characterful dinner table setting is to let your décor blend in with the linens and dishware.

To minimize clutter, I didn’t use a table runner. Instead, I used larger place mats to mark each place comfortably. Layer two plates (one slightly larger than the other) to create some texture. By folding a napkin like a Christmas tree and pairing it with a sprig of green for colour, I added seasonal elements without overdoing it.

In the narrow strip down the middle of the table, I alternated between small candles in mason jars, tiny cones and slices of oranges to keep the look organic. A longer string of evergreen is positioned at the end of the table. This allows more space for garnishes to be placed within easy reach.

Don’t worry about it looking too “white” – the small pops of nature are visually interesting details!

Villeroy & Boch, New Moon, Christmas Table Setting, fasten ur Seatbelts

300 days of sunshine a year in Algund

Nestled in the lush valley of Lagundo, Italy, is a hotel that reminds us to find balance in our daily lives. We have recently had the pleasure of staying at Hotel Avidea, which blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings.

Starting with a great culinary experience, we enjoyed our meals at the on-site restaurant with a terrace. The kitchen crafted themed menus that changed by the day. Monday treated us to “sweet, wine & dine”, while Tuesday’s “Bella Italia” theme spoilt us with Italian-based dishes for breakfast and dinner. Not only was the plating beautiful, but the textures of each dish was highly enjoyable. The chef is also careful to source his ingredients sustainably.

The idea of balance and wellness is carried out beyond our meals too. Hotel Avidea features a beautiful spa area with a Mediterranean-inspired garden. You can dip into saunas, steam baths, relax in scented treatment rooms and an infinity pool that is both indoors and outdoors. In particular, I love the rooftop spa! They also offer plenty of Yoga treatments (including massages and gentle workouts) out in the woods.

If you love nature, spare time for “Algunder Waalwegs”. This stunning trail is just in front of the hotel, leading into the vineyards and fruit grove.

With 300 sunny days every year, Algund is made for outdoor living. Don’t just admire the Texel Mountains from the lounging decks and the comfort of your bedrooms (even if they’re beautiful).

To make travels more convenient for you, Hotel Avidea offers you a ”South Tyrol GuestPass Algund” – complimentary! The guest card lets you use public transport for free within South Tyrol, as well as free entry to 90+ national museums. You also get discounts on rentals and leisure outlets, so be sure to pencil in at least a day for biking and hiking.

Things to Do

The small, elegant city of Meran and neighbouring Algund will stay in my memory forever.
You can walk the distance to Spa Town Meran – it’s 1.5 hours on foot – or travel 10 minutes by car to explore the beautiful city with loads of shopping possibilities.

  • Visit Meran – Having hosted nobility and royals since 19th century; we get to appreciate stunning architecture like the Pavillon des Fluers, the Kurhaus and the Kurmittelhaus.
  • Walk around the city – 16 hectares of parkland, heritage sites and more are meant to be explored. Don’t miss out on the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, Women’s Museum, Merano Theatre or the panoramic chairlift.
  • Enjoy spa time – Therme Meran Spa is such a relaxing experience.
  • Relax with the Kneipp Course – There are 50 “exercise” stations dotted around Algund so that you can meditate and move outside in nature.
  • Hike the Meran High Mountain Road – This high-Alpine circular hike is one of the most beautiful in Europe. The 100-kilometers long route features plenty of rest stops and cultural landscapes.
  • Bike around Merano – Cover more ground as you cycle around the city and over the mountains.
  • Discover fortresses and castles – There are 400 in South Tyrol, now home to small businesses, museums, wineries and restaurants.

Bose – Stay Home with Great Sound

Bose, Bose Soundbar, Soundbar, Fasten Ur Seatbelts, Bose Home Speaker,

With the pandemic ravaging through 2020 and into 2021, many of us have been encouraged to stay at home – and have most likely developed a ‘stay home’ routine. This shift in habit has made me realize the importance of knowing how to spend time alone, but it doesn’t mean living in silence! Having the right sound at home makes a world of difference.

Bose, known for their superior sound products, offers two must-have items. Designed to be sleek and functional, they’re a great addition to your home.

Whether you’re watching your newest Netflix addiction or listening to music while working, this speaker and soundbar combo enclose you in a bubble of sound.

Bose Smart Soundbar 300

Hook up the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 to the TV with a singular cable. There’s no need to scramble for a remote; the personalized Bose music app makes navigating playlists and stations extremely convenient. Better yet, its Bose Voice4Video technology works with voice services like Alexa and Google Assistant so that you can control the soundbar with a voice command.

Paired with internet, Apple AirPlay2, Spotify Connect and other compatible services, you can access your favorite music anytime, anywhere. Sync it with other Bose products to enjoy the spacious surround through surround speakers or select headphones.

Working to build a surround sound system? The Bose Home Speaker series is exactly what you need for a home theatre.

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Bose Home Speaker 500

Similar to the soundbar, the Home Speaker 500 has built-in voice assistants so you can manage actions with simple voice commands. The personalized Bose music app, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility and streaming service compatibility come with the package too. Its strength lay with its wall-to-wall stereo design, where sound is projected in two directions to bounce off the walls.

While relatively compact, the speakers come with an LCD screen so you can keep track of the six presets at your convenience. You don’t have to worry about voice commands going unheard during parties either; the sensitive microphone array can hear you under room-thumping music.

Both of these products come in black for an overall sleek design. Not only do they up the cool factor of your home, their powerful and great sound will keep you entertained from dawn to dusk. Treat yourself to a premium movie watching or music blasting experience!

Bose, Bose Soundbar, Soundbar, Fasten Ur Seatbelts, Bose Home Speaker,
Bose, Bose Soundbar, Soundbar, Fasten Ur Seatbelts, Bose Home Speaker,

The perfect loungewear set for staying at home

Transformation is the trend of 2020s, proof that comfort and style can go hand-in-hand.  Pair stay home outfit with sneakers or chic accessories and you are ready for the streets. Not convinced? JUVIA’s loungewear offers countless examples of how elegance exists in both flowing maxi dresses and cozy sweatpants.

To help you cope with all seasons, JUVIA features all the comfort wear you can ask for – fleece dresses, light-weight sweaters, cotton-mix sweatpants, satin tops and seasonal color palettes. From contemporary color blocking to characterful prints, JUVIA’s collections are made to be worn at home and casual events.

There’s no better brand for living in style anywhere and anytime. Check out these classic outfits:

Neutral tones carry through every season. Sweatshirts have always been an easy to-match item, so why not complete the set with these milky coffee sweatpants? Roll up the trouser legs to look effortlessly chic.

Tie-dye never loses its appeal, especially in billowing shadows of blue and white. The long-sleeved, oversized look doesn’t just look comfortable – it is comfortable. Snuggle up in this sweatshirt at home or wear out with casual sneakers.

If you’re preparing for an adventure, bring along some patterned pants. This cool zebra-inspired slim leg pants is perfect for some at-home lounging, or to be worn out in the wild. Pockets, rolled hems and drawstring waistband give it a sporty twist.

Summer themed jumpsuits are the best outfits to pack when you’re travelling. They’re light-weight, fit for beach use and function as emergency pajamas. The elastic waist makes it the thing to wear to a yummy buffet; it blends into lounge and city. Sleeveless or long-sleeved, this one-piece casual wear puts you at ease.

When all you want to do is to cozy up under covers and not think about fashion at all, you can’t go wrong with the classic sweatshirt and sweatpants combo. To look both soft and stylish, opt for trendier color combinations like grey and tan-pink. Entertaining guests but not up for dresses? Pair your off-shoulder sweater with slim fit sweats for a sleeker look.

Whether they’re in the shade of ecru, milky coffee or pale pink, Juvia’s slim fit sweatpants is a top pick for all occasions. The soft cotton make gives it a luxurious feel; it offers comfort wherever you happen to be. The accent rolled hems and patch back pocket also elevates the casual wear into something sportier.

If there is one outfit that screams ‘homey but elegant’, is it this set of loungewear. The off-white and simple ‘us’ logo combine to create a picture of unassuming comfort. The zebra-patterned pants add character while the neutral tones keep it low-key.

Coming across JUVIA has made living well so much more effortless. Whether it’s at home, travel or a casual outing, there’s no need to give up comfort for style. If you’re looking for a seasonal treat, why not browse their store?