Lifestyle: Living, Leisure, Work and Wellness

Taalthuis How to learn Dutch online
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Learn Dutch in the time of corona

In these weird coronavirus-times we are going through, we all have to self-isolate in order to help ourselves and our community. Staying at home might be a good opportunity to brush up your Dutch. Nowadays, there is an increased demand for Dutch…
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Don’t forget to be kind to your skin

Even though we are staying indoors and not getting as much fresh air as usual, we can still take steps to make sure our skin is cared for. After all, it is the first thing people notice about you. Here are ten golden rules for how you can highlight…
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Online excursions for April

Yes, we are staying at home for the foreseeable future. Though, we can still remain in touch with the outside world via various channels and take some digital tours thanks to the latest technology. During April, why not schedule time for some…
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Online Income Tax Return Seminars April 2020

Two free Online Income Tax Return Seminars will take place on Saturday 18 April. During the seminars, our business partner Vincent Van Wijgerden of GVN Adviseurs/Expat Taxes will present information about how to file your taxes in the Netherlands,…
Van Gogh
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Vincent van Gogh painting stolen from Singer Laren museum

A Van Gogh masterpiece was stolen during a break-in at the Singer Laren museum, in Laren near Hilversum, said museum officials this Monday afternoon. The Singer Laren museum located to the east of Amsterdam had closed its doors earlier in March…
Singer Laren
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Burglary in Singer Laren museum

There was a break-in last night at the Dutch art museum Singer Laren, that is currently closed because of restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus. The police cannot say whether the burglars have stolen anything. It…
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Does our mood change the taste of wine?

When we are emotionally tired, we are drawn to tastes that cheer us up. Though, don’t be surprised if that bottle you brought back from your last holiday doesn’t quite taste the same at home. Yes, emotions affect the taste of wine and choosing…
Rachel Smets: be limitlessroyalty free (author's own pic; no credit required)
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You are limitless: start creating opportunities

You are confined only by the walls you build yourself. We are born limitless. That's a fact. So why are you limiting yourself? Why are you not living the life you dream of? Stop creating limitations During our lives, years pass by, things…
Corona business
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The coronavirus and your company: government measures to help businesses

This information is provided by Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, KVK | Government.nl | Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO. The coronavirus COVID-19, and the measures taken to restrict the spreading of the coronavirus in the Netherlands, have…
Corona
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Dutch museums closed until 1 June

From the Van Gogh Museum to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, from Frans Hals and Teylers Museum in Haarlem and Kunstmuseum and Louwman Museum in the Hague: as a result of the stricter measures taken by the government on 23 March the major museums…
coronaPhoto by Martin Sanchez on Unsplash
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Dutch crisis committee announces tougher coronavirus measures

The government’s crisis committee met again on Monday afternoon and decided that extra measures are needed to halt the spread of coronavirus in the Netherlands. The Dutch government now bans gatherings until 1 June 2020, gives mayors more…
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Earth Hour 2020: because every little helps, let’s spread the love!

Save the date! It’s happening on Saturday 28 March 2020 at 8:30 pm local time. For one hour, people all over the world will be switching the lights off in their houses, as a show of support for our beautiful, but tired planet. Will you be…
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Around Haarlem during the coronavirus crisis

It is advisable to stay indoors at this time of social distancing. We can still go outside so long as we follow the government’s current guidelines to stay at least 1.5 metres away from other people – this holds true whether you are in the…
carrots vegan foodroyalty free (reuse without attribution)
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Would you consider moving to a meat- and dairy-free diet?

An EU subsidy for meat-related advertising has been making headlines recently. It is claimed that such a subsidy is contrary to the Dutch government’s policy of supporting initiatives that encourage the consumer to choose alternatives to meat…
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Taking time for yourself on this global journey

This article outlines tips for keeping the stress levels down for whenever you next get the chance to go globetrotting. Though, even if your upcoming travel plans have been curtailed at this time, many of these tips are also relevant in today’s…
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What it means to be Irish

For the day that’s in it – the day being St Patrick’s Day (17 March), the day when Irish people across the globe celebrate their deep-rooted identity – how about we do some reminiscing to pre-coronavirus St Patrick’s Days? Fair Éire,…
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Update on new Dutch measures as prime minister addresses the nation

The Dutch prime minister has given a historic live address to the nation to explain the ongoing measures the government is taking. The first new regulations were issued last week in response to the continued rapid spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19),…
coronavirus
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Netherlands closes schools, bars, cafes and restaurants in coronavirus fight

All schools and daycare centres in the Netherlands will be shut from Monday 16 March until at least Monday 6 April in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus. In addition, bars, cafes, restaurants, sex clubs, cannabis cafes, saunas and…
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Tips for tackling infidelity and taking steps to heal

Forgiveness in the face of infidelity is a tough call, but it may be your one saving grace as you begin the process of healing and take steps to moving on with your life, whether that will be in or out of the relationship. Cheating, infidelity,…
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Five books with a feminist focus for International Women’s Day

International Women's Day (Sunday 8 March) is a global day of celebration of the social and political achievements of women and marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. This list contains some of the books that have helped me educate…
kids book museumroyalty free (author's own photo, no credit required)
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A Day Trip to the Children’s Book Museum

The Children’s Book Museum, a museum dedicated to Dutch language children’s books, delights the young and old with beautiful design and creative exhibitions. What could be better that finding a weekend activity for your children that…
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Quick and easy job interview prep tips

Once you’ve made it past the application into the interview phase, your excitement may quickly turn to nerves. Instead of letting your anxiety take over, follow these quick and easy job tips for preparing for an interview so you can walk in…
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Things to do in Haarlem this March

The March agenda offers many and varied opportunities to get out and about. There are practical activities offering help with taxes, choosing schools and improving your Dutch, social events including theatre, comedy and our first monthly drink…
Hand washingRoyalty free with no accreditation required
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Will Dutch hand washing habits improve in order to combat coronavirus?

With the announcement today of the second case of coronavirus in the Netherlands, the advice from authorities is to stay hygienic and keep on top of hand washing habits. The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment…
Housing pricesRoyalty free (re-use without accreditation)
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Housing crisis: Bloemendaal officially branded the most expensive place to buy a house in the Netherlands

Do you remember those golden days, when buying a house didn’t require you to sell an arm, two kidneys, your soul and your first-born child? Yeah, us neither. Due to steady immigration, limited space for new builds, banks’ speculative behaviours…
comedy nights
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Comedy double this March in Haarlem

Get a double dose of laughs during March at the English spoken comedy nights: Haarlem Comedy Cafe (7 March) and Comedy on Top of Haarlem (13 March). Get your tickets soon before they sell out! If you joined us for the comedy night in February,…
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March expatsHaarlem monthly drink

Our next monthly event for expats and Dutchies to get together for a social drink is happening on Saturday 7 March at Cafe de Zwaan. It has been a while since we had our official monthly drink event. Good news: we are back! On the first…
Tackling lonelinessRoyalty free (photo is author's own)
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Stop feeling lonely: two hacks to cure loneliness

How to stop feeling lonely. Good morning! I feel lost, disoriented, invisible, weird, uncertain, new, strange. Today I woke up in a new country alone. I don’t know anything here, I don’t know the area, I don’t know where to…
Dutch wineRoyalty free with no attribution required (from rawpixel)
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Dutch wine: take a tour to discover your new favourite tipple

I know what you are thinking: the Netherlands is famous for its beer and its jenever, but surely not for its wine? Well, we are here to tell you that Dutch wine does exist, and it is a delight to the taste buds. Not only that, in recent years…
code yellow
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Again code yellow in province for strong gusts of wind

For the whole of the Noord-Holland The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) issued code yellow for strong gusts of wind. According to the Dutch national weather institute, there is a risk of heavy gusts of wind up to around…