Hopefully every Swiss living abroad will soon be using Swiss Caran d’Ache pencils to support the economy back home,” wrote the “Correspondenzblatt für die Schweizer und Schweizervereine im Ausland” in 1925. Geneva-based pencil manufacturer Caran d’Ache - still a fledgling company in those days - had just opened a shop in Berlin.  This was the beginning of a success story that saw Swiss writing and colouring products become a global hit. Freelance author Ralph Brühwiler tells the story of Caran d’Ache in a new, lavishly illustrated book. His evocatively written chronicle contains a wealth ..read more

Here's a pairing we didn't see coming: Robert DeNiro and Roger Federer. Ask the Swiss tennis star, recently named the new brand ambassador for Switzerland Tourism, and he'd say the same. “I am a huge fan of his so I couldn't believe he said yes to the campaign,” says Federer, who calls up the Hollywood actor in a new commercial spotlighting Switzerland's spectacular beauty.  The short film features the unlikely duo, split between New York City and Zermatt, with a guest appearance from the towering Matterhorn.  "The outdoors are where Switzerland shines", Federer says, reminiscing on ..read more

ChatterPack is a voluntary-run SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) hub, that works to support families, schools and professionals through sharing practical, respectful advice and information.  To keep boredom at bay and support learning during the coronavirus outbreak, they created a range of online resources, including arts, culture & literature, wellbeing, podcasts, and a home learning list for schools and families during school closures. But their site is so much more, you'll find a range of information, blogs and courses for adults as well. Since France is still unde ..read more

It is Easter weekend... we were suppose to be in Madrid, maybe Ibiza with a bit of luck even in sunny Ticino. However, we are... once again... in lockdown... this time across all of France. Graciously we will not need to fill out a "justificatif de déplacement" every time we leave the house and we are allowed to venture out 10km rather than 1 km but nevertheless the Parisian have all but resigned and the mood is very subdued.  All the French aggressiveness has been sucked out of the people. Obviously amiability is still not Parisians' forte but the city has become more liveable. The lack ..read more

For those of you moving soon, I wish to share a brilliant idea I came across in my favourite facebook Group called "Two Fat Expats". The "Two Fat Expats" believe that expat life should be lived large: Making the most of it, filling it up with as much as you can, and if you’re on the move – enjoying rather than enduring. We all know that it can be really tough being away from family, friends, and familiarity – which is why hopfully Two Fat Expats will provide ideas and inspiration to make your expat life fatter. This group is all about support, encouragement and giggles with a bit of expat ..read more

Positive psychology is defined as the study of "positive subjective experience, positive individual traits, and positive institutions," in other words, of what leads to happiness. One of the founders of positive psychology, Martin Seligman, developed a theory on happiness known as the PERMA model, an acronym for Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and purpose, and Accomplishments — five pillars that are central to a person's feeling of fulfillment. She also points out that the search for happiness is not about experiencing permanent highs, but about living a fulfilled li ..read more

In order to help kids process their emotions about living in the time of Corona, Alexandra McDougall has come up with tools dedicated to helping them.  Check out her flip through guided journal for kids from age 5 to 11 called "Corona Pirates". Full of funny illustrations and thought-provoking questions it allows children to write down their thoughts about everything that has made “Corona normal” quite odd.  Here are some sample questions: We have all learnt new things about ourselves during Corona normal. What have you learnt about yourself? Did you create any special mome ..read more

The origin of International Women's Day (IWD) is drawn from more than one historical event and began as an acknowledgement of women's struggle to make their workplaces better. Created out of protest and political action, it is a symbol for all those who honour women's struggles to improve their lives. Originally the day of remembrance symbolised the efforts to end appalling working conditions endured by women. At the beginning of the twentieth century, many women in industrially-developing countries entered the labour force taking jobs with low wages, poor working conditions and little or no c ..read more

It is normal to feel homesick when you are living away from your home but I start feeling homesick when I return to Switzerland. This manifests itself especially in delicious food. My favourite shopping spree is not to the fancy fashion boutiques but rather a quick runaround the Coop, one of Switzerland's two supermarket giants. Further, I just cannot resist those Early Beck bakery's? Too many temptations in too many shapes and colours. I call it Swiss comfort food... here are some of my favourite. Teatime on the balcony. A chocolate-filled Carac with my tea. Expat Girls favourite: Chiacc ..read more

When my bestie - who has tons of energy and knows the area well - starts sending messages suggesting a variety of activities, I duly take note. They can only be worth checking out. I especially love the ones with names you cannot pronounce unless you're Swiss.  Turns out we needed to cross the "Heimchueweid" to reach "Sparenmoss", a sun-drenched high plateau above Zweisimmen boasting magical vistas of the Bernese Alps, the Simmental and Saanenland. Its peace and tranquillity is a source of strength, plus the vistas are simply good for the soul. I could not be further removed from Paris in ..read more