When you meet people, whether online or in real life, that inspire you, it enriches life. Our inspiration often comes from people and their outlook on life. Nina, better known as Ninamaakt, is one of those amazing creative beings that’s truly inspiring. With a blog, an addictive Instagram account, and online shop filled with cards and prints made by herself, she’s doing it all, whilst still being true to herself. Her illustrations are unique, her stories are personal and honest and her outlook on life is worth sharing. So, that’s what we’re doing. Here’s Nina’s story.

Nina, who and what is Ninamaakt?
“Ninamaakt is my little illustration business. In 2015 I started a webshop with my own illustrated postcards, so I could combine my love for beautiful images, drawing and lovely sentences. I also do commissioned work; like wedding invitations, editorial illustrations and birth announcements.
Ninamaakt is also the name of my Instagram account, on which I share both my personal as my business related adventures. Who I am is a big part of my business, you can’t really separate Ninamaakt from Nina and I love that. It gives me the ability and freedom to follow my heart in everything I do.”

What does your ultimate weekend morning look like?
“Oh, I love weekend mornings. My Saturday mornings almost always start with a breakfast at Hema together with my husband. It’s something we started during the beginning of our relationship and we (especially I) still love it. Although the coffee isn’t the best in town, haha. We spend most Sunday mornings in church, which is the best start of the week for me. It inspires me to live and love more.”

Who I am is a big part of my business, you can’t really separate Ninamaakt from Nina and I love that. It gives me the ability and freedom to follow my heart in everything I do.

How do you create ‘that Sunday feeling’ moments during the week?
“A new thing I added to my morning routine is going for a walk. Seeing the sunrise makes me feel calm and ready for a brand new day. I also love bringing my laptop and sketchbook to a good coffee bar to work there. It’s still working, but a cup of well prepared coffee and the relaxed atmosphere makes it feel just a bit more exciting.”

What, in your opinion, is essential for a great weekend?
“Going for a little adventure. Because I work from home most of the time, the weekend is perfect for a trip together with my husband. It may be as small as some shopping at IKEA, or as big as paying a visit to Nijmegen, my favorite city.”

How do you fight the Monday Blues?
“Ha, I’m not really a Monday Blues kind of person, I guess. On Monday I – most of the time – feel energized and full of inspiration. I feel like I can totally rock the week. Wednesdays are harder, it’s then that I see all the work that still needs to be done, while we’re already halfway through the week.”

I think the world would look a lot better if we would live with a little more wonder.

What makes you truly happy in life?
“There’s an unending list of things that make me happy, but for me there’s this one source of all good things, which is God. Believing this doesn’t make everything easy, but it brings so much meaning and a deep, deep joy into my life. It moves me, in all kinds of ways.”

What song reminds you of happy times?
“’Lalala Love’, by Room Eleven reminds me of when Floris and I got engaged. We made a little stop motion movie to share the news with our family and friends and used that song for it.”

What inspires you?
“The sun, music, colors, friends, coffee bars, podcasts, kind people, big cities, meeting like-minded people and so much more.”

What, in your opinion, should people do more (or less) of?
“I think the world would look a lot better if we would live with a little more wonder. If we could see more magic in the things we’re surrounded by. If we would realize more often how crazy impossible something like music is, or friendship, or a leave falling from a tree, or the pink, purple and orange strokes in the sky are. I think wonder makes a person more happy, thankful and humble. And with more happy, thankful and humble people in the world, it will only get more awesome.”

Shhht, don’t tell anyone..
A giveaway (with Ninamaakt!) will be on the blog soon! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to be the first to know!

All photos used in this blogpost are from Ninamaakt.