While we are busy settling into our new apartment, it felt a little wrong to overlook Christmas entirely. We might be postponing our festivities until our flat, namely our kitchen, is up to the task, but there is something to be said for acknowledging the day. Sugar cookie gorging, turkey roasting and wrapping paper ripping will be on our agenda for next week, but for today, we will be staying low-key, enjoying some park time with Bailey, indulging in a nice meal out that actually contains the four basic food groups, and just taking a forced break from the frantic errand-running that filled our first week in Berlin.
Merry Christmas, happy holidays and more to come next week!
Merry Christmas
December 25, 2013
December 16, 2013
It's hard to believe the time has finally come. Four years, almost to the day, after packing up our lives for a new country, we once again set out on a new adventure, this time to Berlin. Our move to Germany happened so fast, we hardly had time to think about what we would be missing. Again, we have been so focused on getting to Berlin for such a long time, I was only looking ahead and not at what we would be leaving behind: an amazing apartment, a town full of incredible architecture and friends that have become like family in the absence of our own. For all the excitement for our new city, the sadness of what we will miss has also stepped to the forefront of my thoughts.
But Berlin has beckoned and we are answering her call. Today marks the start of our next adventure...
But Berlin has beckoned and we are answering her call. Today marks the start of our next adventure...
December 12, 2013
This Christmas, I'm all about the things I need. OK, there are definite wants, but with major technology and other staples that are worn out to the point of outright failure, my list for Santa is mostly about the basics. Not totally dismissing my frivolous nature, there are of course some goodies that have caught my eye too...
Red plaid anything | There's just something about red plaid - from buffalo check to traditional - that just feels so seasonally appropriate. I only wish this scarf from Zara hadn't already disappeared from their shelves.
New lifeline (aka, phone) | After a few years of near-constant use, my current iPhone is hitting the wall of functionality to the point that any day now I will wake up to a phone that will not even turn on. Since it is such an every day item, I say why not spurge for the pretty new gold 5s, and while I'm at it, an even prettier gold-accented case.
Pretty sweatshirt | Still on my sweatshirt kick from earlier this year, I'm loving this geometric metallic version right now. Of course, there's always the Garance one I'm still pining for as well...
Macbook | On my computer perhaps even more so now than in college, I think it's time for a better machine. Really, just one that doesn't crash at least twice a day would be nice.
Universal charger | With big plans to tour around our new city in the coming months, being able to get my devices charged all day long will be key. This pretty charger means I can keep Instagramming in style.
Flannel PJs | In the winter, there's nothing better than snuggling up in cozy flannel pajamas. With my long limbs, men's work best. These dark grey and classic blackwatch plaid versions are topping my list.
Naturally rosy cheeks | With my unforgiving new haircut, my prominent cheekbones are front and center. What softens androgynous hair more than some feminine, pink cheeks? This blush from Josie Maran has my name written all over it.
A little sparkle | In addition to my cheek bones, my earlobes are also on constant, full display now. This definitely calls for a little sparkle with a little touch of toughness. These studs are perfect.
Black skinnies | Urban life seems to call for more black in one's wardrobe and basic black skinnies are surprisingly missing from my closet. These seem like just the ticket for my Berlin attire.
How about you - what's on your Christmas list? And more importantly, have you been naughty or nice this year..?
Red plaid anything | There's just something about red plaid - from buffalo check to traditional - that just feels so seasonally appropriate. I only wish this scarf from Zara hadn't already disappeared from their shelves.
New lifeline (aka, phone) | After a few years of near-constant use, my current iPhone is hitting the wall of functionality to the point that any day now I will wake up to a phone that will not even turn on. Since it is such an every day item, I say why not spurge for the pretty new gold 5s, and while I'm at it, an even prettier gold-accented case.
Pretty sweatshirt | Still on my sweatshirt kick from earlier this year, I'm loving this geometric metallic version right now. Of course, there's always the Garance one I'm still pining for as well...
Macbook | On my computer perhaps even more so now than in college, I think it's time for a better machine. Really, just one that doesn't crash at least twice a day would be nice.
Universal charger | With big plans to tour around our new city in the coming months, being able to get my devices charged all day long will be key. This pretty charger means I can keep Instagramming in style.
Flannel PJs | In the winter, there's nothing better than snuggling up in cozy flannel pajamas. With my long limbs, men's work best. These dark grey and classic blackwatch plaid versions are topping my list.
Naturally rosy cheeks | With my unforgiving new haircut, my prominent cheekbones are front and center. What softens androgynous hair more than some feminine, pink cheeks? This blush from Josie Maran has my name written all over it.
A little sparkle | In addition to my cheek bones, my earlobes are also on constant, full display now. This definitely calls for a little sparkle with a little touch of toughness. These studs are perfect.
Black skinnies | Urban life seems to call for more black in one's wardrobe and basic black skinnies are surprisingly missing from my closet. These seem like just the ticket for my Berlin attire.
How about you - what's on your Christmas list? And more importantly, have you been naughty or nice this year..?
December 10, 2013
Our living room in Wiesbaden is perhaps my favorite room in that apartment, and perhaps my favorite living room I've ever had. With deep, stony-blue walls and high ceilings with amazingly-detailed moulding, it sits in the middle of the apartment and serves as the heart of the home, where we entertain, eat dinner, hang out. In Berlin, our living room may boast a balcony, but otherwise is a much different space with some definite design challenges. The dramatic white stucco and moulding will be replaced by the clean, simple lines of new walls. The square-shaped, open space we have now with doors and windows on every wall becomes a long, rectangular room, accessible only from a single door at the far end. Without all the rich details built into the space, the room will need a bit more work to create just the right depth and warmth.
Additionally, I always like a good excuse for change. So instead of once again doing a dark, almost stately color for the walls, I am opting for light and warm. This room has to not only double as the dining space, but it is also to be my workspace, meaning a lot will be demanded of it. With lighter colors, brighter rugs and a lot more white brought in through the furniture and decor, I'm hoping to make it a happy, creative space that can offer a respite from the grey that often dominates Berlin's landscape. Just one more week...
Additionally, I always like a good excuse for change. So instead of once again doing a dark, almost stately color for the walls, I am opting for light and warm. This room has to not only double as the dining space, but it is also to be my workspace, meaning a lot will be demanded of it. With lighter colors, brighter rugs and a lot more white brought in through the furniture and decor, I'm hoping to make it a happy, creative space that can offer a respite from the grey that often dominates Berlin's landscape. Just one more week...
pillow covers | ladder storage | gold chandelier | Deer wall art via Ouch | Ikea hack table via Triple Max Tons
December 6, 2013
Imagine my surprise when I realized what I thought was just another promotional email from Warby Parker turned out to be an e-gift card from a very thoughtful and generous friend for a new pair of glasses. What a Christmas surprise! My intense focus on all things related to our move, not to mention the rather greedy-girl admission that I was already lamenting the probable lack of presents this year due to our poorly-timed relocation, means my mind-set was on apartment necessities and weeks of take-out (since sadly, Santa will not be bringing us a kitchen by Christmas), not frivolous wish list items. This incredible gift has just turned all my expectations about holiday indulgences this year on its head.
So this very lucky lady has the difficult task of trying to decide which frames to splurge on next (I know, life is rough, right?). I've rounded up my favorites above and now the hard part begins. Admittedly, I've had the Arthur frames bookmarked as 'my next WPs' since they came out. But while I tend to stick with more traditional shapes and tones, something about the subtly-colored Theos and Edgeworths have me pining for them as well. Further complicating the decision, there's my face shape to consider: kind of oval, yet kind of square with high, prominent cheekbones. Like Skeletor, with a larger forehead. As soon as I think I know what I've decided, I keep going back around to the other choices. Warby Parker, why must you have so many wonderful frames to choose from?
For those of you who know me beyond the internet, or have just followed my blogs long enough, I am sure you are tired of me banging on about my love affair with Warby Parker. At under $100 for frames with a prescription AND donating a pair to someone in need for each one sold, I think they deserve to win company of the year, like, forever. With my extremely poor eyesight and adverse reaction to contacts - in addition to a somewhat capricious fashion sense - they are pretty much a life-saver in my book. If you need help seeing on a day-to-day basis and pine for stylish frames that won't break the bank - not to mention give you the warm fuzzies for their altruistic practices - it's time to check out Warby Parker.
Which ones do you think I should choose..?
December 5, 2013
Just in case you missed it (like I did, since I'm basically buried under all things moving-related), my post on Paris was featured yesterday on the lovely and talented JoAnna's blog For the Intolerants for it's Creation Curation series on Top Travel Blogs. The series is a collaboration with Nyssa of The Cultureur, which came about from their successful #SeeTheWorld chats on Twitter, where they discuss a new destination every week. Always an honor to be recognized by fellow bloggers, it's also telling to be in such company as Jess in Belgium (now in London), who I have admired for some time for her lovely writing voice, lovely photos and equally lovely Instagram feed. I highly recommend you check out JoAnna's, Nyssa's and Jess's work, as well as the rest of the contributors to the series for more great travel posts.
Thanks again for the mention, JoAnna. Here's to finally meeting in person someday soon so we can talk travel, food and fashion!
Thanks again for the mention, JoAnna. Here's to finally meeting in person someday soon so we can talk travel, food and fashion!
December 4, 2013
Freshly back from our final apartment planning trip and still a little shell-shocked from the Ikea kitchen planning process, the countdown has officially begun until we make that last pilgrimage to Berlin with all our belongings in tow. Thirteen more days... Oh yeah, and I'm seriously in love with my new boots.
December 2, 2013
This is one that took a little TLC. When I first came across the recipe, it sounded good enough, but the online comments were full of people proclaiming it 'bland' and even the ingredients sounded a little flat. With my then-very remedial cooking skills, I used the more seasoned cooks' commentary and a little of my personal preferences to figure out what additions and substitutions would make this a worthwhile meal. The coconut milk and Sriracha make this a bit more of a spicy curry sauce and the vegetables make it a more well-rounded dinner. What started out as a so-so recipe has become one of our spicy and satisfying cold-weather staples. Hopefully, you will come to enjoy it as much as we do.
Ginger Curried Chicken and Vegetables
1/3 cup + 2 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup coconut milk
2-4 tbsp Sriracha (adjust to heat preferences)
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tbsp curry powder
1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
1-1/4 tsp ground cumin
1 medium onion, chopped
3-4 cups various chopped vegetables (I like zucchini, carrots, red bell pepper and small, quartered potatoes*)
4 chicken breasts, cut into medium-sized chunks
salt and pepper
1-1/2 cups jasmine rice
1/2 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
2 green onions, thinly sliced
Pre-heat oven to 325F/160C on convection setting. In a 4-6 quart dutch oven, whisk together the tomato paste, coconut milk, Sriracha, garlic, curry powder, ginger and cumin. Add onion and vegetables, stir to combine. Place chicken on top and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook until chicken is cooked through and tender, about an hour, checking and stirring contents after about 45 minutes. Twenty minutes before serving, cook rice according to directions. Just before serving, add the yogurt and 1/2 tsp more salt to curry and stir to combine. Serve with the rice and sprinkle with chopped green onion.
* If using potatoes, boil first for about 5-7 minutes to soften before adding them to the pot
Adapted from this Real Simple recipe
Ginger Curried Chicken and Vegetables
1/3 cup + 2 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup coconut milk
2-4 tbsp Sriracha (adjust to heat preferences)
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tbsp curry powder
1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
1-1/4 tsp ground cumin
1 medium onion, chopped
3-4 cups various chopped vegetables (I like zucchini, carrots, red bell pepper and small, quartered potatoes*)
4 chicken breasts, cut into medium-sized chunks
salt and pepper
1-1/2 cups jasmine rice
1/2 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
2 green onions, thinly sliced
Pre-heat oven to 325F/160C on convection setting. In a 4-6 quart dutch oven, whisk together the tomato paste, coconut milk, Sriracha, garlic, curry powder, ginger and cumin. Add onion and vegetables, stir to combine. Place chicken on top and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook until chicken is cooked through and tender, about an hour, checking and stirring contents after about 45 minutes. Twenty minutes before serving, cook rice according to directions. Just before serving, add the yogurt and 1/2 tsp more salt to curry and stir to combine. Serve with the rice and sprinkle with chopped green onion.
* If using potatoes, boil first for about 5-7 minutes to soften before adding them to the pot
Adapted from this Real Simple recipe
November 29, 2013
The fair isle sweater has long been a mainstay of the season, especially when adorned with snowflakes or Christmas trees. But we've come a long way since the limiting choices of basic knits or gaudy pom-pom-encrusted holiday sweaters. Instead of producing more of the same, J.Crew and Boden are a testament to what the oft-formulaic patterned sweater has become - chic, new and different. These patterned wonders are a far cry from their tacky predecessors, reinvented and ranging from subtle to eye-catching. There are creatively-knitted stripes to traditional patterns made from jewels. And who could forget first spying that amazing stained glass pattern at J.Crew's fall preview months ago? I die for that print - and would consider going broke to get it. A self-proclaimed sweater junkie, I really don't need anymore knits, but Christmas lists are more about what you want rather than a boring old need, right..?
November 26, 2013
It is that time of year again: Open Cellar Days at several wineries in the Rheingau. When we first heard of this years back, the Californians in us were astounded to learn that local wineries would open their doors - and countless bottles of wine - to the public, usually twice a year, for free. Coming from the wine world of Napa, where tastings rarely occur without a fee, a watchful eye and a hard sales pitch, this relaxed, come and enjoy as much as wine as you can pour in our garden/tasting room/underground cellar felt like the way wine was meant to be experienced. After this most wonderful discovery, we have yet to miss one of these highly-anticipated weekends.
With our budget under lock and key for the big move to Berlin next month, we were hardly in a position to go and stock up in the manner that we tend to, but we couldn't pass up perhaps the last opportunity to spend some time in our now-favorite wine region before it's no longer just down the Autobahn. Not only does Trenz do some of the wines we reach for most often - like its Johannisberger Riesling Kabinett, Rosé Sekt and the syrupy-sweet peach wine liquor that goes perfectly splashed in a glass of bubbly - but the owner is as un-stuffy and approachable as his wine. Michael Trenz's floppy hair, smiling eyes and well-worn Chucks are perhaps the last thing you would expect from a successful German winemaker, but this is what greets you as you peruse the selections out to try. In his almost California-like, laid-back demeanor, he will introduce himself and proudly explain the latest wines they have created, as well as asking how you feel about what you are drinking. His kindness and wine making skills will be greatly missed after our move. Thank goodness for shipping.
As if the cool cellar, friendly atmosphere and wonderful wine weren't enough, Trenz also has a really great restaurant. Falling somewhere between traditional German and modern cuisine, the menu boasts offerings beyond the usual, heavy regional fare and rotates often around the seasons - though you can't go wrong with its Riesling cream soup or traditional Flammkuchen - just the kind of eating we look forward to more of in Berlin. We left the tasting weekend with happy bellies and a very reasonably-sized box of wine.
It's going to be tough not to be just down the road from the likes of these wineries anymore (other local favorites of note: Prinz von Hessen and Goldatzel), but we realize we are trading one good thing for another, with much to look forward to in Berlin. Even without something as fantastical as a fountain that flows Sekt, I'm sure that we will make room on our calendar to come back down for small wine events such as these, not to mention the amazing countryside and dear friends we will have left behind. Here's to you, Rheingau - we will miss you. Zum Wohl!
Weingut Trenz
Schulstraße 1
65366 Geisenheim, Germany
www.weingut-trenz.de
With our budget under lock and key for the big move to Berlin next month, we were hardly in a position to go and stock up in the manner that we tend to, but we couldn't pass up perhaps the last opportunity to spend some time in our now-favorite wine region before it's no longer just down the Autobahn. Not only does Trenz do some of the wines we reach for most often - like its Johannisberger Riesling Kabinett, Rosé Sekt and the syrupy-sweet peach wine liquor that goes perfectly splashed in a glass of bubbly - but the owner is as un-stuffy and approachable as his wine. Michael Trenz's floppy hair, smiling eyes and well-worn Chucks are perhaps the last thing you would expect from a successful German winemaker, but this is what greets you as you peruse the selections out to try. In his almost California-like, laid-back demeanor, he will introduce himself and proudly explain the latest wines they have created, as well as asking how you feel about what you are drinking. His kindness and wine making skills will be greatly missed after our move. Thank goodness for shipping.
As if the cool cellar, friendly atmosphere and wonderful wine weren't enough, Trenz also has a really great restaurant. Falling somewhere between traditional German and modern cuisine, the menu boasts offerings beyond the usual, heavy regional fare and rotates often around the seasons - though you can't go wrong with its Riesling cream soup or traditional Flammkuchen - just the kind of eating we look forward to more of in Berlin. We left the tasting weekend with happy bellies and a very reasonably-sized box of wine.
It's going to be tough not to be just down the road from the likes of these wineries anymore (other local favorites of note: Prinz von Hessen and Goldatzel), but we realize we are trading one good thing for another, with much to look forward to in Berlin. Even without something as fantastical as a fountain that flows Sekt, I'm sure that we will make room on our calendar to come back down for small wine events such as these, not to mention the amazing countryside and dear friends we will have left behind. Here's to you, Rheingau - we will miss you. Zum Wohl!
Weingut Trenz
Schulstraße 1
65366 Geisenheim, Germany
www.weingut-trenz.de
November 22, 2013
I had my eye on Madewell's oh dear sweater ever since I saw it in one its autumn previews. Cute without being cutesy, and rustic while still reading feminine. I love that it plays into the whole reindeer Christmas sweater vibe, without being relegated solely to holiday wear. The price was enough to keep me from jumping on it, but it sold out before I even had the chance to wait for a promotion with which to afford it.
So when I stumbled upon H&M's version tucked away on a rack - before it's current prominent display at the front of the store - at a fraction of the price, how could I resist? Not only is it legitimate intarsia, but I think the design is even better. And since I could pretty much live in grey sweaters, that was just another big plus in my book. Give me some Bean Boots, an ear-flap hat and perhaps this phone cover, and I am all set for seasonally-appropriate dressing.
So when I stumbled upon H&M's version tucked away on a rack - before it's current prominent display at the front of the store - at a fraction of the price, how could I resist? Not only is it legitimate intarsia, but I think the design is even better. And since I could pretty much live in grey sweaters, that was just another big plus in my book. Give me some Bean Boots, an ear-flap hat and perhaps this phone cover, and I am all set for seasonally-appropriate dressing.
Madewell oh dear sweater (sold out) | H&M deer sweater
November 20, 2013
Our apprehension about the bare walls and subfloor, along with not knowing exactly what our finished apartment would look like was met with reassurances that we would be able to choose the professionally-finished tiles and wall colors, as well taking our advice on putting in a small pantry in the kitchen for that coveted Berlin apartment storage space. Waiting anxiously for photos, and more importantly, an update to know when to schedule our next trip up to make decisions and take final measurements to order our kitchen with, we finally saw the progress... and my heart dropped. All those concessions we had made in exchange for the opportunity to really make this place our own were were now just negatives in an apartment that was looking less and less like what were expecting with each photo we saw.
Instead of allowing us to choose the tiles as promised, the wall ones had already gone up - and are the cheapest-looking tiles I've ever seen and are clearly meant for a floor, not a kitchen backsplash. They are perhaps even uglier than the old ones in our current dilapidated apartment that I painstakingly stripped and painted. Even worse, the tiles before - especially in the bathroom - were much nicer. Instead of these new massive, bargain-bin-looking tiles, they were carefully chosen and of better quality. There were nice details, like a tile border and the tub even had a mosaic tile front. What were they thinking of with these changes other than budget? We were told that for a Prenzlauer Berg apartment, everything would have to be top-notch quality. My personal aesthetic is all for simple, but this is kind of a joke. Well so far, I think it's looking more like a cramped, cheap hotel than a new apartment undergoing a 50.000€ renovation in one of the nicest parts of town. Maybe I'm just not seeing the whole picture yet...
Poor aesthetics aside, there's also the issue of how the actual space has worked out. Yeah, that pantry we were so excited that they were on board with putting in? It's so big, it could qualify as a fourth room! Great for storage, but it has eaten up so much of the space in our third room, that having overnight guests has gone from cramped to impossible. The bare minimum of furniture we had planned to bring with us for the room will now not even fit.
So I sit here, the majority of my hopes and expectations for this apartment fading fast, and try to decide what to do next. Do we push back and insist they take down those horrible kitchen tiles? Do we just ignore that we were mislead and pay to have them re-done upon moving in? And how are we expected to make flooring and paint color decisions in the next couple days, with minimal notice and no time to travel up there to see the choices in the space and convey our wishes in person? My head is spinning around all these issues I thought were sure things I had already checked off my 'stress list', but it appears they are back with a vengeance and requiring immediate attention. While it's far from a disaster, I'm currently experiencing some major renter's remorse at choosing this apartment.
While we try to sort all this out, I'm trying to breathe deep and focus on the positives... like that sunny, gorgeous balcony view that made me fall in love with the apartment in the first place.
November 15, 2013
Colorblocking is the trend that just won't quit. What began many seasons ago as the super bold, not-always-the-most-flattering combinations of colors and pattern, has morphed into this wardrobe stand-by that has expanded to include the subtle, like simple sweater trims, and more luxe, like leather blocking on investment pieces. I, for one, am a big fan of this more chic and understated take on the trend - and my broad shoulders are heaving a sigh of relief at the move away from the ubiquitous high-across-the-chest colorblocking of seasons past that I couldn't wear without looking like a linebacker. That seriously chic cashmere and leather coat and the gold-bottomed satchel have a definite place on my most wanted right now list.
November 13, 2013
I don't even remember when I first discovered Cougar Boots, but I quickly fell in love after receiving my first pair a couple years back: the Moola boot (which sadly appears to have since been discontinued). Not only are they actually pretty nice-looking for a boot that's really about function first and foremost, but they are the warmest shoes I own - warmer than my knee-high UGG Broomes and even warmer than North Face snow boots. Those Canadians clearly know what they are doing. For this Californian soon-to-be-Berliner, keeping all my little piggies intact is a top priority, to the point where fashion might even (gasp!) take a back seat.
While many of its boot styles are a bit lacking in, well, style, Cougar really hit the mark on bringing back its pillow boot from the 1970s in various incarnations. I think it strikes just the right 'I'm utilitarian and not trying too hard', à la Bean Boots, that they are the perfect addition for more fashionable folks who also consider functionality - not to mention the whole 'I'm not trying too hard' vibe - to be a worthwhile investment. I'm seriously pining for the classic pair in rust and in a major way for the rather badass wedge version in black. I don't think any drugged-out-of-their-minds, bloodied-hands crazies in Neukölln would mess with me in those (happened once and I'm convinced owning said boots would ensure it not to happen again). That said, there's the trouble of actually finding them for purchase...
Back in 2011, Canadian - and I believe some NYC - bloggers were sent these revamped classics for review and promotion, and a dedicated website appeared. Smart moves. Get the buzz goin'. But two years later, an empty Instagram account stating 'we're just getting started!' (um, haven't they been around since the 1940s..?) and a rather disjointed Facebook page, with everything from hair tutorials via The Beauty Department to random birthday shout-outs to teen dreams featured alongside its styles I would associate more with the senior citizen set feels a little like they are throwing darts in the dark. And yet, where's the info on how a non-Canadian can actually order said boots...(???). Cougar, you can't get us all worked up and then leave us hanging! I think these have the potential to reach hipster-y, cult Bean Boot status, Cougar just needs to get all its cute Canadian ducks in a row. Hmm. Any chance they want to hire an American living in Europe to manage marketing strategy and content for them...? Well, I'm here - and I would be happy to work for shoes.
All images via Cougar's Pillow Boot site
While many of its boot styles are a bit lacking in, well, style, Cougar really hit the mark on bringing back its pillow boot from the 1970s in various incarnations. I think it strikes just the right 'I'm utilitarian and not trying too hard', à la Bean Boots, that they are the perfect addition for more fashionable folks who also consider functionality - not to mention the whole 'I'm not trying too hard' vibe - to be a worthwhile investment. I'm seriously pining for the classic pair in rust and in a major way for the rather badass wedge version in black. I don't think any drugged-out-of-their-minds, bloodied-hands crazies in Neukölln would mess with me in those (happened once and I'm convinced owning said boots would ensure it not to happen again). That said, there's the trouble of actually finding them for purchase...
Back in 2011, Canadian - and I believe some NYC - bloggers were sent these revamped classics for review and promotion, and a dedicated website appeared. Smart moves. Get the buzz goin'. But two years later, an empty Instagram account stating 'we're just getting started!' (um, haven't they been around since the 1940s..?) and a rather disjointed Facebook page, with everything from hair tutorials via The Beauty Department to random birthday shout-outs to teen dreams featured alongside its styles I would associate more with the senior citizen set feels a little like they are throwing darts in the dark. And yet, where's the info on how a non-Canadian can actually order said boots...(???). Cougar, you can't get us all worked up and then leave us hanging! I think these have the potential to reach hipster-y, cult Bean Boot status, Cougar just needs to get all its cute Canadian ducks in a row. Hmm. Any chance they want to hire an American living in Europe to manage marketing strategy and content for them...? Well, I'm here - and I would be happy to work for shoes.
All images via Cougar's Pillow Boot site
November 11, 2013
With all the packing and selling and planning for our Berlin move, my cooking mojo has taken a bit of a hit. There are days when my husband has come home from work and I have to tell him to fend for himself because I have not the motivation, the hunger nor the time to make something happen. On such occurances, I feel terribly guilty. But on the weekends, when my husband gets excited about a recipe he has found and asks if he can cook dinner, I gratefully sit back and let him be master of the kitchen.
This weekend, as soon as he started asking for specific spices and mentioned he had to find raw chorizo while at the grocery, I could hardly contain my excitement. Anything spicy is always a treat when living amongst a culture with an aversion so strong to spice of the heat variety, anyone with a love of Mexican or authentic, belly-burning Indian knows that to enjoy any of these cuisines, you're going to have to cook it yourself - and likely have to import the ingredients as well. So when my husband actually managed to find some spicy raw sausage (at Hit, if anyone's looking...), that two-hour wait time for this slow-cooked, stewy goodness felt a bit like torture.
Now, let me just say, I'm extremely lucky that my husband not only knows how to cook, but has an appreciation for good food perhaps even stronger than mine. I have never been disappointed in anything he has brought to the table. That said, when I took my first bite of this Mexican street food, complete with chunks of red potatoes, pretty decent avocado (also notoriously hard to find in Germany) and nice, sharp shredded cheddar, I declared it the best thing he has made yet. Even my burning lips couldn't stop smiling with delight. Two thumbs way, way up.
Pork Tinga recipe from Food & Wine
This weekend, as soon as he started asking for specific spices and mentioned he had to find raw chorizo while at the grocery, I could hardly contain my excitement. Anything spicy is always a treat when living amongst a culture with an aversion so strong to spice of the heat variety, anyone with a love of Mexican or authentic, belly-burning Indian knows that to enjoy any of these cuisines, you're going to have to cook it yourself - and likely have to import the ingredients as well. So when my husband actually managed to find some spicy raw sausage (at Hit, if anyone's looking...), that two-hour wait time for this slow-cooked, stewy goodness felt a bit like torture.
Now, let me just say, I'm extremely lucky that my husband not only knows how to cook, but has an appreciation for good food perhaps even stronger than mine. I have never been disappointed in anything he has brought to the table. That said, when I took my first bite of this Mexican street food, complete with chunks of red potatoes, pretty decent avocado (also notoriously hard to find in Germany) and nice, sharp shredded cheddar, I declared it the best thing he has made yet. Even my burning lips couldn't stop smiling with delight. Two thumbs way, way up.
Pork Tinga recipe from Food & Wine
November 8, 2013
When I was walking through town the other day to go to my doctor's and poke my head in a few shops (just to look, I swear...), I passed by massive trucks unloading what looked to be construction materials. Then I saw them: the booths for the Christmas market. It was already that time again. But my recognition of the appallingly early start to Christmas was quickly surpassed by an unexpected sting in my eyes. This was it. This was our last Wiesbaden Christmas market before we move to Berlin. And it hit me like a ton of bricks.
The Wiesbaden Sternschnuppenmarkt, or twinkling star market, was one of our first introductions to life in Germany. We had just arrived in the country as a family a week before Christmas - long before all our furniture was to arrive - living in a cavernous, empty apartment, with no presents, no tree and no idea the impact the life decision we had just made would have. We spent the days leading up to Christmas at the Markt, comforting the loneliness with mugs of hot Glühwein and sausages awkwardly tucked into small round bread, as we took in what was now our life.
Four years later, the magic of these markets has not faded, but perhaps we have started to take them a bit for granted with our focus on getting to Berlin. I have been lost in recent weeks to visions of more abundant restaurants, plans for the kitchen we must buy and slowly acknowledging just how much stuff I am going to have to pack, I nearly forgot the long holiday season before us and our final days at our Weihnachtsmarkt with the dear friends we have made here.
This holiday market has been a savior to us in the dark, cold, lonely days of the German Christmas season, when sometimes all you wish for is that family recipe you've enjoyed every holiday since childhood or simply to kiss your mother goodnight on Christmas Eve. It is hard to compete with that nostalgia and tradition and with family, but the German markets are perhaps the best antidote to this sadness. The crazed, stressed feeling of the holidays in the States has been replaced with happy excitement, making us anxious to see that first strand of Christmas lights go up and have that first mug of Glühwein for the season warming our hands. It is not about everything we need to buy or any self-imposed to-do lists filled with things that aren't really important. It's about those days spent under the sprawling lights, getting warm and perhaps a little tipsy on hot alcohol and a sugar high from sticky sweet Schaumküsse and sugared nuts, huddling with friends in the freezing rain and snow and just feeling completely content.
We have toured around Germany and found more spectacular Märkte and even better Glühwein, but Wiesbaden's Christmas market will always be a symbol of our decision to become expats. I'm sure we will be back to visit friends over the holidays in years to come, but it will no longer be ours. We will just be visitors. But until then, we will take in this last market with fervor, alternately throwing our lives into boxes and stuffing our faces with the spoils of the season. Here's to you Wiesbaden - it's been amazing journey. I will raise my last mug of Glühwein this year in your honor.
The 2009 Wiesbaden Sternschnuppenmarkt
The Wiesbaden Sternschnuppenmarkt, or twinkling star market, was one of our first introductions to life in Germany. We had just arrived in the country as a family a week before Christmas - long before all our furniture was to arrive - living in a cavernous, empty apartment, with no presents, no tree and no idea the impact the life decision we had just made would have. We spent the days leading up to Christmas at the Markt, comforting the loneliness with mugs of hot Glühwein and sausages awkwardly tucked into small round bread, as we took in what was now our life.
Four years later, the magic of these markets has not faded, but perhaps we have started to take them a bit for granted with our focus on getting to Berlin. I have been lost in recent weeks to visions of more abundant restaurants, plans for the kitchen we must buy and slowly acknowledging just how much stuff I am going to have to pack, I nearly forgot the long holiday season before us and our final days at our Weihnachtsmarkt with the dear friends we have made here.
This holiday market has been a savior to us in the dark, cold, lonely days of the German Christmas season, when sometimes all you wish for is that family recipe you've enjoyed every holiday since childhood or simply to kiss your mother goodnight on Christmas Eve. It is hard to compete with that nostalgia and tradition and with family, but the German markets are perhaps the best antidote to this sadness. The crazed, stressed feeling of the holidays in the States has been replaced with happy excitement, making us anxious to see that first strand of Christmas lights go up and have that first mug of Glühwein for the season warming our hands. It is not about everything we need to buy or any self-imposed to-do lists filled with things that aren't really important. It's about those days spent under the sprawling lights, getting warm and perhaps a little tipsy on hot alcohol and a sugar high from sticky sweet Schaumküsse and sugared nuts, huddling with friends in the freezing rain and snow and just feeling completely content.
We have toured around Germany and found more spectacular Märkte and even better Glühwein, but Wiesbaden's Christmas market will always be a symbol of our decision to become expats. I'm sure we will be back to visit friends over the holidays in years to come, but it will no longer be ours. We will just be visitors. But until then, we will take in this last market with fervor, alternately throwing our lives into boxes and stuffing our faces with the spoils of the season. Here's to you Wiesbaden - it's been amazing journey. I will raise my last mug of Glühwein this year in your honor.
The 2009 Wiesbaden Sternschnuppenmarkt
November 7, 2013
I have a serious weakness for men's sweaters. Perhaps it's my abnormally long arms or just a propensity to be cold (all. the. time.), but for me there's nothing like cuddling up inside a roomy men's sweater when the weather starts to turn. Color and pattern that pops amidst the dreariness is a bonus. And who can dismiss the mother of all cozy patterned cardigans: Pendleton.
With even vintage "The Dude" versions, complete with holes and stains, going for up to $500 on eBay, you know you can't even consider Pendleton without some serious budget to invest. While one of these sweaters will likely remain on my 'ultimate list' for a lifetime, I could be perfectly happy with something equally cozy and colorful, but for a lot less. This one I spied at H&M the other day is thick, warm and in a larger size, could double as a sweater coat. Sold!
With even vintage "The Dude" versions, complete with holes and stains, going for up to $500 on eBay, you know you can't even consider Pendleton without some serious budget to invest. While one of these sweaters will likely remain on my 'ultimate list' for a lifetime, I could be perfectly happy with something equally cozy and colorful, but for a lot less. This one I spied at H&M the other day is thick, warm and in a larger size, could double as a sweater coat. Sold!
November 6, 2013
I know I swore that our next apartment would look less like an Ikea showroom, but with a kitchen kind of required to be able to move in and you know, live, the option to pick and choose each piece for this room over time is a luxury we can't afford, in either time or money. Sure, we can add bits and pieces that make it feel more unique later on, but ultimately, we've got to get our order in ASAP for cabinets, countertops, a sink and the like, so that we can feed ourselves upon moving in next month - and Ikea is the place to do that. Oh, the joys of having to buy and install your own kitchen in German apartments... On the plus side, it means designing my cooking space to my needs, a luxury in America reserved only for those taking the massive leap to owning their own home.
Since I'm a fan of a cleaner, more modern aesthetic - with industrial and rustic touches - simple, inexpensive Ikea cabinets and a wood countertop will do just fine. The style I want to bring to it will be more through the use of a bold black wall (walls..?), open shelving and some great accent pieces, like those beautiful copper measuring tools and hopefully a fantastic towel - or two - from the amazingly talented Leah Duncan. While saving in the cabinetry department (even more now, since Ikea announced its kitchen sale now through the first week of December - score!), I'm inclined to splurge on a massive sink and industrial-type faucet, perfect for all the hand washing I do of my beloved pots and pans, not to mention a cool little tripod for all the recipe reading I do on my iPhone. Who knows? Maybe with all this frugality, we could even afford a nice espresso machine to make the most of the coffee shop in the ground floor of our new building...
How about you? What does your ideal kitchen look like? How would you balance budget with functionality and style?
photo credits:
all via Desire to Inspire
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