Pretty Things

Do you ever just wake up and feel a little...blah? The weather's gray, the house is dim, you have no energy even though you've had 3.5 cups of coffee already? That's kind of how I'm feeling today. And why I love Pinterest (besides the fact that it makes me feel productive even though all I've done is pinned 55 pretty pictures in 2 hours). Today I found lots of colorful and pretty things to brighten up my blah day. I hope they brighten up yours as well!

Image credits: 1) Perfectly blue windows by mandalaybus via Captain; 2) Colorful bouquet by Peter Carlsson via Robyn; 3) Dreamy scooter by Sebastian Bentler via Tim; 4) Tattoo by unknown* via Tayler ; 5) Vintage flower on paper by Jean Cody via Jill

*please tag if you know the source!

Handmade Finds: Baby Room Prints

With friends all around me announcing pregnancies and showing off baby bumps (I think of this hilarious quote every time!), I've been thinking a lot about good baby shower presents. After all, I'm determined to bribe my way (with both presents and love) into favorite-aunt status with some upcoming little ones, so I have to start sucking up to them and their soon-to-be mommas early.

I find handmade items from small shops make the perfect presents for such an occasion, which is why I love scouring Etsy for ideas. And if you live anywhere in Europe, don't forget to check out DaWanda too. It's like Etsy for Europe (only not quite as sleek) and is particularly useful when you no longer want to deal with those awful customs fees that tend to sneak up on you when a package from the US arrives at your doorstep. (In Germany, the customs fee is a whopping 19%, which particularly hurts when you have to pay it just to receive a Christmas gift your mom sends you.)

All that to say, I'm thinking of doing a regular post series here featuring handmade goodies I find on Etsy and DaWanda for those of us who can't get enough of discovering new shops.

To start us off, here are some lovely prints I've been oggling that would make cute additions to any baby room.  

Whimsical, sweet, and colorful. Just what you need to win over a wee one's heart.

Clockwise from top left: 1) Alpine cow from Sally Boyle Applied Graphics; 2) I Love You So Much... from Yellow Heart Art; 3) Little Red Riding Hood by Sandra Ortuño Illustration; 4) Sail Boat by Urban Tickle.

Paris Sister Trip: Finale

And finally, for the finale of our sisterly jaunt through Paris. For the continuation of our second day, we wandered along the Seine in the direction of Notre Dame with plans to climb to the top. Sadly, the line was at least a few hours long, as they only let a certain amount of people up every twenty minutes, so we decided not to go up. Instead, we crossed this lovely bridge covered in "love locks," browsed the cutest book stands along the river, and enjoyed a pitcher of sangria on a boat bar.

If that weren't picturesque enough, as we were sipping our sangria, a mass of balloons was spontaneously released at the bridge across from us! I don't know what the celebration was for, but I love it!

As we continued to wander, it began to rain again, of course (ahh, Parisian weather) and we sought out shelter with every other rain-trapped tourist in the pyramid of the Louvre. Not before, quite unsuccessfully, trying to take a self picture in front of the pyramid.

Luckily, the rain quickly lightened and we had just bought a fabulously cheesy umbrella--so what better to do than dance in the rain? Especially when there's a gorgeous rainbow to back you up!

The rest of the evening was spent making our way to the Eiffel Tower--we were determined to climb that, at least, and at night for more interesting views of the city. We passed by some fabulous clouds and animal statues along the way, and I can never resist photographing a good statue butt.

The wait to go up was, well, long. And the stairs were closed, meaning only the elevators could take you up, meaning the wait was even longer. And it was cold. But I have to say, it was 100% worth it and if you're ever in Paris, I recommend climbing the Tower at night! It's just a one-of-a-kind experience, albeit somewhat frightening. Nicole (as well as several other girls in the elevator) was terrified and couldn't look down as we ascended to the first ledge and then to the top of the structure. Then, once we were up, she couldn't get near the edge. That is, until we found the Bar de Champagne up there! Wildly overpriced, obviously, but hey, when else are you ever going to have champagne on top of the Eiffel Tower? I, for one, was clearly excited. And although Nic still appears terrified, the champagne definitely helped ease her fear.

The next day was our last in Paris and while we wanted to dedicate it to shopping, we ran into a few roadblocks. Nic had a list of home goods and crafty stores like La Droguerie to go to, but each one either: was closed, had moved locations, or didn't exist (okay, they probably did exist--more likely our stellar senses of direction just couldn't successfully lead us to them). So we basically spent the day laughing at our lack of shopping, wandering back and forth through the streets of the 7th arrondisement empty-handed, and gathering picnic supplies for our final farewell picnic along the Seine.

(This poor woman was just as disheartened as we were to find La Droguerie closed.)

 
A pretty picture perfect way to the trip, wouldn't you say? And what picnic wouldn't be complete without delicious wine, a few ducks quacking nearby to keep us laughing, and some more Ladurée macarons? Merci beaucoup et au revoir, Paris!

Happy weekend, everyone!

Favorite Finds...

...a beautifully rustic chalkboard jam pot to hold jam, kitchen accessories, or even part of my ever-expanding earring collection.

Photo by Terrain

...these stunning handmade pillows and silkscreen prints by Chocolate Creative. They'd add just the right amount of femininity and kitsch to any room.

 

Photo by Margarita Lorenzo

...just the sweetest little eco-friendly shopping bag I've ever seen.

 Photo by Mr. and Mrs. Yoke

...a carafe fit for a queen. Or at least for a really sparkly party.

Available at Skitsch

Image credits: 1) Rustic chalkboard jam pot by Terrain; 2) Pillow and home accessories by Chocolate Creative spotted on decor8; 3) Eco-friendly canvas bag by We Are Yoke; 4) Dreamy carafe by Front pinned by Caitlin

Time for a Little Change

If you'll allow me to get a little vain for today's post, I'll let you in on a little secret that most of my friends here know about yet.

This weekend, I made a big big big big change.

Just the other day, and up until this Saturday at about 11:20am, I looked like this:

(Although, not always with the freaked-out expression on my face...)

And while my long hair and I have had lots of great times together, we both decided that it was time for a new beginning. It had become dry and split and rather unmanageable. And I had grown lazy and frankly, pretty neglectful of it. Which is why on Saturday at approximately 2pm, we bid each other one last farewell, and I came home looking like this:

(Please try not to laugh at the fact that I'm taking glamour shots in the bathroom with the inflatable octopus smugly laughing at me in the background. And also do not let my one good hair day in the top picture deceive you into believing that it was cooperative, non-frizzy hair. Because it was not. Usually. No hard feelings though.)

I've been pondering and talking about whacking off all my hair for the best part of a year now and two days after the fact, I'm so freaking happy that I finally went through with it! Hooray for quick-drying, easy-to-maintain, no-ponytail-holder-on-my-wrist-at-all-times-necessary short hair!

(Thanks for indulging me. We'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming tomorrow.)

Paris Sister Trip: Part 2

Day 2 in Paris started off the way all good days in Europe should, in my opinion. With perfectly frothy (and heart-adorned!) cappuccinos and new and delicious pastries at a local pâtisserie. It also started off freezing, unfortunately, and although we were ill-prepared in the way of fall clothing (especially me, having been used to the 3 months of excruciatingly humid NYC summer) we were determined to brave the outdoors all day.

Well, not at breakfast--we were freezing at breakfast, at least I was, but the pâtisserie had no more indoor seating so alas we decided to make do.

We then wandered the empty, Sunday morning streets of Montmartre in search of baguettes and other French picnic supplies. One thing I love about Sunday mornings in Europe is how even the most busy of neighborhoods is suddenly devoid of people, shut down, and the whole place appears laid out for you and you alone to explore. So we trekked up and down the hills of Montmartre, admiring the outdoor fruit and vegetable stands that were beautifully arranged at even the simplest of neighborhood markets (if you can say one thing about the French, it's that they don't skimp on presentation, ever); the gorgeous architecture complimented by splashes of bright color (ah, to live behind that blue door...); and the pâtisseries. We came across this one and, intrigued by the stand they set up in front, had to stop by. Apparently the French needed to get their mandatory daily baguettes without waiting in the long pastry line inside. Love that.

The macarons we picked up (salty caramel for Nic, of course, and passion fruit for me) were beautiful but, I'll grant Nicole this, not as good at those at Ladurée. Lesson learned: sometimes the expensive ones really are worth it.

We then headed to Les Puces, the giant flea market that I've heard so much about, for the afternoon, using the very helpful directions from Oh Happy Day. Just wandering the small alleys jam-packed with old knick-knacks, antique furniture, jewelry stands, and French sellers sipping wine and waiting to make a sale was worth the excursion. We wandered from busy street to quiet alley in awe of the size of the market. We came across lots of things we'd never buy (an old clotheless baby doll?) and a few we'd die for. Like this fabulous old bar cart that Nicole was seriously ready to pounce on, had we figured out any possible way to get it on the plane back to Berlin. Pretty sure she's still mourning that missed opportunity. We also thoroughly enjoyed the various paintings hanging around, including the still life (shown above) that is really the best kind of still life--includes fruit, a jug, and a dead bird. Just what I want hanging in my living room...

Other items we would have taken home if possible: this piece of an airplane (random, but Micha is an airplane fanatic, so Nic may actually have to go back one day and get this. And then move into a bigger apartment); this beautiful gray, ornate-but-not-too-ornate armchair that would never fit in my NY apartment but hey, a girl can dream (with our fun reflections in the mirror above!); and an old bust with the greatest skeevy mustache I've ever seen. If I don't have a Roman column in my house one day, I'm determined to have at least a fantastic bust of a dapper European man.

Then we did what we do best in Europe: just wandered. Down to the 7th arrondisement, admiring how picturesque every street is. (And also, to Nicole's happy German sentiments, how many of them have well-marked bike lanes.) To a fountain we hadn't seen before, where we had a macaron break and admired the Baroque pink-and-black column combination, definitely a favorite style of ours. To the lovely café/restaurant Paul for picnic-appropriate baguettes. And then down to the Seine, for our requisite daily picnic (after acquiring some delicious Sancerre to add to our meal, but of course). No day in Paris is complete, in our opinion, without a picnic. And, in Nicole's opinion, without more Ladurée macarons.

One silly but oh-so-practical accompaniment to our picnics were the ridiculously genius mini sippy cups (as we called them) that I picked up at The Container Store for this trip. They fold up to fit in your purse and expand when you open them to hold your wine! During our two-month Europe backpacking trip after college, Nicole and I learned the hard way to always remember to pack cups in case a spontaneous picnic opportunity presents itself. Now, we will never be cupless again!

Coming up next: Notre Dame, the Louvre, and a sangria break on a boat. And then updates on my excursion through Croatia! Ah, I miss Europe (and Nicole!) already...

Fall Coziness

Growing up in LA, I never really understood the hype surrounding the beginning of fall. Changing leaves were not part of any real-life scenery that I knew and boots and scarves seemed like clothing that people only wore in movies. When Natalie and I left the city of perpetual summer and headed to Boston for college, fall suddenly became something to me that was all too close to winter. I was constantly freezing and never really embraced the season that brought with it the return to classes, swim practices, and dining halls.

But now, a few (let's just not count how many right now, k?) years later, I finally get it. Berlin has offered me the most perfect half-Indian-summer-half-start-of-fall September this year and I can't get enough of it. Here are some goodies that I'm lusting after on this brisk yet sunny fall day.

Nothing beats woodsy table and party decor for fall get-togethers. I'm working on justifying buying all of West Elm's upcoming fall collection for my Thanksgiving party this year. I just hope they sell everything in sets of 20 to accommodate my ever-growing guest list.

Photo by West Elm

My years of wearing only flip flops are behind me and these days I yearn for tons of boots in all shapes, sizes, and colors. But I am sadly the worst at picking out boots because I tend to just want all of them. When I'm queen of the world, I will have my own personal boot shopper at my beck and call. Until then, who wants to volunteer? I can compensate you in baked goods and love.

 Boots available at zalando

Something about the crisp fall air and thick knit sweaters that go along with it just makes me want to curl up at home with a giant latte, turn off the computer, and write some real letters again (my grandma, who has no computer, would be overjoyed). A pretty address stamp like this one would be the perfect finishing touch.

Stamp and photo by emilie friday

What do you daydream about this time of year?

Image credits: 1) Woodsy items by West Elm via Bright.Bazaar; 2) Brown boots by KMB and black boots by Blowfish available at zalando: 3) Stamp by emilie friday via dandee.