Friday's Letters

Last week I had my debut in the Friday's letters series and I thought is was fun to sum up my week in small letters.

Dear November: I am unashamed to say that I am happy that you are almost done! You certainly are the most nasty thing after the summer and there is hardly any other month I dislike that much. But I have to thank you for that bright & sunny day you have given us today -- it was splendid!! 

Dear blog friends: I am so happy to have you here! You make my day by leaving a lovely comment or joining in! Like this blogging is even more fun! Thank you!

Dear Grandma: Thank you very much for teaching me how to knit. When I quit learning it by the age of approximately 15 it was far too uncool to proceed - other things were simply more important. I am grateful that I now had the chance to learn it from the best knitter in the world (which is you of course) and excited to soon start my very own first scarf! (In simple left and right of course, I'll start slow)

Dear Christmas cookies: You are probably my only natural enemy. Could you please stop being so delicious??! I would love if you just go away so that I can follow my diet in peace again. Thank you!

Dear Mum & Dad: I hope you had a lovely wedding anniversary this week! Happy 31 years!! Congratulations! Love you both! 

Dear Santa: I have been a very good girl in 2012. Really. I just would like to remind you of this gorgeous quilted leather jacket, ok? I would love this very much indeed. Uh, and there is this lovely bookish agenda, which you can find here. 

Love,
Svenja
xx

Trip to Denmark

I grew up in the most Northern part of Germany, which is called Anglia (yes it has to do with the Angles and Saxons who discovered England in the first place ;-)). A 15 minute car ride away means, that basically the country happens to be only around the corner from me...

Even though I grew up so very close to our Nordic neighbors I hardly spent any time over there apart from beach holidays when I was very little. Today I have been over there as I helped a friend moving from Flensburg town (which is still in Germany) to Sønderborg. After the actual moving part of the trip we headed into town to do some shopping. It is a scenic little town with a small harbour, a beach and a few cute shops in the city. 

And, as I have hardly spent any time in Denmark and obviously as a kid was more focused on building sand castles I did not take much notice of cute little Danish towns ... I thought it was time to change that and have a small look: 

Today it is the last day of November (yay!!) which means Christmas time has kind of officially started (shops would not agree with me though, ha ha)and in Sønderborg that meant lighting the Christmas tree. It was a very big social event, with a lot of children calling the "juleman" (aka Santa) to turn on the lights of the huge tree on the market place.

For meat lovers there is a Danish steakhouse (Bǿfhus), a typical Danish shop for home accessories and kitchen utensils (very colorful and in some ways very Danish). Oh, and very important, a small stall where you can buy almonds. These have some sort of caramel icing over them and are simply mouth watering. 

When we did all the shopping we settled in a Danish cafe to have some hot going into cold (aka my body. We had minus 2 degrees here today). The cappuccino was utterly delicious. I skipped the Juleǿl (Christmas beer), but it did look awesome (I am more the wine kind of person).

We have also come along a few design houses -- something very typical to see in Denmark. Nordic design is world famous and known for its minimalistic style. While wandering through shopping streets it is very normal to see a furniture store next to a Vero Moda (my favorite Danish fashion store, you can check it out here).

Oh, and did you know that the Danes are utterly proud of their Dannebrog, which is how they call their flag? They even put it on their Christmas tree. Something unthinkable over here.. 

Talking of Denmark, did you know that it is not only famous for its design but is also home country of some internationally famous musicians?

Here are a few:

Aqua. Very famous in the nineties with their song "Barbie Girl". I believe they even made it in the US. We probably all know it

Whigfield. One hit wonder. Kind of. "Saturday Night" was it. I am sure you know. If not, this is it: Deedeenanana...

Aura Dione. Some pop music from 2012.

Lukas Graham. Drunk in the morning. Still a bit new. Also a bit cool. Reminds me of Robbie Williams songs.

If you like to read some more on life in Denmark and the Danes you should check out Hannahs blog. An American girl in Copenhagen. She is awesome. 

Have you been to Denmark? How did you like it?

Enjoy your weekend!

Love

Svenja

xx

PS: Apologises for the poor quality of the pictures my iPhone takes... I seriously need to upgrade my photo equipment.... SANTA ??! I was a very good girl, you know... 

Head over heels

You may call me a fashion Neanderthaler, but so far I had not really heard of the New York brand Kate Spade, which truly is a mistake. Well, possibly there are just different brands which are popular from country to country, but most probably it is just me not being quite up to date ;-) 

Anyways, after I read and seeing randomly items by Kate Spade I thought -- on this nasty Sunday which comes with a lot of November rain (and bonus: storm. Blowing the rain right into your my face, no chance for any umbrella here, they won't survive)-- I have to sneak into the online shop and have a look around. 
And I almost felt over -- I was head over heels! Immediately. 
You may even call it love at first sight. 
Those bags are simply fabulous. 
They are chic and classy, have got something, without being overloaded with details and tadaaaa -- they are affordable 

(well, kind of, ha ha)!

Oh, and they have some special sale going on with lots of reductions.

This one called bow valley rosa. It is gorgeous, is it not?

I find it suits well to pop up and brings some color to some classy business costume. Also of course goes to more casual  outfits, such as denim blouse and blazer. It is suitable for a classy, but also girly girl with its cute bow detail. The size allows (I guess-- I am not so familiar with American measures)to easily carry your iPad with you. It is also available in black. 

Talking about iPads. There is also a bag extra designed as an iPad bag:

Again, a rather classy item, given a feminine touch with that little bow. Absolutely perfect for the elegant woman.

Might even bear a small netbook/laptop.

For regular sized laptops there is one as well, of course, and my favourite baby is this one:

Love the color -- suits to dark blue, grey and black (business) outfits. Is kind of saying "I don't want to bother you, but, hey, I am a little bit special".

What do you think?

Have a lovely Sunday!

Svenja

xx

The Sunday Social

Name 4 jobs you've had in your life

Management Consulting trainee, events & membership trainee, marketing specialist, and when I was at school I helped on a local farm. Therefore: farmer :)

Name 4 movies you would watch over and over

Bridget Jones' Diary

The holiday

Pride & Prejudice

Sense & Sensibility

Name 4 places you have lived

Doncaster / UK

My first own flat - well 1-room apartment in Passau / Germany

Flatshare in London - West Kensington/ UK

Eindhoven / The Netherlands

     Name 4 of your favorite foods

 Italian Pizza (the one which is actually made in Italy)

Pumpkin soup

vegetable soup

watermelon

     Name 4 things you always carry with you

Keys

diary / agenda

dog snoepjes (if I'd only know the English word for something you give your dog as a reward)

iPhone

  

     Name 4 places you have been on vacation

Tenerife (Spain)

Venice (Italy)

Cork (Ireland)

Denmark

Friday letters

©Svenja Schoening. London. 

Today I came across the post Friday Letters over at Bevchens Blog and I loved the idea of writing a small letter to someone unknown, particular or pff, even to the universe for example. So here are my very own little Friday letters:

Dear grandfather: I am really very sorry that you did not feel so well recently. Get better soon!

Dear Karstadt in Flensburg: Thank you, mercy, tak, bedankt, danke, gracias and grazie for taking benefit into your assortment. It is really the best choice for beauty products -ever. (OK, I am also a LancÔme addict)

Dear pink quilted leather jacket: Please, stay where you are until mommy picks you up and takes you home! Thank you!

Dear Josie: You are really the best and most loyal dog ever! You are so sweet when you come and lay next to me when I am doing my sit ups. You are hardly naughty you can do the best tricks. You are so lovable. Thank you for being my dog!

Dear middle East: Could you please stop the fighting? It is such a low level of solving a disagreement. 

Dear London: I have only been living at yours very shortly, but I do fancy a reunion soon. Could we not just arrange a date? I miss you!

Dear wallet: Please don't be angry with me because I bought another gorgeous hat. I am sure I will feed you soon again, promised.

Dear Michaela: I am holding my fingers crossed for you regarding your exam period coming up! I am sure you will make it!! How was the run? I am certain you did a fab job!!

Dear Caribbean sun: I have heard so much about you, shall we not meet up one day? We will go on perfectly!! 

Dear new bog friends: Thank you so much for visiting me! You made my day!

Dear Mum: You have baked so many delicious Christmas Cookies which are now a serious threat to my diet. So PLEASE lock them up somewhere safe. I otherwise have the feeling that they all might disappear over night.. Thank you!

Have a lovely weekend, everyone!

Love,
Svenja
xx

Quilted leather jacket love affair

I am in love. 

Again.

Who's that guy? Well, it is a guy hanging around a local store, waiting for me to pick him up. :-)

And that's what I am thinking about all the time. 
This baby in rose color... 
A quilted leather biker jacket. 

Ah. I know. Taking photos in front of a mirror is pretty teenager-like. Though, it might help to convince Santa that the jacket looks gorgeous! ;-)

My hunt was not quite finished. I was also quite delighted with a medium sized handbag, made from dark brown leather, with a little touch of winter: filled with lambswool and one small seam, also from lambswool.

Other items I tried on were a lemon green knit jumper and a golden skinny and both were not convincing.

Do you have a biker jacket? And is it wearable in warmer temperatures only? When I tried it on, I had the feeling that it keeps me warm, but I might be mistaken through the temp inside the store.

Have a great weekend!

Love

Svenja

xx

Lace dresses

Lately I have been obsessed with lace and especially dresses made me ohh and ahh all the time. 

What I love most about lace items is that they can be worn with almost everything to most occasions: Lace dresses are perfect for parties and more chic events; lace blouses can be used to "upgrade" a simple denim combo with a blazer for work, or with a costume I find it also goes together with for example biker jackets to celebrate the broken style - over a dress for example.

My favorites are clearly black lace dresses. 

Such as seen here worn by famous actress, singer and ex-girlfriend of Johnny Depp, Vanessa Paradies.

I love the way it solely stands out without needing a lot of accessories around it, It is happy with plain tights and pumps and maybe only requires red lipstick as a highlight.

What do you think?

Love,

Svenja

Cloud Atlas - Thoughts

Besides our really cool and exciting Bond event last month I did not go to the movies a lot lately.

Nevertheless yesterday was movie Sunday and I watched Cloud Atlas  together with a friend.

It was HUGE.

Yes, a movie can be huge. Overwhelmingly huge. Next to the fact that it took 2 and 1/2 hours it was having multiple story strings with constant switching, mixing up past present and future, different settings in more than one world (yes, really) together with a lot of special effects. 

Cloud Atlas which was starred by some  major characters of the scene. Talking -- Tom Hanks, Halle Barry, Susan Sarandon, Hugh Grant was an independent movie and the most expensive one of its kind.

What I found remarkable was that there was not so much talking going on in the film; the focus was more on the actions itself. Focussing on impacts, peoples' lives have on one another, but also on one self. Confusing?

Yes, definitely!

This movie is a candidate for a second (and third etc) watch and most probably we will find something "new" every time we re-watch it. I assume that I also will learn to love it the more times I eventually watch it. 

After all I went out of the movie - confused, convinces that it was not quite my cup of tea, but almost 24 hours later, I have to admit, that its got something. In a few days I might even like it ;-)

I would definitely recommend a small "read-into-it" before, to be prepared, kind of. And still, it is the kind of movie which requires one to be "there" at all time. Through its rapid scene switches it is constantly challenging the audience to think with it - not only by looking at the pictures but also by its words of wisdom....

Anyone seen this movie? What are your thoughts? Did you like it?Why? Why not? I'd love to hear from you!!

Have a fab week!

Love,

Svenja

xx

PS: I loved that line: "A half finished book is like a half finished love affair...."

Letters and hats - revisited

Once I wrote a post about letters and hats and how much I'd love them to have a happy revival.

I am super surprised that it did not take the hats very long to re-appear in stores again! Now we just have to write more letters.

However, when I saw those shelfs in de Bijenkorf (aka my other home for the time I lived in the Netherlands) last winter season, I was already so happy. 

I do have one great pink races hat but barely any occasion to wear it... so I stayed off those (it was kinda hard though).

But now, I am happy utterly delighted that hats are to find in almost every high street fashion store - yahoooo! All kind of hats! Floppy hats, small hats, big hats, all colors, styles and shapes basically!

Today it was the day when I thought it was time for a floppy hat for myself. A very (I find) wearable alternative to above ones which seem to always need a special occasion such as weddings or races (which are very rare over here).

My new filthy friend is by Esprit, dark brown with a small leather band detail around the rim. Unfortunately, it did not come with a small bow, but I am working on that the diy way to make it the way I want....

Earlier this afternoon I took my dog out for a walk ... doing that I thought it won't hurt taking my hat out for a walk as well.

And this is how my new baby looks like:

While I was more than enthusiastic about my new accessory Josie was all indifferent about my new hat and enjoyed the misty fall weather...

So, how about wearing more hats and writing more letters? ;-)
Have a bomb weekend, everybody!

Love,
Svenja 
xx

L'Invitation au Voyage

Not so many words on this. Just one.

Beautiful.


             


Have a nice day!

Svenja
xx

Very pinteresting Winter Romance

Hi everyone, it is Tuesday again, pinteresting Tuesday!

Today I literally got inspired by Denise' holiday-post over at her lovely blog gratefully inspired to pick up the winter theme into my pinteresting post.

I do not necessarily love winter but there are a few things I really appreciate:

- Winter is the perfect excuse to watch all those lovely holiday movies (love actually & the holiday to name a few)

- the same counts for long afternoons and evenings on a sofa, together with mugs filled with hot stuff, a good book and a candle

- long walks in winter wonderland forests

- buying xmas outfit (I got mine already, it is a black lace dress, and I can't wait to wear it!!)

- writing xmas cards to beloved ones 

- go to Christmas markets and have a gluehwein. Or two. Or three. Or so.

Anyways, winter can be very romantic, i.e. kissing in the snow...

Kissing in the snow - Gossip Girl style

Winter Wonderland Walks

 are clearly on top of my list....

Did you ever try and make hearts in the snow?

... And, last but not least. Christmas shoes.

Words.

Top 10 Tips against Autumn Blues

It is cold and dark outside, the streets are empty and being all alone here makes me feel that the time is right to sum up some top 10 tips before this grumpy guy called autumn blues is coming around the corner. 

This year he can bugger off immediately, I find :-)

Here we go:

1) Make drinking all kinds of chai lattes a daily habit. 

2) Go out and shop a nice anti-autumn blues outfit.I always get inspiration via pinterest.

3) Make sure you always have an umbrella with you. There is nothing more nasty than being cold AND wet.

4)I know this one is a killer. But in the end it kills the autumn blues for sure: Jump into your running shoes and do it. 

5)Take your dog (or neighbors'- he will love it)  and go out for long walks in the nature and have a look on this years decay. Look at the colours. Isn't it gorgeous?

6) Take a long hot bath. And make sure you have a chilled bottle of bubbles ready for after! Cheers!

7)Buy a nice dress and go out. There is little more vitalizing than being among other people, dance the night away and have a glass. Or two.

8) Plan things. Go to places. Inspiration is just waiting for you!

9) Make dates. Have Rendez-vous. Invite friends. Organize a dinner party. However. Get together! And laugh as much as you can!

10)Clean out your room, flat or house. Get rid of things you don't need. Don't love. Or have twice. There are friends who might need exactly this thing. There is charity - someone somewhere out there will surely benefit from our social moment today and wears our old shirt. And a smile! Ah, and there is the bin! :-) A sweep through the place brings a whole lot of new energy into it and will change your mood directly - promised! Bonus: Your place is cleaned up as well. 

Oh. And there is maybe one more option what to do to try and kill the autumn blues. And this is

10b) throw yourself completely in it. Watch Bridget Jones' diary, the holiday, love actually, BBC Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility right after another, laugh, cry, eat as much Ben & Jerry's and chocolate as you find and have yourself hungover from those bottles of wine that you are fed up with autumn blues anyways and start working out and party just volunteerly the next day! :D

Anything to add at this point? I am pretty sure I am missing out a lot of things.

Have a lovely week!

Svenja
xx

Insta-weekend

After my very exciting Skyfall week this week has been a quiet one.

Very quiet.

To take Josie out and have some fresh air I went to the small city of Eckernfoerde to meet my friend Kathrin for a nice long walk along the beach and the historical harbor. 

I did not only meet Kathrin, but also this little guy, a seagull, with beautiful brownish sprinkles on his feathers. 

Me and Josie on the beach. 

Me and Kathrin using self-shot option of my iPhone

Black and white me

Playing with Josie

Having a night out at home alone

with my friends. 

M. Erlot & A. Winehouse 

Ahhhh, something very beautiful happend yesterday: An eagle owl was sitting on a rooftop right in Flensburg city center. 

Fascinating! He sat there, quiet and overlooked everything. After a long time he spread his wings

and flew over to the next rooftop and kept on watching.

I know, the quality of the picture is poor, but I was not that lucky to a) have a professional camera at hand, or b) be in the flat right were he was sitting... Nevertheless, it was a far too beautiful experience to not share it here!

Oh, and I just heard that it brings luck and wisdom for those passing by!


*PS: I was lucky enough to receive an email fully loaded with top-quality pictures from my gorgeous little feather friend -- check it out here.

On Sunday, I met my other friend, Ramona for a long walk in the autumn forest!

Decay is making its way but keeps on delighting us with its colors! 

Gorgeous! 

And here, another one, where the sun sneaks into the picture! 

Oh. And meet him! Isn't he gorgeous?!

After the walk we deserved a nice hot drink. This time I had fresh Maroccan mint tea.

Delicious!!

Accompanied by a slice of something very naughty:

Blueberry Pannacotta- tart.

Yum!

Who do we have here?! I have spotted this little fury person not in her bed.

She went on to have a little nap on mine.

At least until I spotted her ;-)