Santa's comin' to town...

...If he does't stay stuck in the chimney of our neighbor..

:)

Life. Lately...

...has been a little hectic on this side...And I hardly had time to blog. Even now I am a little bit between things, just coming back from a job interview, writing more applications and get the horse some movement and my puppy Josie some adventures outdoors.

Besides that everything is gearing ready for Christmas and I am behind with my gift shopping and wrapping. At least I was able to catch up on that a little bit today. All my Christmas cards are on its way to all those diverse locations were my friends happen to live and gift ideas are settled.

All the beautiful snow has disappeared again and all what is left is some greyish leftovers on the sides of the road. Even though I was hoping that we are heading towards a very white and bright Christmas I now begin to assume that it will be all wet outside, dipped in some celtic mist, not Christmassy at all. 

But that doesn't matter, does it ? :-) We will make it all bright inside and have a good time - without snow (I am a little pretender, I know. There is nothing like white Christmas)

I am also feeling a bit strange these days. It seems there is a lot coming up -- I almost do not dare to even speak the words but thinking Newtown, thinking China, thinking elementary school. My thoughts are with the victims, the ones who lost beloved ones due to anger, violence and negativity which acted as cowardly as possible in turning towards the most vulnerable of all - our children. 

These days I try to fill my thoughts with light and love and send them out to those who now have to suffer so much.

To be honest, I cannot wait until 2012 is to finish up. I do not believe in the end of the world or anything but I do believe in major changes, which are probably the ones mentioned by ancient groups of people such as the hopi from hawaii or the mayas. It seems that everything heavy, bad or difficult is rising up once more before it can get closed down hopefully soon and guarantee a fresh start. As if people are getting ready for adapting major or smaller changes in their lives, lifestyles or in their thoughts. Towards being more sensitive, for themselves and for what is good for them,such as careers and relationships, diets etc,  more sensitive towards others, and in general towards a healthier life. I have noticed these kind of changes within myself, but also with other people around me. Even though I felt tense at first when I faced a wind of change I am happy now that I embraced it and went with it. I see and saw friends and families struggling with things in their lives, I know it is hard, but I am sure it will all turn to the better if only following their hearts. The heart knows its way to happiness. And I strongly believe that people are here on earth to be happy and live in joy. 

At least that is my feeling of life. Lately.

Love,

Svenja

xx

Post in German: Weihnachten von Hermann Hesse

Ich sehn' mich so nach einem Land
der Ruhe und Geborgenheit
Ich glaub', ich hab's einmal gekannt,
als ich den Sternenhimmel weit
und klar vor meinen Augen sah,
unendlich großes Weltenall.
Und etwas dann mit mir geschah:
Ich ahnte, spürte auf einmal,
daß alles: Sterne, Berg und Tal,
ob ferne Länder, fremdes Volk,
sei es der Mond, sei's Sonnnenstrahl,
daß Regen, Schnee und jede Wolk,
daß all das in mir drin ich find,
verkleinert, einmalig und schön
Ich muß gar nicht zu jedem hin,
ich spür das Schwingen, spür die Tön'
ein's jeden Dinges, nah und fern,
wenn ich mich öffne und werd' still
in Ehrfurcht vor dem großen Herrn,
der all dies schuf und halten will.
Ich glaube, daß war der Moment,
den sicher jeder von euch kennt,
in dem der Mensch zur Lieb' bereit:
Ich glaub, da ist Weihnachten nicht weit!

Christmas Gift Guide for men 2012 #3

Hi there, 

So... Holy moly, Christmas is coming closer and closer and with that the deadline to get the ideal gift for your beloved ones.

While we girls usually communicate a lot all the time what we like, dislike, would like to have and, not to forget need, men tend to stay a little more quiet on this subject. 

No problem so far. 

But if Christmas is around the corner and you are not so much in favor of giving him again 

a) his favorite fragrance

b) a new fragrance you smelled on some other guy and absolutely loved it 

c) an audio book of his favorite author (not that bad though, isn't?!)

d) socks (if not you, I am sure his mum / sister / auntie is gonna take care of that. Not that it is an overall bad gift it just lacks a little "something", don't ya think?)

I thought I am going to share my last, a little more gadgety gift ideas:

Most men love to have something to ahem, "play" with on Christmas eve. Guys, I know that you all also appreciate fragrances, and shirts and all what we have given to you. 

When it really catches his full attention there are mostly batteries / power adapters involved... (OK, I am intentionally stereotyping here, so please forgive me)

Gadget Weather station:

Even a little more gadgety with all kind of instruments to install outside...

And: Not to forget:

Touch screen gloves to make sure he keeps warm during the winter.

If he is the runner, 

another idea could be thermo gloves for cold running days.

I know from my own experience that fingertips are very likely to deepfreeze as soon as leaving the house...

%

It was real fun to collect those small gift ideas which pop up in my mind so now and then and share here on my blog.

Was nothing of your man's taste? Maybe check out Christmas gift guide for men #1 and Christmas gift guide for men #2.

I am certainly not claiming they are all great for every man. I just meant to have a small collection of alternatives..
Hope I could at least give some inspiration.

Have a very merry Christmas,

Love,

Svenja
xx

Winter Wonderland

Today I went out for a run with Josie in the snow and thought at first my nose will fall off frozen...

Well, it didn't. Despite the fact that we had about -10 C here.
In fact -- it was quite the opposite of cold after 2 or so kilometers, when the body heated up a bit and when I was able to remove the scarf from across of half of my face it was all pleasing and uhh and aww about the beautiful surrounding dipped in white.

After 8 kilometer on our way back I could not resist in taking a few shots of our beautiful winter world.

This is what we saw: 

into the forest. Wonderful light.

Josie waiting for me to finish with stopping all the time for photos

Ahem. Me. After 8 km. sweaty. No make up. Sorry.

Snowy field

Snow snow and more snow...

Small cottage

Winter sheep. 

Winter Wonderland fields

fields and hedgerow 

Josie - my loyal running companion

Old oak tree covered with snow

Cute little country house

Gorgeous farm house. 

Cute little country house. Not mine. Unfortunately.

relict from the summer: lupine seeds

After this picture my iPhone crashed, as it was perhaps a little too busy being in power saving and camera mode still busy on the nike plus app recording my run.

But I clearly need to pop out later again to take a few more pictures. Who knows when it will be that lovely again.


Have a good Wednesday!

Love,
Svenja
xx

Christmas Gift Guide for men 2012 # 2

Hi to everyone and especially those still seeking for the right gift for your Mister. It has not all been easy but I have had some more ideas which I thought to share with you here on my little blog.

My first idea is to give a nice ink pen.

Isn't it lovely to receive some handwritten (love) letter one day? Or to go together to sign the first contract for a new home or even when getting married? 

I find it such a nice thing for him to have that I could not hide away from sharing this idea with you.

Mont Blanc possibly is the Champions league of ink pens, but they might also be the most beautiful ones:

What do you think?

Another idea I find quite cool and might be looking nice next to one of above's babies is a traditional agenda. 

If your man is not quite the reading, or literature -affine kind of guy for whom the agenda in my first post on gifts for men I might have another 
option: A more classic agenda, such as the good old filofax might be just the right thing to give for Christmas.

Yes, I know they have got everything in their smart phones you might think -- but from my own experience that is not necessarily true -- as there are many occasions which are private and are not immediately synchronized with the smart phone diary. 

Furthermore it is also holding some space for credit cards, pen or other small items which are essential for being out and about.

I personally really love the brown one:

It is not only handy, but also super chic and classy and very much gentleman-like.

Here is another one:

Another classic might be -- tadaaa: A book.

Ha. What book you might think now. That is the trick now: Always something men (at least in my life) tend to like biographies. I do not know why, but it might be that there is some more logic involved than something which is "only" fiction. It can be everything: Biographies about politicians, sports persons, artists, musicians -- just according to your man's taste. 

A biography about former German chancellor Helmut Schmidt, by Giovanni di Lorenzo, who I find an adorable writer.

Aleady a year old but maybe also a suggestion for those interested who is (was) behind the huge empire of Apple, also interesting for people who are or aspiring entrepreneurs...

Johnny Depp. Actor. Beyond interesting person. 

This is just a small selection of people famous enough to find a book about. My dad has just been pleased with a copy of Keith Richards' biography. 

I am sure there are a lot of interesting characters who your man can either relate to in a way, is just curious about or adores his accomplishments.

%

Many might say that buying Christmas gifts for beloved ones is a little boring and lacks true dedication.

Well, even though I would perhaps not walk away from bought gifts entirely, I absolutely love to receive self made / handmade gifts myself.

Here are some suggestions to be creative and make him happy without crowded high street shops and annoyed shop assistants.

- if you are handy enough to knit, make him self knitted country socks. They are not only warm but also really stylish. You can wrap it with a nice ribbon. Ready. Don't worry. He will appreciate them -- maybe not immediately (I know that men almost ALWAYS have warm feet) but certainly on your nice and romantic Christmas walk in the snowy woods. 

Also, I am super sure he will appreciate your work more than you think.

- work with photographs. I know that it is perhaps not the most original idea, but since we have kind of an overflow of pictures (we all know that, I just say smart phone, instagram etc)but we really & truly lack to have a physical paper photo in hand to place on a desk in the office as a framed picture or as photo calendar/book or traditionally hang on a wall. To fresh this idea up you can maybe combine the photo idea with some handwritten letter, poem or just a few nice words. We girls (and boys) of course love our material world, but something which directly goes to the heart at Christmas might be nice as well...

- You do not need to be a professional artist to accomplish a painting and make someone else happy with it. It might sounds odd, but as soon as you pick up a paintbrush and let your fantasy and imagination do the rest you will be an artist! And it will always look beautiful Remember, art is what is declared as art! 

So why not getting some canvas and acryl colors together, think of your favorite colors and.just.start.

Let your mind nor your thoughts criticize you in what you are doing. It will be perfect!

If you think that you need inspiration you can browse the internet for inspiration. Landscapes are always a good one. 

Or take a photo of a landscape of your holiday destination together and put it down on canvas. Think you cannot do precise work? Don't worry, it'll be abstract art than :) 

Name it properly and you are done!

Have confidence!

PS:It is also quite calming work and most probably you will be likely to do another one after you finish :)

What do you think?

And what do you have for your mister?

Love,

Svenja

xx

PS: Stay tuned -- there is a #3 coming up soon :-) It will include something a little bit more gadgety again...

Award

As I am still quite new to the blog world I have only been seeing those awards occasionally but never really knew what it was about. I thought that one has to be "big" in blogging with a huge readership, cover specific topics or be some other sort of awesome. Well, I have none of these and therefore even feel more than surprised when bevchen of Confuzzledom nominated me for an award which is called the versatile blogger.

1. Thank the person who gave you the award. 
   Thank you, Bevchen! You made my day :-) 
2. Include a link to their blog.
   Done. Look up there ^.
3. Share seven random facts about yourself.
1. I am the nature kind of girl. I could walk through a field, by a river, or through a forest and forget the time. Easily. I would also like to learn about ornithology one day.
2. I need to run. If I am not working out at least 3 or 4 times a week I might become  grumpy. 
3. I love horses. I have spend my childhood and teenage years entirely in smelly stables and on horse backs.
4. I do enjoy the good side of life: Fine restaurants, nice wines, chic venues to go out and dressing up fancy
5. I have something with classical literature. While other people already start yawning when only they hear the name classics I cannot wait to make myself a good cup a' tea and cuddle up with my book. Think Dickens. Think Austen. Think James. 
6. I am not only nature-city-aninal kinda girl, I also like to be busy with spirituality. No, I do not go to church, but I "work" with angels.
7. I absolutely have no idea what I will do when I grow up. I mean, I studied European studies and worked in marketing, but I am still pretty undecided whether this is what I really wanna do.  
4. Nominate 15 other bloggers for this award and share a link to their site.
   In no particular order, I shall nominate the following:
1. Zeitverschwender @ I should understand it better if I had it written down
2. Sabrina @ Scrambled Fashion
3. Sky @ The little button
4. Jessica @ Jessica Sankiewicz
5. Kathrin @ My little delights
6. Denise @ Gratefully inspired
7. Dasha @ It's Dash
8. Ilaria @ IDA interior lifestyle
9. Fran @ Living the dream
10. Miss b bobochic @ bobochic
11. Annemarie Pipa @ momto8blog
12. Misfit librarian @ Adventures of a Misfit librarian
13. Vanessa @ Voguely van
14. Anja @Littlehomeforallseasons
15. Stacy @ Stace's Space

So. That was it! 

I am really very sorry, if you are not at all interested in this awarding ceremonies (ha ha) and more looking for fashion ideas and inspiration or other small stories. I shall be back soon!

Love,

Svenja

Tartan chic

Among other things such as knitwear I am absolutely delighted that everything tartan is back to high street fashion this season.

Whether it comes as a scarf, as a skirt, coat or blouse it is always classy and chic to wear to any occasion at fall / winter 2012. 

It adds some country-ish flavour to the outfit which I personally really adore. 

Here are some of my favorites:

Tartan scarf, olive / grey /burgundy - fabulous with the olive pants:

Classic tartan pencil skirt.

Green based tartan - poncho.

Goes well to black and grey.

Big tartan scarf. 

Looks superb with the cream jumper.

Tartan blouse:

I know, that knitted bow is cute ;-). But look at the navy-based tartan blouse:

I do have some tartan items as well. I might as well put them up...

How about you? Anyone else addicted to tartan this season?

Love,

Svenja

xx 

Love more.Judge less.

Insta-winter-week

December has only just started and it is already pleasing us with a little bit of snow. The first snow of the season is always something very special as it is some sort of long time no see - feeling. It makes the world look more quiet and peaceful and more beautiful than before by its bright white.

This magic mostly leaves together with December and New Years and is replaced with this nasty post Christmas slump I do not want to think of. 

But for now it is bright and white outside and the walks outside are even more fun.

Josie was way too busy to pose for a proper snow picture.

My lovely family.
My dad is turning 55 today -- so happy birthday Papi!! Hiep hiep hoerra!

Last weekend I went partying and took out my new lace dress which I planned to wear at Christmas for the first time. Well, I could not wait ;-)

Last week we also took a walk in Denmark and caught a wonderful sunset in the end. Those small islands are called the ox islands for a reason which is still unclear to me.

My new winter socks. Absolutely necessary!

Have you also had snow yet where you live?

Have a great week, everyone!

Love,

Svenja

xx

Spanish Design: Loewe

When I was browsing the internet some months ago looking for vacant positions at a company called Loewe, I was convinced I was finding the web home of a high end TV set (and other electronics) manufacturer. I was -obviously- quite mistaken when I bumped into  this page. I was immediately uh and ah and forgot all about my planned investigation with the other (electronics) Loewe and went web window shopping.

Much more appealing than browsing vacant jobs.

Anyways, Loewe is a Spanish design house for handbags and accessories and founded no later than 1846 in Madrid. 

Think classy, think style, think that little something, think luxury, think exclusivity.

Think Loewe. 

I already published a small post about my crush with a Loewe handbag some time ago, but now I find that the tide is high for some more looking into the brand.

Pink perfection.

Perfection in black

And something a little hip with adding some color:

Or this one: Also chic and timeless

So, what do you think? 

Love,

Svenja

xx