Retail therapy

After my book shopping haul which happened yesterday I was a good girl and gave in and stopped before it could get any worse with the spending. But still, there is a small list in my mind of things I need want.

In the very beginning there is Jo Malone. 
I want the scented candle of their Peony blush & suede collection. I am not so sure whether it is good that it is also available here at Douglas for example. (Shop here if you are tempted as well).

They are a bit pricey, but look at it -- isn't it beautiful?

Oh. And I should probably never look at net a porter again. Ever.  It is dangerous.
Don't look here.
Ha ha.
You little rebel. I like you.:-) 
Aren't they perfect?



I also really need a new coat. Since a new coat is a bit of an investment which should at least last two seasons, the model needs to be considered carefully. Maybe I don't really need it, since I own about 5 coats which would still do, maybe, but you know, sometimes it is time for something new. 
My lust list:

I should start playing the lottery or something. 
But any classy and simple trench would do. Like this one. When I grow up I'll buy Burberry.

Another classic. Barbour, baby. I kind of lived in it during my student days. These are over. So is my wax jacket. Would go perfectly well with my wellies. 

I strongly dislike those oversize coats, which make you look like one of those advertising pillars. Not for me. 

Have a lovely Sunday!

X

All about fall

Hi,

hope everyone had a good start to the new week. Half of September is already over, autumn is coming quickly and with that the shops are full with fall fashion.

I am not such fan of bordeaux red which is hitting the stores everywhere (it kind of reminds me of the times when we went to our first ballroom events, and all girls where wearing the same kind of horrible, horrible bordeaux red dresses. Sorry. But I am not sorry. You may judge me now. I don't care - It's just a matter of taste and I will not become friends with this color. ever.)Anyhow, another color is BIG this fall and its dark GREEN!! Woohaa, love it!! It gives me a warm comfortable feeling of cosy and classy(if that makes any sense at all)., you know this Barbour and Jaguar green. Dark green goes perfectly well with brown, which I also love. And black. And dark blue (my all time favourite) Voila - Perfect! *Necessity mode on*. For the rest, I am not such a huge fan of this fake fur / leather stuff, but I love plaid. And hats, luckily I still have a few from last season. 

Uhh, to overcome the summer-is-over-blues I have just discovered something incredibly awesome: There are special offers available for Euro-city trips at airberlin and I am almost - almost about to book something like Rome, Paris or Vienna or Barcelona for just below 100 EUR - return. Difficult one. To quote Oscar Wilde, I can resist anything, but temptation; I defo need to check out when I can have a few days off. And who is going with me, since city trips are so much more fun when spend together! Exploring the place alone is also delicious, but visiting the dodgy ends is a bit cooler when not alone. Defo something to escape autumn blues, don't you think?

xx

A Touch of Spring and Summer

I am still not quite back into my normal posting rhythm and still stuck in post-move activities, such as interior-designing, finding my way around, walking extra ways to everything because I do not know any of the short cuts yet and simply try to settle. Quite time consuming, if you ask me. 

While I had been hoping for some serious spring coming around the corner all of Germany seems to be covered in white again. Really. I do love snow. In the winter. In December. It is there to make Christmas & holiday season looking even more romantic than ever and to make us have fun building snow men and snow angels... 

The calendar says it is spring already, so come on. 

Unfortunately I think we cannot help the weather we can only help ourselves to feel a little more spring-like.

That is why I am so happy to have a little touch of spring in my new home: A small crocus flower I got as a present from my friend.

Yesterday it started to blossom and it really makes my day on a day like this...

To continue having spring mood it helps to read my favorite blogs, for example the Londonder (go check it out, if you didn't already) for some paradise - beach- photos, I promise you will feel much more summerly in a few moments. Turn on some Jack Johnson tunes or listen to the Buena Vista Social Club for lighting up our winter blues ears. I promise, it helps ;-)

On days like these, I also really like to eat healthy and colorful food. For example this Asian Vegetable dream. Made of chopped vegetables, coconut cream and rice or couscous. Add whatever you fancy: Shrimps, chicken tofu - ready! Yum yum. Super easy. 
Even I can do it. It takes just the time of chopping the vegetables, the rice is cooking while doing everything else, and altogether it can be served in 25 minutes time. 

And the mood goes up, I swear!

Why only talking about a small touch of spring? Ha, let's talk summer:

I cannot wait to wear my small cherry summer dress I bought back in January. Therefore I am very eager to get some warmer temperatures soon, please!

I only would need some shoes to go with it. 

Any suggestions ?

I thought about some white heeled espadrilles / wedges or some red ballerinas, what do you think?

My white summer hat would perhaps also go.

Hmmmm. 
Though, I am afraid I have to practice patience (not my strongest point) and wait!

In the meantime I will spend some more time reading my new book - which is not a classic this time (I am a member of the classics club. And I am sorry James Joyce, yours has to be put on hold for a moment) but a book narrated be a French lady who used to work as a CEO for Veuve Cliquot Champagne and who pssst..! lets us into the secrets of French women's eating and lifestyle habits ;-)
YAY!!!

I am around 50 pages through so far, and it is well and wittingly written and I can say that I enjoy it! 
It is quite a quick-read, and I shall write a summery and recommendation here after I finished it.

When I was cleaning my new home this morning, not expecting anything but maybe my small amazon delivery, the postman rang -- and brought me this: 
A large care package from my auntie to congratulate me to my move and cared for the first few items which will inevitably be needed.  
What a huge surprise! 
The next few minutes I spend happily unwrapping lots of presents, clapping hands from happiness and gratefulness:
Candles, a table cloth, some groceries, a book (another one than above mentioned), spices and a bowl of the famous mymuesli muesli, which I know already for ages, but never really tried myself....
 It is a company based from students in my student town, and their idea was that everybody should be able to pick'n'mix their own muesli since those pre-packaged and -selected ones mostly contain components not that much needed. 

If you are interested check out their website (no, it is not a sponsored link, I just like them and their products) and get yourself a portion of this super healthy and individual stuff - and on top of it -- it is all organic!! 

Here is mine:

A bowl of finely selected grains, mango, banana, raspberry.

Filled up with soy milk, and it was utterly delicious. 

And when I look out of my window, I see the tree and little birds nest covered in snow...

... and dream of spring and summer!

What do you do to get over the winter blues?

Have a wonderful day!

Love, 

Svenja

xx

Random Awesomeness

If you follow me on pinterest you probably know that I recently created my board Random Awesomeness.

And this is my latest awesome find:

I love this impressionist / post impressionist touch it has!

And the minimalism expressed through the picture.

Fashion, art & cars.

Nnnnice!

Even though I am completely NOT into cars...

What do you think?

Love,

Svenja

xx

Insta-Friday

It's Friday and I thought I'll do a small round up of the week with some insta-catch up ..
You can also turn the blue button into green and follow me :-)
(Here)

To cheer up this 50 shades of grey end of January / beginning of February mood, I thought it was time to bring in some color with these blue shoes...

Aren't they cute?

Certainly a good way to distract from this...

Miserable, miserable rain...

Since the white snow world melted away we have been hit by enormous rainfalls which made our shed flooded. Booh.

At least (fortunately) we do not have a cellar!

***

Horse(wo)mannish

Horse riding is one of my passions. 

This is how it looks if I get ready to go.

3 layers of clothes, since it is still quite cold, riding pants with fake leather on the inside to prevent slippery business when in the saddle, body warmer, jodpur boots, and leather chaps.

I do have Cavallo boots, but I only got those chaps (by Busse) a few months ago, and I find them quite comfortable.

For the rest I need a helmet, riding gloves (I use these, already for ages, I truly think they're the best)and spurs. And carrots. Lots of carrots, bread and apples of course ;-) 

Another one arrived this week, someone who really wanted to hop on my classics club reading list.

(I better plan a whole year extra for him, ha ha)

Here he is... 

And now I wish everyone a lovely weekend!

What are your plans? 

Did anyone read Ulysses already? How was it for you?

And anyone else into horseback riding?

Love,

Svenja

xx

Little Red Jacket

A few days ago I already mentioned that I'd been able to score some super hot sale items.

I had a few vouchers which I had gotten for Christmas and was overly happy to spend them in the post Christmas sale this year. 

And the shops definitely needed to throw out lots of stuff as it seems:

I got this little red jacket from H&M:

Feelin' a bit like little red riding hood.

I was pulled off my feet when I saw it was only 10 EUR. 

What a coup. My favorite that day. 

Do you like it?

I got some other items as well, such as my new Eskimo-boots:

What do you think? 

Certainly not high fashion, but I quite like them for at home to comfort my all time frozen feet ;-)

On top of that I scored a lovely owl - print t-shirt, a cobalt blue scarf, a black scarf with reindeers and an Esprit body warmer to keep me warm at early-spring puppy walks (hopefully coming soon).

Ha! While I went shopping Josie sorted out all important business for me ;-) 

... And went back to sleep after the work was done!

Have a great week!

Love,

Svenja

xx

Friday Favorites

Yay, it's Friday -- the weekend is near and I would like to show you my favorites of today:

Let's get started with my outfit, one of my favorite casual outfits at the moment; starring: cobalt blue.

I preferably wear these pants with some high heels...

This time I picked black ones since it matches my black pullover I am wearing to this outfit.

I am addicted to this cobalt blue so my happybluebird loop / tube scarf would make a nice match to my pants I thought... 

I tried to catch a glimpse of the whole outfit by borrowing my little sisters mirror in her girly red room (she is 14). 

To make sure I wear enough of this stunning blue, I thought I might stick to the color handbag-wise. 

Usually I won't leave the house without my beloved Longchamp-babies, but with this one I thought I might make an exception.

It just fitted too well to leave it in the shop.

Some of you might know that I really love handwritten letters. I think I mentioned it here ;-) 

Even off holiday-season I like to write letters -- ahem -- and receive them, ha ha.

That is why I had to get my hands on this beautiful writing paper.

I remember I had one similar set when I was very little. And when I saw it standing in the shop I knew I won't leave this place without it.

Fine writing paper by this manufacturer.

Of course I had to try it out straight away.

I even bought some ink for my pen. It feels so good to write a real letter sometimes.

People, I cannot say it often enough -- let's write more letters!!

And last but not least I am slightly obsessed by my new fragrance which I got for Christmas. Yahoo!

The new fragrance by Prada. 

Candy.

I had been eying on it a long time already and now I eventually can call it mine.

Now it's time to make plans for the weekend.

Did you plan anything fancy? What are your latest obsessions?

Love,

Svenja

xx

My recent obsessions

Lately I have not been up to much, but I thought I will share some of my recent obsessions with you:

My new bracelet which I got from my friend for Christmas.

Isn't it cute?

New tea for me: Best of British organic tea selection. So far I have tasted all but the green tea and they were delicious.

I was especially delighted with the Vanilla Chamomile herb infusion.

It is cold here. Very cold. This morning I measured -9C just outside our house. 

Brrr.

I try to keep warm with wearing some of my favorite knitwear items: Socks knitted by my grandma... 

And my new super warm and cosy knitwear jumper.

Obsessed by this random awesomeness...

Uhhh, and I had someone helping me blogging...

Josie!

Josie 16 weeks old

who was turning 1 year yesterday!!

Happy birthday, Josie!

She even got a few gifts which she enjoyed unwrapping.

For lunch she had a very doggilicious Cesar-meal. (I am not so much in favor of having stinky dog food in my fridge that is why she has to stick to dry food usually) We also did some extra play time as well as taking her out on long walks on her special day. 

Uh, and I also went to do some serious post-Christmas-shopping on Monday and I scored some beautiful things which I am going to show you these days!

Much love,

Svenja

xx

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