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Archives for October 2013

Happy Halloween.

October 31, 2013 filed under: holidays

Picture 047

This is a pumpkin I actually carved. 3 years ago. That’s how long it’s been since we carved pumpkins for Halloween. Pathetic, I know. I really like the idea of carving pumpkins, but every year – unless we have someone talk us into it – we usually keep postponing until all of a sudden… “oops, it’s Halloween. Too late!”

I admittedly have mixed feelings about Halloween. I really like the fall decoration and jack-o-lanterns and I love little kids getting dressed up, but I am not much of a costume person myself and there aren’t any kids in our neighborhood (no trick-or-treaters… which also means, no leftover candy! I see that as a good thing) and so every year, I am a little bit hemming and hawing when Halloween comes around. Our office is disappointingly boring when it comes to celebrating any holidays (I did consider just coming as a “Red Sox fan” today and I did wear my Boston sweater, but nobody noticed. Haha.)

J loves Halloween, mostly for the scary movies (which I, however, am not a fan of), so it can get tricky around here (← see what I did there?). I want to see “Hocus Pocus” and J wants to see “Halloween 2”. Compromising on this one is hard. We’ll see who wins this battle tonight.

Like every year, I need to mention that the (Catholic parts of) Germany  should be celebrating, too, because “the term Halloween, and its older spelling Hallowe’en, is shortened from All-hallows-eve, as it is the evening before “All Hallows’ Day” (also known as “All Saints’ Day”)” (Wikipedia) which we celebrate in Germany on November, 1. So,  it only makes sense that Halloween should be celebrated in Germany (and believe me, these days, Germany has undoubtedly adopted Halloween traditions like carving pumpkins and scary movies, as well as the opportunity to throw parties and get drunk!), especially considering that  the next day is a holiday  and people can nurse their hangovers. How very convenient.

So wherever you are and whatever you do tonight/tomorrow,

have a spooky Halloween.

3

My Red Sox ♥

October 30, 2013 filed under: love, sports

 

So yeah, me again. Talking about the same old. It’s no news… I’ve mentioned it a lot here lately: my love for baseball and my team, the Boston Red Sox. I promise you, this will be the last time for a while. Baseball season is officially over. But tonight was a special night. Tonight, my Red Sox clinched the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park in Boston for the first time in 95 years.

Oh, how much I wished I could have been in Boston for that.

I don’t have words for how much love and adoration I have for that team, their love for the sport, their athleticism and dedication. This was a brilliant year for baseball and to see this team come back from the worst last year and then go all the way to the World Series and not just play it, but win it in a landslide? A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!

Every single player in this team did their part. There was a different guy at every game coming through for everybody else. Baseball is a team sport and the Red Sox are a real team, guys who like each other and who like to play ball. They never gave up. They always stayed calm and focused until the very end and this is how they were able to make magic happen.

Despite all the other crap going on my life, tonight I am just truly happy.

2

Clarisonic Update: after one month

October 29, 2013 filed under: beauty

clarisonic_mia2_daybreak

So, as promised in my last post about the Clarisonic Mia 2, I am going to share some more thoughts about the gadget. I’ve had it for a little over a month now and I wanted to let you know what I think.

In one word: AMAZING.

No, really. I am so, so happy with it so far. My skin is softer, I feel like it is looking fresher and it absorbs products much better than before. Fine lines have diminished, my pores look smaller (at least I think so) and overall my skin feels glowier and healthier.

My Clarisonic Routine:

I currently use the Clarisonic twice a day. I’ve read that some people only use it at night or even every other day, but for me personally, I like to use it in the morning and evening (for now).

In the morning, I use the Clarisonic in the shower. As I mentioned last time, the Clarisonic is water-proof and perfect to use in the shower. In the morning, when my face is should be pretty clean from the cleansing the night before, I use a small amount of the Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash for Sensitive Skin and work the brush for one minute over my face. I also sometimes (not daily though) use it a second round on my neck and décolleté. When I get out of the shower, I use my Neutrogena toner and then immediately moisturize.

In the evenings, it takes a little bit more work. I usually start with removing any eye-makeup with a cotton pad and makeup remover. Then I use Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser  and rub a small amount on my face to remove any foundation or other makeup. I rinse my face and then apply a little more cleansing product to my face, wet the brush head and then start the 1-minute cleansing routine starting with my forehead. I move it around in small circular motions, then work my way over to my nose and chin area and finish with my right and left cheek.  I am not using much pressure, just let the brush head lightly move around on my skin.

The first few times, I was amazed how much product still came off my skin with the brush. You think (!) you’re doing a good job with your hands, but the brush really cleans your skin deeply.

As much as I wish I could report that I didn’t have any more breakouts since using the Clarisonic Mia 2, unfortunately this has not been the case. I did have a few more breakouts. If this is part of the “purging phase” or just my regular every-so-often breakout phase, I can’t say (yet). More insight on that hopefully to come with time.

Note: I always make sure to wash my brush with soap and hot water after cleansing, and then I dry it with a towel. You do not want to create a breeding ground for bacteria by leaving it wet and used on your bathroom counter. 

So what are the pros and cons overall?
Pros:
  • my skin is the softest it has ever been. No, seriously. It feels so nice to run your hand over it.
  • it only takes 60 seconds out of your cleansing routine. Totally doable. You know that the effort that you have to put into any skin care routine usually dictates how diligently you will use it over time and I feel that the Clarisonic really makes it easy to stick with the routine, because it requires such a short amount of time and effort.
  • small and convenient for traveling (comes with its own little travel case)
  • every time I use it, it feels like a mini-spa experience, because my skin feels so clean and pampered afterwards.
Cons:
  • I wish it came with a stand (I think the even more expensive Clarisonic brushes do). Our bathroom is very small and we don’t have much “counter space”, so I have yet to find a convenient way to keep the Clarisonic at hand.
  • the charge only holds about a week (especially when you use it twice a day like me). It’s not a big deal, but for travel, it’d be nice to not have to necessarily bring the charger along.
  • it hasn’t completely gotten rid off my breakouts, but a) I am not sure if I am not still in the purging phase and my skin just needs more time and b) I am sure that other factors play a role for breakouts to develop and the brush can’t solve that problem alone. (So this might not even be a “con”.)
The verdict (after a little more than one month):
In my opinion, it’s absolutely worth the hype and money. I am planning to write more updates as I continue to use the Clarisonic, but so far I am really, really happy. It’s not a “miracle tool” that can take care of all potential skin problems alone, but I feel like it’s a great tool to add to your skincare routine that definitely has added benefits. I’ll share any new findings as I continue using it, if you’re interested.

1

2013 in pictures: week 43

October 27, 2013 filed under: a year in pictures

2013 in pictures: week 43

Spinach-Tomato-Alfredo • Greta’s birthday • 5 •
sunset • Halloween • Fall day •
Turkey burger • breakfast • World Series •

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October Birchbox

October 23, 2013 filed under: beauty

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I am sure you have heard of Birchbox. In the very rare case that you haven’t, it’s a monthly subscription service where you “receive monthly deliveries of high-end beauty and lifestyle samples from top brands. It’s the best way to discover new products and buy with confidence” (birchbox.com).
As usual, I am somewhat late to the party, but hey, better late than never. I am a sucker for stuff in the mail (who isn’t? And please, just look at this cute, simple brown paper box, which by itself almost makes the subscription worthwhile!) and a monthly surprise box with little goodies is just what makes my little heart happy. I do enjoy trying new products and what better way to discover and try new products for a reasonable price without having to buy a full-size version of something, only to realize that it doesn’t work for you, right? Right.

I kind of missed out on posting about the first Birchbox delivery last month, but did want to take the opportunity to blog about it this time.

So, you fill out a profile on the website and they kinda tailor the monthly box to your preferences and then you wait. They put together a varying number of differently stuffed boxes every month. I received Box #39 for October. To find out what box # you got, go into your account and click on “Box” and then “Women’s Box”.  Scroll down to the “Box History” section and then click on “October 2013″.  The last number in your URL is your box number (bb39 = Birchbox 39).

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Untitled

The October Birchbox theme is “Beauty Buzz”.  Here’s what I received (*calculated value of the samples in parenthesis):

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Bain de Terre Macadamia Oil nourishing shampoo ($1.51) and conditioner  ($1.70): I am slightly obsessed with any hair products that have macadamia and/or argan oil in them, because I feel like they really make my fine hair smooth and silky soft without weighing it down. Therefore, I am really looking forward to trying this combo. Preliminary bonus point: the smell is really, really nice.

Karuna Clarifying Treatment Mask ($7): Some honesty up front: I am not a face mask person. I’ve done it a few times in the past, but never with any consistency or great excitement. But: I’m willing to give this a try. This is a cloth mask (I’ve only done cream/lotion mask so far), so this will be interesting. It promises to calm irritated skin, and eradicate excess oil and bacteria.

Benefit Fakeup hydrating concealer ($2): For the longest time, I ignored the value of undereye-concealers and I really can’t tell you why, because I have been dealing with dark circles as long as I can remember. This concealer with crease-proof formula promises to effortlessly mask dark circles and keep skin hydrated for up to six hours. Promising.

ChapStick® Hydration Lock ($2.99): This is a Birchbox Find, which is an “extra” that they’ll send on occasion inside your monthly box, but these must-try extras are in addition to the usual samples—they never replace them. I do use chapsticks/lip balms quite a bit, so I definitely like this. There was also a $1-off coupon in the box to get another one with a discount. I approve!

The total value of the October Birchbox comes to $12.21 (without the “extra”) or $15.20 (with the “extra”). Not bad for a $10 investment. I know from some googling that sometimes the value can be even more than twice that much. I definitely feel that it’s a nice little splurge that is worth the money so far (ok, I’ve only gotten two boxes, but…), because I liked all the products that they sent me and it’s been a nice little surprise every month to look forward to.

Do you subscribe to Birchbox (or any other subscription services)? Do you like it?

4

Oh, to be five again.

October 21, 2013 filed under: birthday, family

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Today my sweet niece Greta turns five years old. FIVE YEARS. WHAAAT? I mean. How is that even possible? She was just a baby.

I talked to her earlier on the phone and it was like talking to a “grown up” person. She thanked me for her birthday gift (my sister said that she gave her the stick-unicorn – that she is holding – as a gift from me and Greta is IN LOVE with it, as you can clearly see) and she said that they were having a big party at her house. Haha!  Oh, too be five again. I would have loved a stick-unicorn like that. Oh and look, she can already perfectly write her own name (and actually her brother’s and my name as well).

As always, I wish I could be there to celebrate with her. There is not one birthday in our family that goes unacknowledged, there’s always birthday cake and a party! I think it’s so important to celebrate and honor the wonderful people in our lives.

My Mom baked this cool birthday cake for Greta. It’s called “Kalter Hund” (which literally means “cold dog”), because it’s a non-bake cake made out of butter-biscuits and chocolate (which in the old days you’d put together and then take to the basement to cool). Kids love it and it’s the cake that my Mom used to make for my sister’s and my birthday every since I can remember. Definitely brings back childhood memories and I most certainly wish I could indulge in a piece right now. I am so glad that she’s passing on this tradition. And yes, that would be cheesecake right next to it (with the birthday candles). Wouldn’t mind a piece of that either.

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Did your Mom/grandma make a special cake for your birthday when you were little? Do you have any other birthday traditions?

6

2013 in pictures: week 42

October 20, 2013 filed under: a year in pictures

2013 in pictures: week 42

Real Simple • care package • more mail •
chicken stew • birthday mug • birthday •
birthday cake • pizza • Red Sox win •

1

Friday Facts

October 18, 2013 filed under: Friday Facts

Fridayfacts2 As of yesterday, I am back at work. Hooray! I am so glad Congress came to a resolution and we were able to return to work (although one might wonder: what in the world was this whole shutdown for in the end? Did anybody win? Or did ordinary people – and politicians – just lose big time all around?)

* * *

Because of aforementioned news, I am in the office today. Most Fridays are not scheduled work days for me (I work a flex schedule), but I need to make up some hours for this week. Unfortunately, it’s J’s birthday today and he loses out on having breakfast with me, but hey, we have the whole weekend to celebrate. Also: he got an early birthday present last night when the Red Sox beat the Detroit Tigers and they are leading the ALCS 3-2 now.

* * *

I had a pretty good mail week… first, I got a surprise care package from Steph with some nice goodies including some “furry furlough socks” (ha!), which totally blew me away. Then, a day later, I received a “pay it forward”-package from my dear friend Kim with the cutest, handmade Köln-earrings, and then there was the November issue of Real Simple and my second Birchbox subscription. Good stuff!

* * *

Had some Toblerone chocolate this week. It will forever remind me of my late great-aunt (she used to get some  – usually the white chocolate kind – for me when I visited). It’s bitter-sweet.

* * *

So excited about the new Pearl Jam album which just came out a couple of days ago (and which I am giving J for this birthday today). I bought the actual CD at a store. We have all their physical CD’s and we needed to have this one. Can’t wait to listen to it.

TGIF!

6

October Link Love

October 15, 2013 filed under: link love

LinkLoveOctober

I’m switching from weekly link love to a once-a-month collection of my favorite blog links, which I will share mid-month (because most other people either share their links on Fridays or at the end of the month and I want to do something different; also, why the hell not? Exactly!).

* * *

I could really relate to Kate writing about not having any friends still. Anyone else?

10 not so obvious blogging tips

In case you work at a Mexican restaurant, here’s how to not assemble a burrito.

That is a great question: How do you find the people that are right for you?

6 Benefits of being a morning exerciser – this makes me think if I should give morning exercise another chance. But it would be so freaking early for me. Mmh. What time of day do you work out?

Ever met someone with OCS, an “oppositional conversational style“?

I didn’t love my wife when we got married. Say what? But wait, you need to read this.

My friend Mandy wrote about “Learning Lessons” and it hits close to home.

Freebie download!  23 free fall foliage photoshop brushes.

The 10 best things about your best friend, do you have someone like this?

The Bloggess talks about the government shutdown, how “we are the government” and how we can approach what’s happening in this country.

12 things happy people do differently

Do you love quotes as much as I do? Here are 15 inspiring quotes on creativity.

When pure honesty gets you a spot in the Huffington Post. Akirah explains why she told 150 wedding guests that my husband does not complete her.

Sometimes it’s hard to admit, but here’s The Anatomy of F*cking Up and What Happens Thereafter….. alla Chelsea.

A millenial’s outcry, some real talk from Abby, because life is hard.

25 things to enjoy this October.

1

Weekend Recap

October 14, 2013 filed under: friends, sports, weekend

As I mentioned in the Friday Facts post, we spontaneously went to Napa Valley on Friday to meet up with some friends from Germany/Switzerland who are traveling in California right now and who had contacted us on short notice to see if we wanted to meet up with them. Of course, we wanted to! It gaves us a very welcome excuse to get out of the house and since Napa is only an hour drive from here, it was a convenient place to meet up.

My friend suggested to meet up at Robert Mondavi Vineyard & Winery (which is my Dad’s favorite and I assume he shed some tears when I sent him a picture from our visit). The weather was perfect and we enjoyed the wine and the scenery.

Robert Mondavi Winery

Robert Mondavi Winery

It was so nice to hang out with some friends. We don’t get to many visitors over here, so whenever we get the chance to meet up with friends who are passing through our neck of the woods, we jump on the opportunity (screw what I said about not traveling and spending money – this was worth the exception!).

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my friend Ilka and me

Robert Mondavi Winery

Robert Mondavi Winery

Robert Mondavi Winery

We went and had lunch at “Rutherford Grill” up the road, a pretty popular place. There was an hour wait and we ended up getting drinks on the patio while we were waiting for a table. The time flew by quickly because of great company and conversation. We got a table inside and had delicious food for lunch. J had ribs and I had Bangers and Mash. My friend’s husband ordered kale salad and I have yet to figure out what kale is in German. The dictionary says “Grünkohl“, but I am not sure if this is really the same thing (fellow Germans, enlighten me, if you have a clue).

Rutherford Grill

Napa Valley

Napa Valley

In the afternoon, we decided to stop at Dean & DeLuca Delicatessen. It’s not really an option to not stop there when you’re in Napa, am I right? We got some afternoon coffee and perused the store for a while. After some more talking, we had to say goodbye and J and I headed home and our friends drove back to San Francisco, where they were staying for the night. I am so glad we had the opportunity to spend the day together!

Napa Valley

Napa Valley

Other good things this weekend:

Red Sox baseball (did you see the game last night? The Red Sox were down 1:5 until the 8th inning against the Detroit Tigers and  came back with a Grand Slam in the 8th and a hit in the 9th to win 6:5 – woot!) ♥ Zucchini bread ♥ gym time ♥ afternoon naps ♥ reading ♥ phone calls with my family ♥ tea ♥ candles ♥ a little rearranging in the living room ♥ hazelnut creamer ♥

How was your weekend?

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Hi, I am San – German native, dual-citizen living in beautiful Northern California. Runner. Knitter. Crafter. Reader. Writer. Proud aunt, sister, and friend.

I’ve been blogging since 2004 and don’t intend to stop any time soon. If you are looking for personal content and making a  genuine connection, you’ve come to the right place.

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