Archives for April 2014

Photo of the week: Rosegarden

April 30, 2014 filed under: my so-called life

Hello photo lovers. What’s been up in your part of the world this last week? I am so excited to share my ‘Foto der Woche‘ with you again this week and I am very much looking forward to seeing your photos!

Without further ado, here’s my Glücklichmacher #17:

Rosegarden (taken April 29, 2014)

It was a beautiful day yesterday and I went for a walk at the park after work. The rosegarden is one of my favorite places in this town. There are so many different kinds of roses in a whole range of different colors. It’s quite lovely.

April Favorites

April 29, 2014 filed under: love, monthly favorites

1.) Some friends told me about the European Craft Magazine Flow and I couldn’t resist and had to order one issue to see what the hype was all about. It’s a Dutch magazine which is also available in German and they just recently came out with their first two international (English) editions. I really like the magazine, it comes with some creative extras and it’s worth the 6.95€ in Europe. The International edition, however, is 12.95€ + shipping which makes it a pretty steep prize for a magazine. I don’t think I am going to order it again, but I can see myself picking up another issue when I am going back home.

2.) I bought one of those Cuppow mason jar lids and it’s amazing. I love drinking out of mason jars (not just because they’re pretty, but also) because I like drinking from a glass rather than a plastic cup. This can also be used with a straw which is awesome for all cold drinks.

3.) You know that I am a big fan of making my own cards and I am very picky when it comes to store-bought cards, because usually it’s one or the other: either I like the design, but not the message on the card or vice versa. However, I am really liking Trader Joe’s Greeting Cards right now, because they have a lot of cute cards with beautiful designs and lovely messages that I fully approve of. And at $0.99 a pop, these are great to have in stock.

4.) I’ve been trying to stop using my beloved Coffeemate® in my morning coffee, because I know that the ingredient lists leaves a lot to be desired. I didn’t realize though how attached I had gotten to the Coffeemate® taste in my coffee and how hard switching to something else is going to be. One alternative that I found (and kinda like right now) is Organic Valley Hazelnut Half & Half. Do you have any other suggestions? (Non-GMO, carageenan(-and-other-crap)-free?)

5.) I usually go through phases with certain foods and this month Mexican food was my favorite. We especially like a little taqueria not far from our house. They have the best burritos in town – hands down!

6.) Like I said yesterday in the Birchbox review, I love pastel colors for nail polish and my current favorite is the Revlon Provence Color Stay Longwear Nail Enamel which is a light pastel purple-grey. So pretty!

What was one of your favorite things this month?

April Birchbox

April 28, 2014 filed under: beauty

This month I received Birchbox #21 and I was very pleased with all that was in the box! I was especially excited about the hair treatment and the nail polish!

Here’s what I received in this box (*calculated value of the samples in parenthesis):

Shea Terra Organics Rose Hips Black Soap Deep Pore Facial Cleanser ($4): This is a 100% natural, fragrance-free formulated facial cleanser and I am very excited to try it.

Davines Oi all in one milk ($10.37): I’m always excited about stuff that will make my hair healthier and happier. This multipurpose leave-in treatment is specifically formulated to moisturize and amplify your hair and I’m very much looking forward to trying it.

Color Club® Gala’s Gems Collection – Gold Stuck ($3.25): This nail polish doesn’t really look golden at all, but it has a nice shimmery light-pink pastel color. I am a big fan of more muted, pastel color and really happy with this.

Cynthia Rowley Beauty Eyeliner ($12): This eyeliner is almost full size and therefore a great value in this box! One can never have enough eyeliner. Definitely excited about this.

KIND Healthy Grain Bars – Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt ($0.79): I am usually a little bit hesitant when it comes to granola bars, because a lot of them are loaded with sugar, but this one is non-GMO, all natural and the sugar content is on the low side. Very intrigued to try it.

The total for the box this month was $30.41 and I got some great stuff for the $10 that I paid. I am really excited about all of this and can’t wait to try it.

2014 in pictures: week 17

April 27, 2014 filed under: a year in pictures

SoCal • Sunset • clouds •
caprese • yogurt • Real Simple •
going out • Rose Garden • antipasti •

Easter weekend recap

April 25, 2014 filed under: California, holidays, weekend

J and I took a little trip to SoCal over Easter to visit family and our weekend started off with this amazing view of Yosemite National Park from the plane. I honestly can’t get enough of it and try to get a seat on the correct side of the plane when we fly down in the hope of spotting El Capitan and Half Dome. I labeled them in the photo, in case you couldn’t spot them yourself (sorry for making assumptions!).

We had a wonderful, sunny weekend and I am warning you right now that this post is photo-heavy. I can’t see, however, why one would mind pictures of a sunny beach in April. I for one couldn’t get enough of it.

We went up to Ojai on Saturday and explored the little stores and had coffee.

Later we went to the Father Serra Cross Lookout and had this amazing view of Ventura and the ocean.

Then we went to the Pier and had dinner at the Aloha Steakhouse. I had an excellent Grilled Portabella Mushroom Salad. Yum.

On Easter Sunday we had a slow morning with coffee on the patio. Later we had a delicious BBQ lunch and then went to the beach again. Basically, we spent a lot of time close to the water. It always makes me feel like I am on a mini-vacation.

How was your Easter weekend? Did you hang out with family or do something fun?

Photo of the week: SoCal Sunset

April 23, 2014 filed under: my so-called life

Hi photography nerds, it’s time for the ‘Foto der Woche‘ and I am happy to share my Glücklichmacher #16 with you. I mean, can anyone get enough of amazing sunsets? I didn’t think so!

SoCal Sunset (taken on April 19, 2014)

We spent last weekend in Southern California with J’s family and it always gives us the opportunity to hang out at the beach. Waiting for the sunset when we’re there is one of my favorite things to do. Isn’t it just simply beautiful?

Currently vol.14

April 22, 2014 filed under: currently

Current Book(s): I am really bad at reading right now. Does my “Real Simple” subscription count? I need some book recommendations. Can you help?

Current Playlist: My running play list. Mainly 90’s music (Grunge FTW!).

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Trader Joe’s Hawaiian Salt & Vinegar chips. Man, they’re tasty.

Current Color: mustard yellow.

Current Drink: Coffee. Lots of coffee.

Current Food: home-baked bread.

Current Favorite Show: Parenthood. I am watching this on my own time (J doesn’t want to watch it with me), but I usually get an episode or two in on a weekend morning and I just love all the characters in the show. I am looking forward to seeing them.

Current Wishlist: Some more clarity. I know this is vague, but maybe I can share more soon.

Current Needs: 48 hours in a day! I feel like I say that all the time.

Current Bane(s) of my Existence: too many thoughts in my head. Sounds familiar?

Current Celebrity (Girl) Crush: Melissa McCarthy. I think she’s beautiful and hilarious inside and out.

Current Outfit: Jeans, flip flops, tee.

Current Excitement: A Jury Summon. Ha! Here I was thinking that I wasn’t going to get one any time soon (as I had to decline the last time around when I was not yet a citizen), but I guess driver’s license renewals put you back up at the top of the list. This will be interesting (as we don’t have jury duty in Germany – maybe I’ll explain the German judicial system in another post!)

Current Link: If you’re a little health-conscious, this is an excellent educational site: The Environmental Working Group.

2014 in pictures: week 16

April 20, 2014 filed under: a year in pictures

French toast • lunar eclipse • BLTs •
flow • Yosemite • the beach •
VW • Ventura • sunset •

Photo of the week: Rosegarden

April Favorites

April Birchbox

2014 in pictures: week 17

Easter weekend recap

Photo of the week: SoCal Sunset

Currently vol.14

2014 in pictures: week 16

Blogging through the COVID 19-crisis: Are you ready to ditch the mask yet?

Tuesday Topics | When the world goes to hell in a handbasket, or why I caved and finally got a Peloton

Where did the time go?

3: Things you didn’t know about me

Currently | June

The day I met Jon

A snapshot of my day | 8/10/2021

CURRENTLY | October

Tuesday Topics | 2021 mid-year review

6: The 6th annual Secret Santa (Mug) Swap