Archives for March 2016

March Favorites

March 31, 2016 filed under: monthly favorites

1. My friend Kate recommended It’s a 10 miracle leave in product in one of her “Things I am obsessed with”-posts recently and it made me want to try it immediately. I am equally happy with this product and will buy it again.

2. I had the ThredUp app for the longest time on my phone, but rarely opened it (because I didn’t want to get sucked into wanting all the things (for a good price!)… but I had a refereal credit and finally caved and ordered a dress and some pants for $40 (retail would have been more like $300) and I am pretty happy with that.

3. I found these 686 Authentic Gossip Softshell Pants online and I am so glad I ordered them. I just love them. They’re awesome and unique and fit like a glove. I loved wearing them in the snow last week. Also, I got them on sale AND earned Ebates cash back on top of that. BAM.

4. Juniors’ Mudd® V-Neck Tee Ivory Feathers – Love this shirt! I was shopping for some shirts for my niece and nephew when I came across this shirt and it magically landed in my cart. Don’t know how that happened. And yup, I still shop in the junior’s department. Don’t you? 40 be damned.

5. Pilot Acroball This pen! It’s almost taking over the top position from my all-time favorite Pentel R.S.V.P. pen.

6. Hot chocolate (from my favorite place in Val Gardena). This looks pretty close to the real thing. I’ve had his every single day that I was in Italy (Well, I wish. I had it twice though and it was glorious). The bestest hot chocolate I’ve ever had. I am not exaggerating.

8 fun Instagram accounts I follow

March 24, 2016 filed under: photography, this and that

I don’t know about you, but I very rarely follow accounts on Instagram just to see “pretty pictures”. Instagram is a platform for me where I connect, so I usually follow people that I “know” (personally or through the Internet ;)) and where I have an invested interest in that person and or their art/business.

However, there are a couple of Instagram accounts that I randomly came across and which I solely follow because of their beautifully curated photo streams. Today I want to share a few of those with you. I have no personal connection to these Instagrammers (ok, except for the first one!), and yet, I love to see their photos pop up in my stream every day.

@wehandstand This is my (not-so)“little” cousin’s project. I participated too. Just not as graciously as the other people who submitted their awesome handstand photos. At least, I had location going for me (Horseshoe Bend, AZ – lower right).

@dailyoverview The geography nerd in me likes the bird’s-eye views from above. I mean, isn’t this cool?!

@Wrightkitchen Beautiful color schemes with food. So pretty to look at.

@Cocolavine Because I secretly always wanted to be a ballerina, but I am not sure I would have had the discipline and I am glad I didn’t ruin my feet with these pointe shoes.

@weareknitters If you’re a knitter, you want to check this one out. They have a website with knitting kits as well. Really awesome.

@coffeenclothes Can you tell I have a thing for flat lay photography? Is this coincidence or ‘a thing’ right now?

@stumptowncoffee Duh! Coffee. What else?

@valgardenadolomites You know that one already. Beautiful photography from the Southern Alps that make me nostalgic for my childhood.

Recommend one of your favorite Instagram feeds in the comments!

Val Gardena

March 21, 2016 filed under: about me, excitement

Gorgeous mountain tops. Beautiful skies and lots of snow.

Val Gardena is where my parents took us skiing every single year since my sister and I were 3 years old and I have soft spot for this place in my heart.

I realize that it seems like I have some self-tormenting tendencies by subscribing to the Val Gardena Instagram account, but it also makes my heart skip a beat every time a familiar mountain top or ski slope shows up in my feed. And I’ve been waiting to post this blog post for about 8 weeks now, because when you read this, I will be THERE!

The Dolomites are part of the southern Alps in South Tyrol/Northern Italy. The coolest thing about the area is the enormous skiing area (including the Saslong, a World cup downhill race course and annual venue for the Men’s Super G (super giant slalom), which I’ve been on many, many times). Then there is the Sella group, a plateau-shaped massif, that you can ski around in the winter. The ski circuit around the Sella group is called the Sella Ronda. It’s an all-day trip and amounts to a sort of merry-go-round for skiers, the only one of its kind, a series of ski-lifts and downhill runs, all linked to one another around the whole plateau (possible both clockwise and counterclockwise). It’s awesome and I can’t wait to do that again.

I am beyond thrilled that I was able to go home and celebrate my birthday with my sister (and the rest of my family) and almost even more thrilled to be spending 9 days with my whole family at this place that is near and dear to all our hearts.

For obvious reasons, I haven’t been back to our old stomping grounds in quite a few years and that’s why I am even more excited to spend a family vacation in a place where my sister and I shared so many precious childhood memories (and where we can make new ones with the munchkins). Plus, I am finally getting to ski again. It’s been a while and I can’t wait to get out there.

So, I am a little busy right now enjoying every second of this. In the meantime, please enjoy my (most likely) frequent Instagram updates.

Even though I hadn’t been to the Dolomites in years and don’t know when I will be able to come back, a little piece of my heart will always belong to Val Gardena.

March Link Love

March 16, 2016 filed under: link love

Brilliant. Go read. We’re the shit givers.

This is what sitting too long does to your body. Good lord.

This is why we should do this every day: 10-minute yoga for stress relief.

What women find in friends that they may not get from love. Female friendships FTW.

Mental illness is a result of misery, yet we still stigmatize it. I thought this was a very thought-provoking read.

We all want this, right? The complete guide t0 breaking your smartphone habit.

Knitters, check it out: How to knit the triangle stitch pattern. Beautiful!

Lazy skillet lasagna. Yum!

Daily Life | 16 iPhone apps that I use (almost) every day

March 14, 2016 filed under: daily life

1) Instagram – I love Instagram with a passion. It’s without a doubt my favorite social media platform. I have two accounts – a private one (@san_in_ca) and a public one for my blog (@theinbetweenismine.blog). Do you follow me? Or, more importantly, do I follow you?

2) Pocket The Pocket app is such a life saver (it works as a browser add-on, too!). It’s the place where I can save all my recipes, blog posts, ideas and shopping websites on the go and easily find everything later. Thanks again for recommending this web service, Dominique.

3) Mailbox Outlook Mail I used to love the Mailbox app, but it got discontinued a couple of days ago, so I had to look for a replacement. My current favorite is the Outlook Mail app (who would have thought?). It has a neat design, separates ímportant email (focused) from everything else (other) and is generally pleasing to the eye and easy to use. I like.

4) Hootsuite – I prefer Hootsuite over the official Twitter app. Well, at least that was the case when they had my own tweets and @replies color-coded (which they’ve gone back and forth about between recent updates – note to Hootsuite: please bring it back!). I do like the way you can “quote” other tweets, but I am currently checking out the regular Twitter app again. Which app do you use?

5) Runtastic Pro – I am paying for this app, because I wanted to be able to take advantage of all the training plans they offer (otherwise you pay for each plan individually). This has really helped me get back into regular exercise and even run a race!

6) Whatsapp – This app – who doesn’t know it? – has been such a game changer when it comes to messaging with people overseas (and I do that alot!).

7) Facebook – I don’t spend a ton of time on Facebook, but of course, I am checking in regularly.

8) Fitbit I’ve been using the Fitbit app longer than I had a Fitbit and it’s a perfect tool to hold me accountable in regards to getting my steps in and tracking food and water intake. I don’t do this religiously, but it helps to keep an eye on what I am doing.

9) YNAB I’ve been using the budgeting software YNAB for almost a year now and I love it. The app simply integrates with the software and makes it really easy to track spending on the go.

10) Dashlane – If I ever lose my master password for this app (which I don’t think will happen, but…), I am screwed. This app holds ALL my passwords. I wish not every side demanded slightly different rules for password creations (some allow special characters, some don’t, some want capitalized letters and numbers, some don’t…), but this is the best way to keep track of all the passwords that you need in this digital age.

11) Evernote – I love this app: for jotting down some notes, for saving knitting patterns and recipes, for saving a quick picture to go along with a note. It’s perfect and so easy to use.

12. Podcasts – I’ve only recently gotten (somewhat) into Podcasts, but it’s nice to have them at your fingertips.

12) Feedly – I don’t do a ton of blog reading on my phone, but the Feedly app definitely is a nice extension to the desktop version and it comes in handy when I am on the go and I quickly want to check in with new blog posts.

4) NextDoor – I’ve only discovered this platform + app after we moved when we received an invitation to join NextDoor from our new neighborhood. It’s a little bit like Facebook, just for your neighborhood with tons of local news, heads-up and neighborly communication. I kinda like it.

15) MLB at Bat This is a must-have during baseball season. Just sayin’.

16) WordPress – I don’t really blog from my phone, but I love the option if I really can’t get to a computer and want to jot down some draft ideas. It doesn’t happen often, but it’s also nice to have the app to quickly correct typos (ahem!) or respond to comments.

* * *

Of course, there are a few more that I use (almost) daily (the Weather app, Frametastic for mosaicking pictures, Phonto (for adding text to pictures), my Calendar app for reminders) but the ones up there are my essentials.

Are there any that you use on a daily basis and would like to recommend?

Travel essentials + off I go

March 11, 2016 filed under: lists!, travel

See you, peeps. I am off to Germany today!!!

This is my birthday present to myself. I get to celebrate with my (twin) sister this weekend, which was my biggest wish and I think is more than appropriate this year.

I’ve decided a few weeks ago that I really needed to spend my birthday with my sister this year and so I made plans and looked into flights and here we are. I tried to plan ahead and there will be some scheduled posts while I am gone. In the meantime, just think of me and my big fat smile on my face.

Right now, I am sitting at the airport (with coffee and a book! Living the dream!) waiting for my transatlantic flight and that’s a good time to talk about my travel essentials.

I think you could say that I am an experienced international traveler what with my semi-regular visits back home to see my family. I’ve somewhat become an expert in packing my suitcase (especially ever since they lowered the weight limit to merely 50 lbs, which is ridiculously little for longer travel ) and carry-on bag. I have definitely learned over the years to be mindful and particular about the items I deem worthy to take along.

I try to travel as lightly as possible, because there is nothing more annoying than schlepping stuff around airports. I don’t know about you, but I am usually a sweaty mess as it is when I arrive at the gate. I really don’t need to lug around more stuff than necessary. Still, I – like everybody else, of course – have some travel necessities.

Here are my must-haves for (longer) airplane trips:

Comfort/personal care

Grove Hand Sanitizer – I don’t travel with hand sanitizer in your purse. There are plenty of opportunities to be exposed to germs when you travel and why not protect yourself as much as you can. I use this hand sanitizer (It’s from ePantry and it’s my favorite!) that smells like blood oranges and it’s just lovely.

Makeup bag – yes, I have this beautiful red polka dot one. Some of the essential items that are in my make up bag – in travel size, if available – are deodorant, a good moisturizer, a travel toothbrush and/or mouth wash, makeup basics for freshening up your look, hair brush and bobby pins.

Blanket scarf– I don’t go onto a longer flight without a blanket scarf. It looks stylish (if it’s cold enough to wear it), comes in handy as a blanket, shoulder wrap or pillow on your flight.

Socks – You never know. I am one of those people with notoriously cold feet and I’d rather be safe than sorry when it comes to carrying a second pair of socks.

Neck pillow – (I have a cheap inflatable one from Target – it does the job). Originally, I thought that neck pillows are kinda silly, because you can just roll up your sweater and rest your head against the window, right? Well, unless you don’t have a window seats and ever since I intentionally book aisle seats on longer flights (because I like to be able to get up whenever I want without bothering a stranger in the aisle seat), I’ve come to love the neck pillow.

My wallet (+ passport) – of course.

Snacks

A water bottle – I hate not being able to take along a bottle of water when I travel and buying stuff at the airport is so expensive. So, lately I’ve been carrying this water bottle with me when I fly (and elsewhere) which I take empty and can fill at a water fountain after I went through security.

Almonds – My favorite nuts and they always hit the spot.

A piece of chocolate/candy – I get a queasy stomach sometimes and having a piece of chocolate candy usually helps to calm it. Twix is my favorite.

Pretzels – It’s good to have something salty, too.

Electronics

iPhone + headphones – That’s a no-brainer, right? Nobody leaves their house without their smartphone and headphones. It’s like these things are a given.

External battery + charging cable – Duh! Besides the fact that my iphone 5s is slowly but surely deteriorating in the battery department, it’s always a wise idea to bring along an external battery (I have this one) when you travel. You don’t know how long you’ll have to be away from a power outlet and being able to use your phone might be vital.

Entertainment

Knitting – Well, you gotta have something that keeps your hands busy. Knitting for me.

Nook – (Yes, I still have the “old school” Nook Classic 2. I still don’t have a tablet. Nope, this eReader works just fine.) I downloaded a few books from the local library, so I should be good for the time that I am gone.

Sudoku – I am one of those people who enjoy a good puzzle when I travel. I almost never do Sudoku (or other) puzzles at home, but when I travel, I always have a Sudoku book with me.

What do you bring when you travel? Anything that you’ll put on your list after reading this? Anything I forgot?

10 things I learned in my 30’s

March 10, 2016 filed under: about me, birthday, real life

Today I am turning 40 years old and I am kind of in shock, because I have no clue where the last decade went. I have a feeling that most people feel that way.Time perception is a weird thing. I’ve always felt like I lacked a few years behind my actual age. I am just now about ready to embrace my 30’s, but here we are: poof, and they’re over. I once read that time seems to ‘speed up’ the older we get and I feel that is (mostly) true. A six- week summer break felt super-long when I was a teenager. Now, I blink and 6 weeks are gone.

I loved my 30’s for the most part. They were not without challenges, but overall, I felt more certain of my place in this world and more secure in my own body. There is some sort of peace that goes along with getting older that I really appreciate. You stop sweating the small stuff.

I’ve grown and been stretched in many different ways in the last decade and I want to share some of my wisdom *cough* with you. Here are 10 things I learned in my 30’s:

What you do with your life is nobody else’s business.

It really isn’t. A lot of people will have opinions along the way, but what you do with your life, who you love and where you life is really your own decision. Nobody has to be happy with the decisions but you.

You can’t please everyone.

This must have been the hardest lesson for me to learn. I always thought that I really didn’t care that much what other people thought of me, but alas, I do care deep down inside and always tried – consciously or subconsciously – to please every damn person. Turns out, that’s not really doable and you get into situations where inevitably you’ll hurt or let someone down. Sometimes the person you have to put first is yourself.

Don’t waste time on things you don’t enjoy.

I used to proudly say that I am not a quitter and that was just the expression of an internal truth. I always wanted to do – and keep up – everything. Well, but there comes a time where you have to start prioritizing your time and energy and that’s when you also have to make the tough decision that you shouldn’t waste time on things that you don’t really enjoy.

Live within your means.

I’ve always been more of a saver than a spender. The recent spending frenzy that came with the acquisition of our house and many related purchases made me feel uneasy at times. The good part: we had money for all of this and it makes me feel good to know that we live within our means – and always have.

Comparison is the thief of joy.

It is hard – especially in times of Instagram and Facebook – to not get sucked into the comparison game. People share their joys and accomplishments with the world, hit milestones left and right and share them instantly, which on one hand is really, really wonderful. But sometimes it makes it hard to feel like you measure up.
It’s not about not being happy for your friends (not at all! I am genuinely thrilled for them!), but having their joys – and mostly only their joys, nobody posts about struggles! – constantly in your face, can lead to a little less joy in your personal life. Sometimes it’s good to remind ourselves that not everything we see online is as picture-perfect as it seems. We are all guilty of just putting out the most joyful moments, are we not? Focusing on our own lives (and less on the social media lives of others) every once in a while is a good thing. Moderation is key here.

Experiences > possessions

Enjoy and treasure your experiences. In the end, your memories are worth more than any material possessions. Nobody can take those memories away from you.

Age is just a number.

Like I mentioned before: I don’t know what 40 is supposed to feel like, but I do NOT feel 40. I have a feeling that most people say that. If I’d ask my parents how it feels to be in their 60’s, I am sure they will stare at me with a blank face and shrug their shoulders. Is this what getting older feels like?

Let’s just focus on the here and now then.

Every year is a gift.

I try not to dwell on the fact I am getting older. Experiencing my bff’s battle with brain cancer and knowing about other people who have dealt with serious (health or personal) issues in their young lives, I try to remind myself that every year that I get to be healthy and happy (and somewhat carefree) is truly a gift that has to be appreciated.

You work to live, you don’t live to work.

I am going out on a limb here and say that 95% of people would probably happily quit their job and pursue other things if they could. I am one of those people, although I really like my job and (mostly) enjoy what I do on a daily basis. In the end though, my job is a means to an end and a work-life-balance is more important to me than money. What’s the point of earning more money when you never have the time and peace of mind to enjoy and spend it? As long as I have enough money to live comfortably and (mostly) without worry, I am good.

We’re nothing without our friends.

I’m happy to say that I have some amazing, long-lasting and strong friendships and they’re extremely important to me. I’ve known my most dearest and closest friends a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 37 years (feels unbelievable typing this out, but it’s the truth). Nothing really beats female friendship. Nothing.
Upward and onward. 40’s here I come.

Hello March

March 7, 2016 filed under: birthday, family

It’s my birthday month! Hooray. I love me some March. Especially when good things are on the horizon that will make me completely forget about the fact that I am turning 40 this week. I mean, WHAT?

I love birthdays (and think they need to be appropriately celebrated – every single one of them!), so I won’t let the fact that I am getting older (don’t we all!) ruin that. Three more workdays separate me from a rest of the month of fun!

On Thursday, I am taking the day off (I think birthdays should be mandatory personal holidays, don’t you agree?) and will start my day off with a relaxation massage. I had this gift card for the longest time and am finally putting it to good use.
Then J and I will head…. well, somewhere. I haven’t decided what I want to do with the rest of the day, but I am certain that I want to do something that I won’t forget. I don’t want to think back in a few years and scratch my head because I can’t remember what I did on my special day.

Unfortunately this week of all weeks, it looks like California will get dumped with lots of rain. I am not complaining, we need it, but I was kinda hoping for a sunny birthday, so we can go somewhere and enjoy the outdoors. Right now, that doesn’t seem to be in the cards. It’s been pouring all weekend and it’s supposed to stay this way for the rest of the week. We’ll just have to wait and see how it goes.

Then on Friday, I will be heading home to Germany! (ALL THE EXCLAMATION MARKS!!!)

I’ll get to spend my birthday (weekend) with my sister and then some more precious time with my whole family (and part of that time we’ll get to go play in the snow in the Alps for a few days!). I am beyond thrilled. I don’t get to spend many birthdays with my sister anymore, but if you grew up sharing your birthday with a sibling, it’s kind of a bummer to not be able to. The last time we were able to spend our birthday together was when we turned 30 and now we are making it happen again for our 40th. I think that at least sharing our big birthdays should be an unspoken rule (but I wouldn’t mind if it happened more frequently than that!).

So, this is going to be my March. Pretty amazing, I’d say. Do you think you can beat that?

Recipe: bread from the Dutch oven

March 2, 2016 filed under: recipe

This is my go-to recipe for bread these days and some of you have asked to share the recipe. Previously, I simply baked this bread on a baking sheet, but decided to try making it in a Dutch oven. I read that baking bread in a Dutch oven makes for a crispier crust and it makes the bread last longer, and that seems to be the case. It lasted for about a week (until the last slice was gone). Obviously, it’s best enjoyed fresh when it is still a little warm.

I usually really like to bake with sourdough starter, but since one doesn’t always have that on hand, this bread is a great alternative and uses ‘active dry yeast’. You need a little time for this (since you have to wait for the yeast to work and the dough to start rising), but the preparation itself is very easy. This is a rye-wheat mixed bread (1:2 ratio), but you can also play around with a mix of other flours like spelt or buckwheat.

And now, get baking!