Snapshots of a weekend

Hello, everyone.  Hope you are enjoying your Monday.  Here is everything I was up to this past (looong) weekend.  Peter and I both had Thursday afternoon off, so we took a long but slow bike ride along the Pegnitz.  It was perfect: the sun was shining and was so warm and the landscape was fantastic.  Everything is in bloom, including tons of wildflowers in yellow, pink, blue and white.

On Friday, Peter and I were both off of work and we had lunch at a sweet little cafe in town.  I would highly recommend it if you are ever in Nuremberg.  It's called Cafe Lucas.  The location is prime and the food was surprisingly good.  The middle picture in the top row is of one of their flower boxes on the deck that overlooks the river.

I worked on Saturday and the nice weather from Thursday and Friday turned into clouds and cold.  Peter was at a race with his dad, so I relaxed at home alone after work and got some much-needed me time.  Sunday morning I had an excellent breakie of scrambled eggs, toast and fruit before Peter came home.

Oh, and in the bottom middle picture, you can see my newest and most exciting new BRK (like the German Goodwill) purchase.  I had seen this several times.  Don't know why it took me so long to finally get it.  It cost me 3 EURO.  Yes, 3!  I think I needed something bigger and more impact-making over the couch and this is perfect.  I adore how simple yet rustic it is.

Have a fantastic week!

Spring cleaning

You may have noticed a new look around here.

I thought that it was about time to give the blog a fresh (and floral) update for spring and summer.  Along with the update, I've given this little blog of mine a simple new title, to make it easier to remember (and pronounce! ü wha?).  It's still the same blog, with all the same coziness-making tips, but in a prettier dress.

(Some more improvements coming soon!)

Mothers

I can't believe how lucky I was 25 years ago, when I came into this world and into the arms of a truly amazing woman and a wonderful mother.  She, with her kind heart, thoughtfulness, strength, wisdom and willingness to put all things aside for her girls, has taught me the kind of woman I want to be and has shaped me into the woman that I am.  Thanks, mom, for everything you have done, everything you do, and everything you will do.  I don't say it enough, but I appreciate it so much and I love you with all my heart.  (And I can't wait to see you in less than a week!)

Then, 4 years ago, I was blessed again and came into another wonderful family, with an equally amazing mother.  Since then, she has been my home away from home, my caretaker, my wonderfully strong female role-model and the most amazing "mother-in-law" I could imagine.  Johanna, thank you for everything you do for me, for treating me like your own and for showing me that even halfway around the world, you can feel like you always have a mother to turn to.  I love you.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there.

Small changes, big difference (PART 2)

Do you remember this post about a month ago?  Well, here comes part two!  Today I have 5 more changes/improvements you can make for little to no cost.  These ideas come from House Beautiful magazine (Feb 2008) and are excellent for making a large impact on a small budget.

(Image from Lona de Anna)

1.  In spring, summer and early fall, stack wood in your fireplace.  (I've also seen people do this with books for a cool look!)

(Image from Better Homes and Gardens)

2.  Buy a large piece of artwork: a map, a poster or a print.  Cut it into equal parts, frame the sections separately and hang them together on the wall.

(Image from The Newlywed Diaries)

3.  Buy an inexpensive supermarket bouquet and pull it apart.  Put all the similar flowers in different vases for the look of a fancy bouquet in each room.

(Image from thisnext.com)

4. Don't buy a matched set of towels.  Instead, buy them in shades of one color for an ombre effect (Home Goods and Marshalls/Ross/TJ Maxx are good places for inexpensive but nice towels in the States).

(Image from No Place Like Home)

5. Buy a "collection" on eBay.  For example, buy a set of three white pitchers for $1-$8 and display them in your kitchen.

Gemütlichkeit is: water and a sunset

Last Friday night, Peter and I had a little date night.  It was wonderful and definitely needed, as we had spent the last few weeks constantly going in different directions, working at different times and only meeting up when it was to spend time with friends or relatives.  

We decided to take advantage of the weather and go to a beer garden/bar on the little lake in our neighborhood.  We sat as close to the lake as we could and enjoyed the evening, the beer, the birds chirping and good conversation.  Then, on our walk back, we rented a little row boat just as the sun was sinking behind the trees.

The boat rental only cost 5 Euro for 30 minutes and was by far the best 30 minutes of my entire week.  I love being on the water and the boat ride on Friday evening reminded me of my childhood summers spent on a lake in Michigan--which is still my favorite place in the whole world.  

It made me feel peaceful and energized at the same time.  It was great time to spend with my love just talking and enjoying the whole thing.  And, I am not going to lie, a man looks pretty darn hot when rowing a boat.  Of course, it doesn't hurt to feel just a little like you are in a scene from The Notebook.  Princess time.

Combining water and the sunset is one of the simple pleasures in life.  It costs almost nothing (except perhaps the gas money it takes if you have to drive to a lake or river) but is calming, inspirational and awe-inducing.  Whether it's a boat ride, a picnic or a simple walk, watching the sun set over the water is always good for the soul.  

Monday inspiration

Image from 5ftnif on Ink361 (a web interface for Instigram). 

Happy Monday, everyone!  How was your weekend?  Sorry about the general lack of posts last week.  It was kind of a busy one, but mostly, I just needed a little break from posting.  The weather was fantastic and a great deal of time was spent outside.  I was inspired--in many beautiful ways--but not to work on the blog.  I am hoping that a lot of good eventually comes from that inspiration, making a week of absent posts totally worth it.  I had a couple of realizations the last few days that will hopefully give me a chance to improve myself and improve my life.  What I need now is to just hold myself to them.  

In the meantime, I have been checking out a few things on the web and have found a lot of excellent bits of inspiration.  Right now, with the warming weather, the sun and the birdies that chip loudly early in the morning, I am being drawn to all things bright and airy and to the more rustic. 

Vintage/shabby chic bedroom that looks like a nice place to wake up on a summer morning. (Image from Petitevanou.)

I am totally in love with this bathroom.  I would LOVE to shower here every morning; it would give you such a burst of energy.  I also love the clever way the mirror and plant are hung over the shower head. (Image from Desire to Inspire by Prue Ruscoe)

A lovely kitchen with great vintage pieces and some summer fruits on the table.  (Image from Desire to Inspire by Prue Ruscoe)

Beautiful spring flowers.  How happy I am that it is spring again! (Image from Mr. Darcy is my hero)

Inspiration for a good day: coffee, flowers, fruit and paintbrushes.   I want to get back into art and especially want to start taking pottery classes again (I took them a few years ago).  This gives me the push I need.  I love all these inspirational photographs from 5ftnif on Ink361 (a web interface for Instigram). Check them all out!

And another one from 5ftnif on Ink361. 

A beautiful workspace from DustJacket. 

I've been oohing and ahhing over this tiny studio in S.F. for weeks now.  Isn't it gorgeous? (Image from Apartment Therapy.) 

When I am in need of a little inspiration I always turn to the website Inspired by Tamar.  She always has the most beautiful collection of images.  You can also check out my Pinterest boards to see what is inspiring me daily, from decor to food and fashion.

I wish you a beautiful Monday, a lot of inspiration and a great week!  

This is Germany in the summer

And it's why I haven't written all week. It's just been too gosh darn beautiful out. I'm motivated only to sit in the sun and listen to the sound of the breeze shake the leaves of the trees. You've got to love life--and spring/summer!