LIFE LATELY 12

Whenever the weather allows it, we go outside and enjoy the sun. Last week we were lucky, there was not only the weekly market with all the fresh fruit and flowers but also on Oldtimer Car Show that Russ enjoyed very much.

Both pictures taken from the official website

For my sisters Birthday we went to see the Musical 'Tarzan'. It was absolutely beautiful. I love going to shows and this one was very different from every show I've seen so far. 

My favorite read this past week was:

Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler is a beautiful and heart-wrenching novel on an interracial couple in the segregated South.

I really enjoyed reading this novel, when I asked a friend of mine if she new any similar books she recommended the website What Should I Read Next. You put in the last book you read and it gives you a bunch of suggestions for your next read... 

While looking at sunglasses I feel in love with these two pairs by Marc Jacobs. 1 / 2

LIFE LATELY 03

It is officially spring in Germany! My sister and I spent the day outside and did some tie dye, so watch out for the tutorial coming next week. I also bought some new art that I want to hang in the living room. And I love my Frida pillows more every day!

This week I want to share some tattoo inspiration with you. I've been thinking about getting another tattoo for quiet a while and here are some pieces I love by tattoo artists I follow on instagram. You can find them on instagram under their names that I left on top of each picture.

I hope you had an amazing week.

LIFE LATELY 02

Watch out because for all the crazies (the good kind)! It is 'Karneval' in Germany. It is basically a five day long Halloween with parades and tons of public drinking. If you enjoy dressing up and partying this is YOUR holiday. I was not in the mood for dressing up or drinking this year, so I skipped out on the whole 'festäng'/ thing. Instead Russ and I spent a day in Brussels. It was our two year anniversary last week and since we haven't really gone anywhere lately we decided to hop on the train to Belgium.

I also want to share some of my favorite reads and finds again:

PostSecret. You are probably already aware of this blog, but in case you are not, go check it out. I have to admit I get a tingly feeling reading other peoples secrets, there is something about it...

Jessica of How about Orange doesn't only create a mean Oscar Bingo but she also helps you to shorten your time waiting for the Oscars to start with a bunch of quizzes and other fun stuff. Do you watch the Oscars?

9 Practical Party Planning Tips for the Unpopular and Awkward. Yes. When it comes to parties I am awkward. Nights before I can't sleep because I fear that nobody shows up. What would be even worse if nobody showing up? Inviting tons of people and only 2 or 3 showing up. So if you're with me on that read this post.

Then there is this:

Thrift Core on Etsy does not only sell awesome Vintage 

they also have this amazing poster to go with it.

Frida Broche by And Smile. 

I am obsessed with Frida Kahlo, in a good way of course.

The perfect vintage summer dress. 

I hope you all had an amazing week! Any good finds or reads you want to share? I'm all ears :)

LIFE LATELY 01

I've had a pretty good week...Russ treated me to a pedicure today, which totally made my day and let's be honest - my week. I haven't gotten one since we moved here from Cali. I decided not to spend the money and started my private little home spa, but getting a professional pedicure was nice. I might have to go back. For Valentines Day I got beautiful flowers and got to craft some awesome salt dough gift tags. Also,  Russell's parents sent us a HUGE package with a bunch of our favorite candies, cute guest towels, and new pillows. So nice! We also redid our living room. We were given a TV so we had to do some re-arranging. Besides the TV we also got some of my Oma's chairs, we now have matching dining room chairs. Is it weird that matching chairs make me feel like a real grown-up?

I've also had some time to catch up on my favorite blogs, so here are some posts that I think are worth reading.

Emma of A Beautiful Mess shares her personal story. It is very inspiring and no matter were you are in your life right now, it makes you appreciate what you have.

Katie of Skunkboy starts a Disposable Camera Challenge. I love the idea and decided to take part in it. I'll make sure and post the outcome so you guys can see. Let me know if you are taking part as well.

Stephanie over at Listful Thinking posted a piece on fashion. Not the kinda fashion post you think of. Make sure to check it out.

How has your week been so far? Any good reads? 

WHAT'S IN MY...BACKPACK?

I'm telling you right up front: I never thought I'd like backpacks never mind writing a blog post about them BUT I bought this awesome Herschel backpack and I love it. It all started because I suddenly had really bad back problems from carrying a tote bag with too much stuff in it on the same shoulder all the time. So when I found this cutie I had to have it.

Did you see the inside? It has a car design. Yeah. That's how I roll. So now that you saw my backpack I'll show you WHAT'S INSIDE MY BACKPACK.

Here it is, the inside of my backpack. I usually have a bunch of books, magazines, or articles in my bag because I commute to work and school, so I use that time to catch up on my reading. I also take my Moleskine calendar everywhere. I know everyone has a calendar on their phone and it could easily subsitute a real calendar, but I've had a calendar since middle-school and I love keeping them. For me they function as calendar/diary/reminder/to-do list. Then of course I take my phone and some hand lotion...

My wallet was a present to myself when I started my first real job. I love it. Two years ago for Christmas my sister then gave me the matching Marc Jacobs key chain! 

Since I spend my days on the run, I try to take my drinks with me. This bottle is great because it is light, easy to clean and doesnt spill in my bag! Yay! It has an 'auto seal' function that prevents spillage and makes it perfect to take with me. Also: I can refill it very easily, so another plus!

Add some snacks/breakfast/lunch and you have the inside of my backpack all layed out in front of you. 

Anything special you keep in your backpack? Do you even have a backpack?

THIS IS HALLOWEEN...

Last night we went pumpkin carving at my mom's house. My sister did a Jack Skellington and I tried my carving skills on Oogie Boogie. I think they turned out good. I also updated my chalkboard for the upcoming holiday. What are you last preparations for Halloween?

Hop on over to Creadienstag to find more creative Halloween ideas...

DIY: EASY WEDNESDAY AND PUGSLEY ADDAMS

Shirt: ASOS, Short: Quicksilver, Socks: amazon.com, Shoes: Vans

Dress: Wheretoget, Shoes: N.Y.L.A., Tights: Forever21, Nailpolish: OPI

So one of my favorite Halloween activities is watching the Addams Family and carving pumpkins. So another one of our Halloween ideas is to dress up as Wednesday and Pugsley Addams. I love Wednesday and I think it would be so much fun to dress up like her, with the braids, the porcelain skin, and a old doll...

One little piece of advice: If you don't own a dress with a white collar, but a simple black dress you can always make your own collar. Find a tutorial on how to make a detachable peter pan collar here or one for a collar necklace here.

Have fun! I'll hop over to Creadienstag right now to check out some more fun stuff :)

DIY - T-SHIRT PRINT

I am obsessed with stripes. Naturally my closet is filled with striped tee's, skirts, dresses and sweaters. 99% of them are store bought. When I saw the cute tutorial Liz of C&C posted I went ahead and bought some fabric paint. Here is what I did:

1. I took a grey shirt that I bought a while ago, but never wore, some black and metallic fabric paint, a paint brush and some painters tape. 

2. Then I outlined the stripes with the tape.

3. Staying within the outlines I started painting the stripes onto the shirt.

4. To give it a special feel I made one of the stripes metallic instead of black.

5. I let the paint dry.

6. Took of the tape and ironed over the shirt to fix the paint.

Check out Creadienstag for more cute and fun DIY projects.

FUN WITH FRIENDS

Last weekend we went to Hamburg. It was Russell's first time and we enjoyed showing him around and seeing things through his eyes for the first time again. Spending quality time with our friends and getting away from our daily lives was fun.

FANCY AIRPORT FOOD

Sounds impossible right? Well, it is not. Russell took us to a place where airport food is actually delicious and comes with an Oreo Smoothie. But let me start in the beginning. Since it is my last week here in sunny California, Russell, Sam and I got up 'early' and drove up the coast to Ventura, to go to the flea market at the Fair Grounds. We got there and instead of the 105-degree Valley weather we were greeted by a nice ocean breeze...We made our way around, I shopped some vintage dresses and scarves and the boys had corn dogs.

Then Russell took us to The Waypoint Café at the Camarillo airport, a tiny airport that is fun, fun, fun! The food was delicious and there were planes taking off and landing like crazy. It was definitely a great place to have one of my last U.S. lunches.

Outfit: Top: Hinge, Skirt and Belt: Thrifted, Sunglasses: Prada.

To end the perfect day Russell's brother, Anthony, and his wife, Shannon took us out for an amazing dinner and hookah. It was the perfect last sunday in California.

DIY - STATEMENT NECKLACE

I found the inspiration for this Statement Necklace on one of my favorite blogs A Beautiful Mess. I love the idea of using Parachute Rope, but I wanted mine to be a little more nautical. So I went to Michael's and bought the following:

2 Packages of Hemp Rope
1 Package of thin Hemp Rope
1 Clasp
1 Necklace

You will also need:

Fabric or Electrical Tape
Scissors
Handheld Wire Cutters

Start with cutting the rope into 8 inch pieces and aligning an even number of ropes on the table.

Then braid the rope pieces. Be careful and keep the braid flat, like this: 

Close both sides of the necklace with electrical tape.

I added a little charm for the looks.

Then you add your clasp onto the necklace and connect the necklace to the rope. After that you have  a cute nautical rope necklace.