Gift guide: Children + Pets

1. Kid O cutting fruit - it's never too early for good eating habits and training a sous chef.
2. likeabike - learning to ride a bike and balance
3. Alphabet magnatab - letter learning and penmanship
4. iwood / first laptop - creativity over technology
5. log pillow - for indoor camping and those that love nature
6. eames elephants - whimsical and beautiful elephant benches
7. giant ice cream lamp - who doesn't love ice cream?
8. green toys sandwich shop - for foodies in the making
9. pocked microscope - take a closer look at the world
10. sound effects machine - 20 sound effects for comedic situations
11. dogface army man toy - childhood favorite for dogs
12. wire + dine bowls - minimal and various heights for dogs of all sizes
13. you bake `em cat treats - for feline friends

14. dudley the dog - balloon shaped dog toy

15. laser cat toy - entertainment for hours

More pet sites:
nip and bone
Pet Solutions

wag

Marvis Toothpaste

There's something fun about picking up useful things on our trips. I love to explore the grocery and drug stores whenever we are somewhere new.

I also enjoy offbeat twists on the expected... different products from familiar brands or unexpected flavors that aren't typical where we live. 

This Italian toothpaste from Marvis is one such find. It's fresh, not overly sweet, and combines great flavors with a slightly minty finish and beautiful packaging. 

I picked up the Ginger Mint and Jasmine Mint (which is my favorite).

If you don't make it to Italy, but live in Munich, you can find it at Die Zahnbürste on Frauenstraße.  

It's also available in Florence at the following locations:
Penga - via dello Studio 8
Farmacia Molteni - Via dei Calzaiuoli 7R 

Gift guide: Cooking

I love giving gifts and the past couple years I composed gift guides with ideas for the holidays.

Here are some of the interesting cooking related things I've seen throughout the year.

There will be several more gift guides in the coming days and weeks.

1. Dr. Bird Juicer - A pretty hummingbird juicer to add some excitement to the mundane. (image imm)

2. Microplane Herb Mill - Quick and easy way to add fresh herbs to anything, plus fresh herbs smell delightful and I love microplane. (image microplane)

3. Lékué Decopen - This is a modern take on a decopen and had 4 interchangeable brushes, so you can make your meals look like the professionals. I like to write notes to Stefan on the edge of his plate. (image Lékué)

4. Quirky Waffler - This is in the pre-sale phase, because it was developed by an inventor. The waffle machine makes tiny cups, which can be filled with fruits or other breakfast delights. (image Quirky)

5. Jeni's Ice Cream - One of my favorites, and from my home state no less, is Jeni's Ice Cream. Even if Ohio isn't nearby you can order a few pints to have delivered. It's worth the splurge at the holidays and people tend to share edible gifts... (image Jeni's Ice Cream)

6. Carol Keys Measuring Spoons - Simple, yet beautiful and functional accessories to use while baking. (image imm)

7. Grass Holder - A fresh and beautiful place for letters or dishes. (image plastic land)

8. Norpro Bread Forms - An easy way to make canapés and shaped loaves of bread. (image Norpro)

9. Melamine plastic plates - 'Paper plates' that are great for a picnic or everyday use and recyclable as well. (image One Hundred 80 degrees)

10. Menu Stackable Cookware - Made by Christian Bjorn, these stackable oven dishes allow you to cook many things at one time and can go straight from the oven to the table. Form and function unite. (image A+R)

11. Bunny Dishrack - Chris Koens created this adorable dish rack, which would brighten anyones kitchen. (image design-3000)

12. Apron Cooking Guide - This is a great gift particularly for someone that lives abroad or does a lot of converting. (image John Caswell)

Happy gift giving!

Advent

Merging traditions is especially important around the holidays. It's difficult to be away from family and not be able to enjoy the festive foods, great company, and different ways of celebrating.

Since moving to Germany I've learned Christmas isn't complete without glühwein, lebkuchen, spiced nuts, Christmas markets, a fondue, and advent calendars.

My friend Emily and I are working on creating a great glühwein spice mix to send home to family. I have my Mother in law's fantastic lebkuchen recipe (Vielen Dank!) - my mom even used it last year and they turned out quite nice. The spiced nuts I make whenever it's even remotely chilly out, and the Christmas markets, well, they can't exactly be recreated. It's magical to stand under the glowing lights with the snow falling and a warm mug of glühwein.

Last, but not least, is the advent calendar.

Germans adore their advent calendars. It's a fun way to add some daily excitement to the Christmas season. I've seen plenty of calendars available, however this one takes the cake... it's so simple, pretty, and modern. The simple typography is stunning. Plus, you can easily reuse the tins year after year and for birthdays.

Stefan has since developed a fondness for American Christmas tunes, my Mom's cookies, my Grandma's baklava, having a Christmas stocking, and blinged out trees with an array of ornaments from our travels. He also appreciates the fact he gets to celebrate twice, since German Christmas is actually celebrated on Christmas Eve.

I'm already thinking of the fun things I'll be filling these tins with, which incidentally begins one month from today!

antique photos

One of my guilty pleasures is riffling through boxes of old photos at the antique stores. I love photos, so I find it very hard to imagine how someone could part with these. Surely they have many stories and a history behind them. There are babies, weddings, parties, and my favorite - vacations.

Some are the historical scenes of the lives that cities once lived, while others are people. I admit, I am the creepy person that has photos of people I don't even know.

My favorites are the kids at the zoo or people wearing lederhosen, just because they are funny. I'm not entirely sure what I will do with them - perhaps display them or introduce them to the 21st century and make them digital so I can share them here.

My city collection now consists of:
Rome
the Vatican
Florence
Venice
Capri
Paris
Pompeii
Dubrovnik
Salzburg
Brussels
Trier
Hamburg

I think about how far digital cameras have come and how precious these snap shots and limited film supplies once were.

Now someone's memories are having a second life and making me wonder about the experiences that made them worthy of being captured for posterity... even if posterity means a random American girl living in Munich.

A 30€ day in Munich + a giveaway!

The easiest way to save money in Munich is obviously by having a friend or family member living there... Yes, I'm talking to you friends and family who have yet to visit!

For the rest of you I composed a guide to a day in Munich on a budget of 30€.

As a special bonus to readers in Germany, the wonderful folks from gutschein-codes.de are sponsoring a 50€ Amazon.com gift card giveaway.

You can use their site for instant savings on travel or photo prints from your latest trip, as well as everyday shopping.

The contest is open to those with a German mailing address and limited to one entry per person. All you have to do is leave a comment about your favorite money saving travel tip or favorite place to visit in Munich between now and 7 March 2010 at 23:59 (CET). The winner will be chosen using Random.org.

Please make sure I am able to contact you if you win!

Viel Glück!

Below are some of my favorite places in and around the city center to enjoy on a budget. Munich is truly more of a village, so traversing on foot is relatively easy, although we do have a stellar subway system.

Simply click the image to enlarge it or print it out and take it along. There is also a map with the designated places marked below, so you can easily find your way.

Don't forget to leave a comment to enter the contest!

Here are a few of my tips:
- stay above ground so you can see more and make up for all of the walking with delicious foods
- stop by an apple store to check your emails for free
- many restaurants have lunch specials - eat a large lunch so you have energy to burn and because it's much less expensive.
- if you want to make your own 'bierprobe' purchase beer at the grocery where bottles are very inexpensive
- find groceries in the basements of many department stores and purchase drinks there


View 30€ day in Munich in a larger map

Other free activities to consider:
Gärtnerplatz - beautiful flowers and a great place to people watch
Olympic Park - this was the stage of the 1972 olympics, and if Munich has it's way, in 2018 it will be the first city to host both the summer and winter Olympics.
BMW Museum - the tours are not free, however going inside the museum and looking around is.
'Free City Tour' - guides work off of tips

Check back March 8th to see who won, and if you're in Germany visit gutschein-codes.de for more money saving opportunities!

The giveaway is over - congratulations to the winner: Andi!

Gift guide: Him + Her

1. Viva Terra Bamboo Radio - Handmade and a nice accent piece, that is both purposeful and beautiful. (image viva terra)

2. Acculevel removable propane tank gauge - Although he might have to wait a while to test it out it will give him something to look forward to in the warmer months. (image amazon)

3. Dress for dinner napkins - A great way to look dapper, even while dining. (image wishingfish)

4. credit card bottle opener - Sleek, easy to store and use. Plus don't you always love being able to save the day? (image fitzsu)

5. Bose quietcomfort 3 acoustic noise cancelling headphones - Great for travel or everyday life for the guy that loves music. (image Bose)

6. Parking Meter Alarm with Quarter Holder - Holds 10 quarters and keeps track of remaining time on the meter, so you can avoid tickets. (image spoon sisters)

7. etsy morelle truffle bag - A gorgeous and feminine catch all style purse. It's even large enough to hold a lap top! (image morelle / Elle Moss)

8. hand embroidered culture + comfort pillow - With a variety of cities and areas these beautiful pillows could provide a colorful reminder or a special time and place. (image uncommon goods)

9. nero shelf - A striking shelf designed by Nanni Holen that is sure to evoke compliments. (image huset shop)

10. object frames - I am still loving these simple, yet bold stated frames to show off your favorite things. (image the.)

11. napa style plant watering - A wonderful way to keep plants alive during a short get away. (image napa style)

12. Bloom flower light - Brighten things up during the dreary winter months. It also makes a great reading light, since it can be clipped virtually anywhere. (image World Wide Fred)

Gift guide: For a cause

1. Oregon Scientific +ECO clima control - a solar powered weather station for those who want to play meteorologist - and probably with better results. (image oregon scientific)

2. Battery Wizard - recharge your batteries - even those that aren't meant to be recharged. (image gizoo)

3. Darfur relief beads - Handmade beads that help sustain life for refugees. (image relief beads)

4. cuddly rabbit - a nice cuddly toy that doubles as a warming device. (image Volker Senger / branch home)

5. recycled wreath - A simplistic way to display holiday spirit with a touch of 'being green'. (image uncommon goods)

6. recycled sundial - You can feel a little better about your coffee habits after you purchase this sundial made from coffee cups. (image ecocentric)

7. Reader's Digest homemade - an interesting book that helps you to create homemade solutions for cleaning naturally or creating fresh products you would typically buy. (image Reader's Digest / amazon)

8. easy bloom - For those that have always wanted a green thumb, but need a bit of help. It will tell you what thrives best where you want to plant and includes a plant doctor assistant when you upload data. (image easy bloom)

9. hanging chair - a beautiful flat folding swing for two to get back to nature. (image ecocentric)

10. yoyo ceramics - a reusable solution for list makers and those that are always jotting notes. (image yoyo ceramics)

11. eco artwear wreath - A recycled wreath that can be used season after season. (image Boris Bally / eco artwear)

12. pet alert animal rescue - Window decals to let emergency help know that animals live in your home. (image animal rescue site)

Gift guide: Travel

Since we are currently half way into our trip around the world - somewhere in Asia (most likely Tokyo), travel related items have been very necessary for us for the past few months.

These are a few products that I found while searching, planning, and packing.

1. Light my Fire spork - I love these and have one in virtually every bag that I own. Visiting the grocery in a foreign country is always interesting, especially when you recognize the brands and not the products. This is every utensil in one, so you can buy things along the way and always have the immediate chance to sample them. (image light my fire)

2. Monster pod - a tripod that can even cling to the sides of buildings. I have to admit it makes me a little nervous, but reviewers claim they don't have problems with it. (image monster pod)

3. I heart my city - A playful take on the 'I love NY' shirts. I appreciate that you can love whatever city you are in - and it makes a fun conversation piece. (image forever 21)

4. Travel Scale - If you've ever overpacked and had to unpack at the airport or pay a ton of money this is a very good tool to have. Plus, it's small enough to pack along. (image Kikkerland)

5. States United print - A great homage to my homeland. (image Beauchamping etsy)

6. panorama perfect - This takes the guess work out of making sure your panorama images line up properly. (image photo jojo)

7. World clock - Spend time day dreaming about what you could be doing in a far away land, or make keeping in touch with family and friends a bit easier. They will thank you when you aren't calling them in the middle of the night. (image zero per zero - online shop is link on the bottom left)

8. Lens pen - This is very portable for photographers who want to keep their lenses dust free for spotless images. (image spoon sisters)

9. Trinvo talking translator - I wish that we had bought this before we left, because my Mandarin hasn't really improved too much. We definitely need this on our next trip through Asia. (image trinvo)

10. Mili universal charger - charges 2 devices at once and is compact, sleek, and very practical for international trips. (image Beam Box Mili)

11. Pitotubes - These were created by a flight attendant to make packing liquids and complying with safety rules easier for travelers. They are very sturdy and refillable. (image wishingfish)

12. Spy lens - Since people are often more at ease than when a camera is pointed directly in their face it's easy to catch candid photos along the way. (image photo jojo)

Gift guide: Toddler + Pet

1. Threadless YGB shirt - This shirt is perfect for budding horticulturists. I love the colors, the happiness, and the simplicity. If you like it enough, you can get an adult sized one for yourself. (image Threadless)

2. Haba blocks - I adore virtually all of Haba's wooden toys. They are so smooth and imaginative. Their various sets of blocks also have so much character and demonstrate that not every block needs to be a cube or rectangle - many are designed around some of the world's greatest architecture. (image haba)

3. vtech kidizoom digital camera - Art work by children is always interesting, and since they always have an interest in gadgets and electronics this can also help to make them productive. The bonus is that you can score some free art for your walls - with a slightly skewed vantage point. (image vtech)

4. Haba block + tackle - This pulley system toy will help children that love construction and lifting. And once again it's by Haba - need I say more? (image haba)

5. Tire Swing Horse - Many of my favorite memories as a child were playing outside and exploring our big back yard. While I never had a tire swing, I am sure that I would have enjoyed it... especially if it had as much character as this one. (image Target)

6. Wooden fishing play set - This fishing play set is not only beautifully made, but it also contains tiny magnets inside the wood so the fish can be caught. (image MoMA)

7. Kid-O matching shades puzzle - Wooden puzzles are so timeless and beautiful. This one is great for the subtle tints and tones. Kid O has an entire range of beautiful, simple, and practical puzzles. (image Kid O)

8. Pat Says Now computer mouse - These are the most adorable mice that I've ever seen. (some animals may be discontinued) (image pat says now)

For Children with 4 paws
9. Pet Top drinking device - Allows you to adapt any water bottle into an animal friendly water fountain. (image Pet Top)

10. Curve Wall Mounted Pet Bed from Akemi Tanaka - a beautiful and out of the way solution to a cat bed. (image Akemi Tanaka)

11. Critter cord - Protects your cords with plastic, a light citrus scent, and a bitter taste, so that 4 legged friends aren't tempted to gnaw through the cords. I had a bunny growing up and he certainly loved cord chewing, but he didn't like oranges. Sounds like it would work. (image critter cord)

12. Otomik - inventive dog toys that will give anyone a good laugh. (image otomik)

Gift guide: Babies + New Parents

It seems as though even more of my friends are having babies. I guess that's what getting older will do. There are a lot of really adorable gifts on the market that make shopping a bit more of a challenge. These are some that I love.



1. Baby Dam - This an economical and ecological solution to bath time. The only downside is that it fits only in straight sided bathtubs. (image Baby Dam)

2. Mr. Sneeze Forehead Thermometer - My sister and I had this thermometer when we were younger and absolutely loved it. It's less invasive and easy to take along in a bag. (image spoon sisters)

3. Etsy SuperSweetCreations - The t-shirts and onesies with ties are hysterical and a bit sophisticated - not to mention handmade. I love supporting local artisans. (image etsy)

4. The Weanmachine - This is a portable food grinder that helps to feed little ones table food. It quickly enables parents to make a nutritious meal on the go. (image weanmachine)

5. present time monkey door hangers - I first saw these in Paris and fell in love with them. Since then I gift them to anyone I know having a baby or with young children. They come in a variety of colors and are simple, yet modern.

6. Puppy Dog shoes - washable leather shoes that help protect little feet that are learning to walk. (image patina stores)

7. Billy Bob Pacifier - a large array of unique and specialty pacifiers that are sure to get a lot of laughs. (image billy bob products)

8. Knock knock medical organizer - a great place to store all of those new documents from checkups and doctor visits. (image knock knock)

9. Construction Tools - A lot of parents complain about getting their children to eat, so this may be a fun solution. (image flying peas)

10. Hushamok baby hammock - Who doesn't love a hammock? These are made for babies as a stylish option to a bassinet or swing. (image hushamok)

11. etsy Hipoart - This gorgeous rocking horse is made by hand in Kentucky. Undoubtedly it would make a treasured heirloom. (image etsy / HIPo Necessities)

12. etsy allthenumbers - A modern / retro handmade quilt with beautiful colors. (image etsy / all the numbers)

Gift guide: Art

1. Photo Canvas - Have a meaningful photo put onto canvas and decorate a special room. (This is a photo from our honeymoon in the Maldives - how nice to wake up to that every day!) (my own image - simply search online or visit a photo shop in your area)

2. Jelly Lens - This helps to transform a camera phone into something better. I actually cringe when I see people use camera phones at meaningful events, but at least these help improve the quality. (image Spoon sisters / Jelly Lens)

3. Superheadz Blackbird camera - When I took photography courses in college I absolutely loved using medium format cameras. This one is beautiful and playful. (image Urban Outfitters)

4. Retro NaNa Tape from etsy - It's great to see creative types using tape more frequently... and the variety is incredible. (image etsy / RetroNaNa)

5. Yashica Portable Scanner - This is a quick and easy way to turn those old 35mm negatives into scanned copies, which make archiving a breeze. (image Yashica - currently only available in Japan)

6. photojojo shortcut mac keyboard skin - A great tool for learners and designers alike. All of the shortcuts are at your fingertips - and not to mention the bright colors make it even more fun. (image photojojo)

7. seat belt camera strap - fun colors and very sturdy. A great gift for the photographer who has everything. (image photo jojo)

8. Stencil 101 - This book is perfect for budding graffiti artists and Banksy fans. (image Ed Roth / Chronicle books)

9. Famille Summerbelle map - These scherenschnitte paper cuts are so striking. These would be an especially nice gift for someone who is fond of London or Paris. (image famille summer belle)

10. etched letters - These acid etched letters would make a great gift for a typography lover. It looks like many people agree, because there aren't too many available. (image Urban Outfitters)

11. hudson chalkboard paint - For those that want something more exciting than the standard black or green. I love the endless variety and would love to add a color splash to my kitchen. (image hudson)

12. zero per zero railway notes - Everyone loves mail - and these notes are absolutely certain to make someone smile. (image zero per zero)

Gift guide: Cooking

Last year I composed a gift guide with ideas for the holidays. Since I am gone for the holidays this year I decided to prepare this in advance (September 09), so apologizes if items are no longer available.

I had to get an early start on holiday shopping, so I figured I might as well share my finds.

Just as last year there are a variety of items at various price points, so there's something for everyone in every budget.



1. Ziploc style candy bowl - This is a cute gift for a candy lover and since it's made of glass it's reusable. (image perpetual kid)

2. Sommelier glasses - These add a bit of tongue in cheek sophistication to enjoying a glass of wine. (image Area wear)

3. Filigree cuckoo clock - A modern take on the famed German style clock. It's also made here in Germany. (image North Coast Imports / Ingolf Haas)

4. M cups - Cute nesting measuring cups that take on the matryoshka form. (image world wide fred)

5. Wine bottle thermometer cuff - an inexpensive and simply solution to figuring out the proper temperature each type of wine should be served at. (image catching fire flies)

6. iittala cookware - These beautifully designed pans are not only stylish, but also function wonderfully. (image iittala)

7. cheese knives - Colorful cheese knives that take the guess work out of figuring out which type should be used for a variety of cheeses. (image patina stores)

8. glass beverage bottles - Add simplicity and sleekness to all the drinks in your refrigerator - or keep one next to your bed. (image Crate and Barrel)

9. vinyl Lace place mats - a delicate and dainty way of sprucing up any table top and they are kid friendly and easy to clean up. (image dream in plastic)

10. IKEA fusion table - This table is great for small spaces and apartment living. (image IKEA)

11. Goldfish trash bags - Anything to make taking out the trash more fun... and you never thought trash could make you smile. (image perpetual kid)

12. Gaggenau Oven - A ceramic based oven that lowers to counter top level while keeping heat in the oven.

Again, I continue to do a lot of my shopping in the US, simply because I can mail things directly to people there and not deal with wondering if Deutsche Post is going to lose something again. (I apologize in advance to international readers, however some of these companies may ship internationally.)

There will be several more self published gift guides in the coming days or weeks.

Happy gift giving!

Less than a week!

We went around town today collecting our last minute things. Here are a few of my observations:

I love MUJI (inside Fünf Höfe). It's a Japanese shop that prides itself on being no brand. All of the merchandise is simple and they have a wonderful array of everything you never realized you needed to stay organized. Their travel sized products and stationery items are among my favorites. They make packing so simple with their empty TSA sized 100mL bottles.

Everyone and everything is gearing up for Oktoberfest. I love seeing products suddenly having Bavarian spirit and lederhosen all over them. Even the Pixar movie 'Oben! (Up!)' is in on the fun with their ad featuring the herzen, roller coaster, and the sky swing. (It says: 'With so much fun you'll lift off') We're slightly behind on the times here - it opens tomorrow.

I noticed Ihr Platz located inside the Ostbahnhof (near the U5 Orleanplatz entrance). Under normal circumstances I really wouldn't write about a drug store, and I realize this sounds ridiculous, but it is open until 10PM - even on Sundays. Talk about revolutionizing shopping in Munich! Really, it's the little things here.

They even have a small grocery section where you can get milk and simple things past 8PM! I'm thrilled - even though I'll only be here for one more weekend this year.

clothing + packing

I have a pretty predictable style, at least according to my friend Cait, Stefan, and my sister. Stefan has even gone as far as coining the term 'Emil-ish' if it looks like something I would wear or not.

My friend Lauren tells me I'm not trendy and before I know it I will end up wondering why I never ventured into fashion risk territory while I could be young and adventurous. I prefer to think I will appear slightly more timeless and less dated in photos down the line. That's my theory anyway. I love theme parties and odd costumes... just not on myself. I'd rather have my life be a musical - with normal clothes. Who wouldn't love if people broke out into song in the middle of the streets?

Predictable or not I love simplicity, femininity, and dresses. One side of my closet is entirely devoted to dresses. I have something for every occasion - even down to two dirndls. I'm an over planner. Who knows if I have a friend visit that needs to borrow one, or heavens forbid I'm at Oktoberfest multiple days in a row or someone spills a beer on me.

I think I'm much like any other girl. I can always justify why I would need another dress... never mind the fact I have four that are different styles and just slightly different shades of slate gray. It's one of my favorite colors. It's neutral without being as bold as black. Sometimes I really cringe when I walk down the street and see a woman that looks as if she's dressed to go to a club - at noon.

Packing for this trip is already getting the best of me. Thankfully I am not alone. Stefan keeps reminding himself, or perhaps trying to remind me, that we aren't going to be incredibly far off the beaten track and if we need something chances are good we can find it. Even so, I like to be prepared.

Cait, who is also planning an around-the-world trip of her own (for an entire year!), told me she read it's smart to have long skirts. They are good coverage if say you are on a bus and it stops at a field for a restroom break. I can't think of too many instances where we will be on buses, but better safe than sorry.

I was delighted to find a long lightweight jersey skirt at the store every ex-pat American woman misses - Target. Not only that... it is so versatile that it can be worn as a tube dress or a long skirt. Once again I bought two, of course in different colors. When I find something that works I often purchase it in two colors. I'm sure that can be attributed to my Americanness.

Other travel clothes that I love are Columbia's World Traveler Pants. They look like normal pants, except they are moisture wicking, quick drying, and water repellant. It's amazingly difficult to find clothing that is made for outdoors without looking like you are going on a fishing expedition with massive cargo pockets. I just know I will appreciate feeling feminine and yet remaining modest during our months on the road.

While I was in the US, in June, I also was excited to find a feminine rain jacket. It has frilly shoulders and looks more like a chambray jacket as opposed to something made for rain. Every time I put it on Stefan instantly complements me on how adorable I am. That I will certainly not tire of.

We are wholeheartedly tourists - and I am OK with that. I don't expect to appear local, however I do like to respect and obey local customs. It's so much nicer to blend than to stick out. Even a slight bit of flesh in an Islamic part of the world seriously stands out in attracting unwanted attention. I don't even own one pair of shorts, so it's strictly dresses, skirts, and pants for me.

Alaska won't be included in this trip due to the weather change and not being able to pack for frigidly cold seasons, but we do have many other stops and several exciting events along the way.

I will need a nicer dress for a special surprise event with ~ 70˚F / 21˚C weather, however I can't decide which one to wear... any opinions?

These are my choices... or at least a few of them. I was able to get the subway dress in my size. I am super happy about that.

(images - skirts: Target, pants + jackets: Columbia, dresses: dvF, jcrew, francis, jcrew)

handwritten letters

I saw this window at the Schreibwaren-Fachgeschäft Schreibmayr window, in Fünf Höfe, here in Munich. I love the nostalgic feeling with the beautiful handwriting and postmarks. This would be a perfect way to decorate for an anniversary party.

I'm definitely storing the idea away, especially because Stefan and I have boxes and boxes of letters from each other from our 2 years of long distance.

It reminds me of this image, from the now defunct Blueprint Magazine by Martha Stewart. It's a great way to display a special letter.

I've combed through some of the letters at the flea markets - such as the Auer / Jakobi Dults, but I think it's probably better if there's more personal meaning to it.

Maybe I'll get my hands on one from a grandparent or Stefan's Oma who was once quite the world traveler herself.

subway dress

My love of subways is no secret. I squealed with delight when I saw this Subway dress by Christian Francis Roth. It's based off the iconic 1970's Massimo Vignelli map and I think it's just absolutely adorable... a bit short, but adorable.

The unfortunate matter is that I'm going to be traveling. I can't exactly order it and have no idea if it fits. It's so tragic because I have the perfect place to wear it.

EDIT: I got the dress! Now I just hope it's the right size (as in I don't lose much weight traveling for 4 months) and that the weather cooperates. You'll see some pictures here around December / January at our special event. Thanks WendyB for the tip!

the.

I've been seeing 'the.' on design sites for a while now... because of their anti-theft lunch bags, however I absolutely love their new framed objects.

Since I don't know that cleaning the vase would be so simple, I think I'd go for the book shelf. It would be so nice in a kitchen for a cookbook or in a little reading area. It's definitely a subliminal conversation starter.

I also love their walls notebook, which can inspire your inner graffiti artist. (Note the typical German Stabilo pens that we all love).

They certainly have a lot of fun design items. If only my birthday was around the corner.

(images courtesy of the.)

Gift guide: Art

I love art and being creative. These are a few things I've seen, that enable those who believe they aren't artistically inclined, to see the art in daily life and find some inspiration.


1. Speedball printing kits (screen printing + block printing) - A nice way to decorate or create printed textiles. (images urban outfitters)

2. Lomo- Unique cameras that automatically create interesting effects. (image lomo)

3. Ork Designs- Typography lovers, designers, or people with cities close to their hearts will appreciate these posters. (image ork designs)

4. Pup Casso Paint Kit for Dogs- Everyone can create art, so why not your dog too? (image art casso)

5. Kid's Art Project - Have artworks from one child or many combined to create a poster. This is a great idea of art teachers, but also for families who want to preserve children's art work. (image kid's art project)

6. Spoon Flower - custom made fabrics, based on whatever you can imagine. This is perfect for creating clothes, bags, and pillows of your dreams. (image spoonflower)

7. 20x200- upcoming artists sell their photos and prints starting at $20. There are 3 editions / sizes typically ranging from $20, $200, and $2,000. Popular prints sell out super quick. (image 20x200 Balloons by artist Juliane Eirich)

8. Olympus Stylus 790SW- This claims to be the most durable point and shoot digital camera. My mom has this model, which does not need a housing unit to go underwater (in both salt & fresh water). While I love my olympus stylus verve, I am really in love with this one. If only olympus wasn't so dependable... I'll be waiting for a long time for an excuse to buy this. (image olympus)

9. etsy - If you don't have a creative bone in your body (which is doubtful... everyone needs an artistic outlet!) you can admire and purchase other artists' creations. Search for your favorite city, color, or to find something made in a certain area of the world. Be cautious... this can become an addiction.

10. Memory Games Berlin - modernized matching games. One is using colors, while the other using all things that are round in shape. (image MoMA)

11. Table Topics - conversation starting questions for dinner parties or just to get people talking. This is also great as a hostess gift.

12. Paint tube door stop by by Tetsuya Shibuya - simple, functional, and colorful.

Gift guide: Travel

We do a lot of traveling, so I am always on the watch for innovative new products that seem practical and user friendly while you're on the go.



1. Liquid Image camera mask- This is great for those who love to snorkel. It allows you to swim and take photos and video of exactly what you are looking at. (image Liquid image)

2. Built NY wine tote - We have one of these and it's wonderful. The secret is to bring it in your carry on and then purchase wine at the airport AFTER you have gone through all of the security checks, so you can carry it on. The only hang up is this won't work if you fly intercontinental with a layover and need to recheck bags. (image built ny)

3. Flexible Tripod - This is another gadget we travel with. I appreciate it because it securely wraps on virtually anything for self portraits. The camera base screws onto the top and is also removable, so you don't constantly have the tripod attached. It comes in two sizes for small cameras and also for SLR's. (image joby)

4. Trunki - Although I don't have children, this looks functional when children on the go get tired and it's not worth hauling a stroller along or they are too big for one. (image trunki)

5. Personalized Hometown Necklace - A great way to remember a special place (provided, of course, that it's in the US). (image signals)

6. Chronicle books city walks - These are so portable and helpful in navigating a new city. Each small map contains a path with information regarding sites and historical information. (image chronicle books)

7. MoMA World Time Clock - This was designed by Charlotte van der Waals and together there are 24 cities representing the 24 world time zones. It's simple but very practical for those who are globetrotters. (image MoMA)

8. Visual dictionaries - depending on where you are traveling you may want Point it (a wordless image heavy book) or if the language is more readily available I love these bilingual visual dictionaries. They are nicely laid out in categories and it's small enough to carry through day to day life. I always recommend these to new ex-pats. (images DK + amazon)

9. Door stop alarm - Great at insuring safety and privacy. It functions not only as a door stop, but also as an alarm (which can be deactivated). The only potential issue is that once it is in place medical or emergency works are also unable to enter. (image amazon)

10. Lonely Planet Books- These are such a beautiful coffee table books that double as planning tools. One of my favorite features is that they tell you what the area is known for and current issues facing each place. I consult mine before I we travel to a new city. 'The Europe Book' is the newest edition.

11. Moleskine city notebooks - I tend to take a notebook when I travel to write observations, experiences, names of restaurants, directions, and general thoughts. These notebooks take it one step further and include tabbed sections, subway maps, city maps, and places to put ticket stubs and other ephemera. In essence, you write the guide yourself. (image moleskine European Paper Company)

12. Lewis N. Clark Passport case - I really love this because its bright color makes my passport easy to find and provides a bit of anonymity. (image Lewis N. Clark)

Other Travel sites for gift ideas:
Flight 001
Travel Smith
Magellans
Baggage for Less
Stop Over Store
Le Travel Store