Like a thunderstruck

Happy Sunday!

In average I slept 5 hours this week. Far too little for my needs but I couldn't afford to get more: once again I had cheerleading each night, attendance at classes and all was topped by a test on Friday morning. It turned out to be ridiculous but this is a different story. 

It was yesterday that it hit me like thunderstruck. I just couldn't bare it anymore and caught up my laziness while sleeping in late, watching lots of Desperate Housewives and going to bed earlier. And since the CET was changed last night, I even got one extra hour. That's how I like my start of holidays. 

Holidays? Indeed, I have a week full of them ahead. Well, I also still have to catch up some stuff for uni but holidays are holidays and nobody can steal them from me. My plans? Shopping, cooking, visiting, walking and leaving to Paris on Friday morning! I am so excited!

What better to start the holidays than having a large breakfast with your best roomie? Right now, I am sitting in front of my laptop hoping that she gets ready soon because I am literally starving. Instead of already posting the hot chocolates, bread and strawberry jam, I want to show you today's outfit. A yellow statement sweater is always a guarantee for a happy day.

All the best and have a great Halloween party!

P.S. Yes, I know iPhone pics are great but this week I will go back to my beloved Canon. Promised! Xx

Sweater (Benetton) - Blouse (Zara) - Pants (H&M) - Slippers (Vietnamese Market) - Bag (Longchamp)

Wall paper in my favourite restaurant - inspiration for a new room concept?

I'm singing in the rain... in that case I would sing all day and night! Bearable with blanket, hot chocolate and candles.

"And some people kiss their friends, it's like a high-five on the lips!"

Good morning early birds!

Hope, you had a great week!

How could I MISS IT?
10 years ago Desperate Housewives was launched and I didn't care at all. Even when my best friends cancelled dates on Wednesday night, I didn't get it. No, it was until last night that I have never watched one episode. But then - hit! - I already feel addicted after the first three ones. While my week was pretty stressful, my roomie and me decided to cuddle up in blanket, have some food and watch it. I need a lot more of these nights...

Crazy Red for main course - and Apple Pear Crumble + Rum Sunrise for dessert

Candy Shop vs. Pope of Dope!

It's been three times now that I have been telling you about a particular event (here, here and here) and this week it was time again: Running Dinner. For all amongst you who are not familiar with the term: You and your partner cook one course (either starters, main course or dessert) and are invited to have the other ones at different apartments. Therefore you meet a lot of people during the night and literally run from one place to the other.
We were to be chosen to do the dessert. We decided to make an Apple Pear Crumble (add some rubbed lemon into the crumbles), served with Vanilla Oreo Ice Cream and a Rum Sunrise with it. Beforehand we ate some Spanish Tapas and Chicken A La Provençale which was a delicious meal. Eventually, we all ended up at our favorite hangout until late that night.
Only the next day, another party was on schedule. It's motto was "Candy Shop vs. Pope of Dope" and I declared it to be my last one until the Euromasters in two weeks. As I have cheerleading nearly every night from now on, it wouldn't even be possible. Oh and not to forget mid-term exam on Friday.

Now back to work with some Finance stuff - and maybe the 4th episode tonight?!
Enjoy your day and have a great new week.
Xoxo

In love

Best Friday afternoon motivation: Galette artisanale au chocolat

Good morning everyone!

It's been now a couple of years, that iPhones have invaded our world. For years I have been calling myself an opponent, not willing to spend that much money on a (simple) technical device. But these times are over now. From now on I am an official iPhone user.

Within the last weeks I was rarely available via mobile. I gave my old Samsung to my brother in New Zealand and used a simple BlackBerry Curve instead to bridge my lack of smartphone. Then the time of waiting begun until Apple finally announced the new iPhone 5S/C the 10th of September. I waited more days in order to see iPhone 5 prices falling and then snatched it up!

What is my first impression? I. Love. It. Seriously. Never mind what tech freaks say about old-fashioned settings, I am totally happy with my purchase: The design is top and the user experience is just what I have imagined. Look out for some snapshots taken with my new friend!

In love.

Crazy colours

Rainy time is candle time.

Saturday's market

No better than fresh French cheese

This week was less stressful than the one before, so I yesterday spent half the day exploring the farmer's market and shopping in the city. Furthermore last night two good friends celebrated their birthday which was a lot of fun.
Nevertheless I keep on writing applications for my internship beginning in January. While I was always quite focused on Marketing, I this time fancy a position in Finance. Therefore all the big finance departments of Chanel, Hermes, Dior, L'Oreal and Coca-Cola are bombarded with my CV and motivation letter. Fingers crossed!
Enjoy your Sunday and the next week!

Weekend as a luxury I cannot afford

Happy Sunday!

Honestly, I can't tell you a lot today. You might be interested in the German apple purée market, local currencies in Bristol or in a high-quality low cost airline - these are the topics I dealt with this week. Exciting, aren't they?
It's been the toughest week so far and tougher ones will even follow. I had three times cheerleading, had a couple of group meetings (for the above mentioned topics) and on top of it I had classes from morning 'till late in the evening. My social life was almost down... until Friday night when I had enough from all the pressure and work so that I went out with a couple of friends. Same yesterday night. But never too late since I had in mind all the work piles on my desk that I will attack within the next few minutes.

Weekends are a luxury that students can no longer afford. 

Unfortunately, it is true. Even on weekends I force myself to get up early to get everything done. And then, from time to time, I remember those days when I was in my internship and could use the weekends for whatever I wanted to. Luckily I am going back to internship in January (don't know where yet) and this lack of freedom and fun has an end.
I am happy and positive person, so I don't want to complain too much. As all my friends are suffering the same situation we understand and support each other. And I truly appreciate it!

To not end this post without any picture, I have another simple cake recipe for you: Lemonade-Cake. Perfect if you have to get rid of eggs or any soft drink rests in your fridge.

Bon appétit!

For the pastry

• 2 cups of sugar
• 3 cups of flour
• 1 cup of oil
• 1 cup of lemonade (Fanta, Sprite etc. - I don't suggest Coke though!)
• 1 pck. of vanilla sugar
• 1 pck. of baking powder
• 4 eggs
• Pinch of salt

For the icing

• 250 g icing sugar
• Lemonade
• Decoration like colourful chocolate chips, sugar carrots etc. 

How to

• Mix all the ingredients and fill the pastry into a buttered pan. Put it into the preheated oven for about 30-45 minutes at 180°C. 
• While having the cake baked, prepare the icing: Mix icing sugar and lemonade in order to fabricate a gooey mass. Be careful that you don't add too much lemonade! 
• After having cooled the cake, spread the icing evenly on the cake and decorate it (in my case with colourful chocolate chips). 

Routine? Not bad at all!

Good morning!

After the first month in my new university, routine found its way into my daily life. I get up, go to uni, do lots of classes and group works and come back home, quite exhausted. Then, on weekends I catch up sleep and continue bureaucracy. And suddenly, I remember: Hey! I am young! I must go out! Meet friends! Do shopping! Going to Paris!

On measure against my dull routine is my cheerleading training from now on. Yes, you read the right way. I am in my uni's cheerleading squad and have training three times a week until we participate at the WHU Euromasters in 6 weeks. My goal: a split (I stretch each night for twenty minutes following this video) My inspiration: "Bring it on!" with Kirsten Dunst that I have been adoring for years now.

Bring it on!

Puff Pastry Orange Blossoms

Another measure: Inviting friends. That I did on Friday night with Spanish, German, Chinese and French friends. Since I had classes all day long I could only prepare a simple dessert: Puff Pastry Orange Blossoms (similar easy recipe here) that we had together with other sweet treats. Then yesterday I went to a birthday party with loads of international students - most of them really drunk.
And while I am writing this, I think: Well, my life might not be the most exciting one, but it is also far away from being boring. On the contrary I am happy to have some kind of routine because I therefore appreciate special moments even more!

Before finishing today's post, I want to show you a friend that made his way to my wardrobe: my new acquired leggings that I found at H&M for 19.99 Euro. Combined with a simple jeans shirt or with a glittery blouse in the night... I have loads of outfits in my mind. How do you like it?

Thank you so much for reading!

Leggings (H&M - similar here)

Explore and discover

Oh my dears,

What a weekend. It started with a non-functioning toilet on Friday night that freaked me out and made me to a specialist when it comes to terms of being a plumber. When this problem was resolved I finally could join the guys to climb the trees (high ropes adventure course). And yesterday night some friends and me met to have a nice night with savoury pancakes. Due to all the precedent activities, today's one is called uni.

Gargoyles

Cathedral's woodwork

View above the city

Magnificent architecture

Empty rows in the opera

It's been now three weeks that I've lived in my apartment in this new city so I dedicated the last week to explore the city and to further decorate my room. For the city-part I used last Sunday's "Journée du patrimoine" when French patrimonies are open to the public. So I climbed the towers of the central cathedral, balanced on its woodwork and visited the local opera. Furthermore I went to Hautvillers, a very cute champagne village in the region. I especially loved the handcraft signs that were spread all over the tiny curvy streets.

Vineyards

Lovely facade

Signs as the monks' hospice

You got the first glimpse of my room here, so here is what I installed this time: a garland with black and white pictures that reflects memories of the last couple of years, fixed with miniature pegs. Self-portraits, favourite snapshots and best friends are now adorning my wall.

Garland with snapshots

Hopefully, see you next week. All the best so far!

Back to childhood

Disney Castle (despite dark clouds, it didn't rain once!)

Do you remember when you were little and dreamed off being friends with your favorite Disney characters? I lively remember those times and actually turned back to them when I headed to Disneyland Paris on Tuesday. Although all of us have exceeded the age of 20, we spent the day like 4 year old girls - smiling, laughing, amazed and curious!

We met Snow White and her seven dwarfs, explored the world of Pirates of the Caribbean, went on crazy roller coasters with lots of inversions, helped Indiana Jones with his expedition and eventually felt like princesses entering the Disney castle. Since we went there throughout the week queues were rather seldom and so we didn't waste any time at all: We stayed in the park for more than 10 hours and finished by watching a wonderful fireworks and light show (video here).

• A little advise from my side: If you are student, it is worth to ask for a student discount. We did so and payed only 48 Euro for the day but for both parks (Disneyland and Disney Studios). 
• Favorite roller coaster: Rock'n'Roll Roller Coaster by Aerosmith & The Twilight Zone Tower (Drop Tower Thrill)
• Favorite park: Studios because the attractions were much better and exciting; Disneyland is more for little kids. I was also disappointed by only having seen ONE single character (Minnie). I thought there would be thousands. 

Sunset

Mickey and his founder Walt

This trip was a nice change, but still, I am here to study.
4 classes were on my schedule this week, which is not even a third of the total. In nearly every class we have either to deliver a final essay or a group presentation by Christmas which means working-intensive months ahead! But hey, I don't want to complain at all, we are all in the same situation. 

Finally I wanted to show you a glimpse of my new bedroom. In the beginning I had a lot of issues because I couldn't make friends with my wall color. I soon realized that I was wrong. Thanks to carefully chosen decorative items, neutral colors and Emily's tips, I could turn down the girly factor of the walls and fell now entirely comfortable here. In the next weeks, I will complement the oeuvre with some wall decoration. How do you like it so far? 

Desk

Bag organization & mini TV

Decoration & friends!

Bed & Couch

Enjoy your Sunday and the upcoming week, see you then!

Grasse Matinée

Morning baguette

Good morning - or shall I better say good day?!

Whatever you feel like what time it is right now, I've just got up and had a more than satisfying breakfast/lunch. My first week of uni in France is over and today's agenda is filled with relaxing activities (in French = grasse matinée). But let's start from the beginning: 

On Monday I met a part my new fellow students for the first time and I was immediately happy to see that they are people just as me. Throughout the week we suffered language classes, grammar lessons, presentations and a champagne tasting together, not to forget to mention the few parties in private apartments. 

Still, our apartment won't be used for this purpose. Instead, my flatmate and I went to Ikea yesterday to beautify our kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms. Luckily we had same ideas on how we want to have the decoration to be done. Besides, my flatmate is the best. 

Best flatmate! Surprise = Chocolate cookies

Later I am going to meet one of my friends for a cafe before I have some other friends coming over for dinner. I put some French crêpes (pancakes) on the menu and hope that we all together enjoy the night.

Last but not least, I totally forgot to announce last week's winner of the beautybox... Tadaaaaa: For security reasons, I don't want to name her but she is a French girl who has already received a mail from my side. Congratulations!

Enjoy your week, next week I'll show you a glimpse of my newly decorated bedroom!

Light festival at the cathedral

New friend on my desk from Ikea

Night out with cocktails

Field garlic tart