KINDER Surprise

I saw that woman of my age sitting on the doorstep. She was wearing a pink white-dotted dress with a touch of retro. While she hold a half of a KINDER surprise egg in one hand, she opened the little yellow box with the other. Eventually, she discovered the miniature princess. Her delicate smile reminded me of something that I am missing from time to time: Being child again.

It is only now that I begin to appreciate this important episode of life. I understand why my parents and grandparents always told me to "enjoy the childhood as long as possible". No duties, no tax declarations, no life managing (except for tidying up your room). I love the advantages of adulthood such as independence and experience, but quite frankly, childhood is fantastic. This is maybe why I still love sports so much. Or sweet and colourful candy. Or amusement parks.

Speaking of the latter, I went to Parc Asterix yesterday. Eating cotton candy, going on the wildest rides and spending quality time with my friends (as we did last year in Disneyland) evoked and stimulated this need. When I see a roller coaster, my heart begins to beat faster due to the adrenaline, my step becomes hastily, my eyes get such a dreamy gaze and take me to a different world.

Enjoy your week and be a bit childish again. It feels great.

Autumn Inspiration

Happy Sunday!

While we didn't have a wonderful summer this year, it seems that September wants to catch up and pampers us with warm temperatures. That I call an Indian summer! Nevertheless, you know my love for autumn and winter which is why I cannot wait for cooler temperatures to come. They will allow me to layer pieces, to put on my hats, my boots, and to give my style a preppy/country/English touch. I am not talking a lot about fashion on this blog, but today is one of these days that I spend in various online shops to look for inspiration (due to a super tiring week again).

Another source of inspiration is certainly Pinterest. I keep compiling and compiling pictures that influence my style these days. Here are some of my favourite ideas (all via Pinterest) for the upcoming months that I certainly will include in my daily wardrobe-war: loafers, oversized sweaters, blazers, boots, college jackets...

Perhaps these outfits also inspire you. I have to get some work done in order to be prepared for another work-intense week.

In The Heart of Champagne

Happy Sunday!

Today I could write a review about NYC fashion week although I wasn't there. I could also complain about the stress that made me livid during the week. Or, if you wish, conclude the week with a Sunday post stating ups and downs and sharing my best findings in the web. I somehow guess that you are not interested in any of these topics. Nor am I right now.

In summer I encouraged you to discover your surroundings which was again the mantra I followed yesterday. Since I literally turned off all my technical devices, I cannot share a lot with you except for some pictures (more here) or the facts that I had a great dinner at the Restaurant de l'Abbaye, a very long museum visit at the Palais du Tau, the worst driver in the world, yet one of the nicest ex-colleagues ever and eventually a scenic day in the Champagne hills.

Enjoy your day and have a perfect start into the week! Bisous!

Back to School

Hello my dears,

I am now a senior, a fourth year college student. Seeing the freshmen, I literally feel old although I am only 22. At the same time, I feel wise and responsible to care for these young wild kids and have wondered a couple of times whether I was the same at the age of 18. Probably, I was.

Last year I explained to you my new role in students council and with the first day of the year, the work instantly hit us. Hence, my week consisted of two meetings each day, talking about financing, negotiating with other associations or connecting with students in bars. The first weekend was therefore much needed and it's been the first time in nine months now that I didn't take any pictures. Kind of insane, isn't it?

After my great experience in Paris and a lovely summer I was a little afraid to come back to Reims. Yet, I can tell you that everything's perfect here: the conversations with my close friends are priceless, I fully internalize my new role, I enjoy recognizing all the little streets in the city as well as the traders on farmer's market and even if some classes are boring, I am really motivated to give my best in college. Let's see what this year will bring.

Hope you have a great weekend and enjoy the week at its best!

180 KM

Hi everybody!

Sometimes you sit in your bed at night and suddenly, there is this idea in your mind that sticks forever. This is what happened to me by the beginning of this year: While I have been close to Lake Geneva for 6 years now, I have never ever tried to circle it. Neither by car, nor by bike. In fact, most of the cities on the other side of the lake were even totally unknown to me, thus I decided to include it into my summer resolutions. Originally I planned to do it by bike but due to bad weather and - okay let's be honest - a lack of motivation, I finally took the comfortable car and my Mom with me to see all the beauty of Lake Geneva. It's all about mountains, beaches, packed streets around Geneva and Lausanne, people who refill water bottles at natural sources, stunning landscapes, two countries (Switzerland and France) and a feeling of freedom that is so typical on such road trips.

Beach

The Evian Casino

Speaking of a road trip...

Venetian canals near Montreux

Chateau de Chillon

Terrasses de Lavaux

Little girl drinking fresh EVIAN Water

Once again I can only recommend to visit what's right in front of you - it would be a shame to miss it. I also recommend to check out the Brasserie du Savoy in Evian. Their food is amazing and even the appetizers come in huge portions!

Wrap Up

Hello and a happy Sunday!

In less than an hour, I jump on my train back to Reims where I will study for my last year of my bachelors degree. The end of summer holidays signifies an end for summer in my eyes. Actually, I am ready for autumn - for layering, for classical music, for tea and cookies. To finish this great month appropriately, I thought to come back to my little summer resolutions. I am more than happy to announce that there is only one single point that I didn't accomplish.

1. Going on a tour around Lake Geneva. Whether it might be by bike or by car, it has been 5 years that I have missed this option.
   - CHECK, I toured 180 km by car with my Mom. 
2. Remembering my great trip to South-East Asia thanks to this delicious Thai curry recipe.
   - CHECK, even my brother liked it :-)
3. Choosing my favourite images of my immense photo stock in order to make a collage for my room in university.
   - CHECK, I will share the new decoration idea once I've installed the collage. 
4. Compiling a short list of universities/ business schools that I apply for my master's degree.
   - CHECK. It's getting serious and I will share the place I move to once I am accepted. 
5. Exploring Spain in a total new way. Instead of hotel resorts on the Canary Islands or other major touristic places, it is time to discover Spain's real treasures.
   - CHECK, here's my post about Madrid and Oliva. 
6. Visiting the Aiguille de Midi in the French Alps. With two friends stopping by in August this touristic adventure shouldn't be a leftover anymore, should it?
   - FAIL. I unfortunately didn't make it yet I went hiking a couple of times and enjoyed the view on the Mont Blanc. 
7. Preparing this summer cocktail for a little cocktail party on our terrace.
   - CHECK, although I didn't go for the exact same cocktail but due to a huge stock of Absolut Vodka, I checked out their recipes. 
8. After having tasted home made bread every single day in Iceland, I came to the conclusion to bake some different kinds myself from now on. Do you know some nice recipes?
   - CHECK. 
9. Subscribing for a class at Coursera in order to broaden my horizon. I plan to choose a non-business topic.
   - CHECK, I am nearly "graduating" in Entrepreneurship and think that online classes are a great way to enlarge know-how. 
10. Updating my iPhone with friends' current addresses. Every time I send postcards I must scroll through ancient Whatsapp messages in which we once exchanged them. For best friends this procedure takes hours and is simply too annoying with all the trips I do. Moreover, as I have lots of friends who frequently change their addresses, I am planning to design a lovely online version - I keep you updated.
    - CHECK, a friend in Vancouver received my first online postcard and I managed to update my iPhone. 

That's it for today as I must rush a little for my train. Everyone who is also going back to uni this week: I wish you a great start and all the luck for another new chapter!

Fresh bread is a routine that I will include into my daily life.

180 km around the lake (here on the French South side)

Back of the postcard (in German) - how do you like it?

Another shot from the Swiss Alps

Thai curry

Open your eyes

Happy Sunday!

Discovering your home country is a thing that we ignore by far too often. We travel around the world, to exotic destinations and forget to explore the beauty that simply is a stone throw away. Thus, I took the opportunity during the week to drive through beautiful Switzerland in order to find stunning landscapes at the end of narrow valleys and to jump into crystal clear water by the end of the day. Add the delicious picnics on top of the mountains and chocolate bars for dessert and you keep asking yourself: Why on earth do I book flights to the end of the world?

Switzerland's capital: Bern

Swiss heritage

View on the Old Town of Bern

Gruyère - famous for its cheese

Mountains are a must

And what would be Switzerland without cows... and chocolate? 

Take this post as this week’s motivation to look outside and to appreciate the place you live in. Every part on this planet has its treasures that only have to be discovered. Believe me, you will be pretty astonished what you will find!

Madrid - live a different rhythm

One of my best friends studies in Madrid which was the perfect opportunity for me to jump on a plane to actually travel to the "real" Spain for the first time. No hotel resorts, no islands, no tennis courts - just a city with elegant and proud people that I admire for their resistance against the heat. 40°C during five days killed me which is why we spontaneously squeezed in a two day escape to the beach village of Oliva at the Mediterranean Sea.

Accommodation

• I stayed at my friend's place in the Chueca district that turned out to be a really hip district with lovely little bars that were to be discovered during the night. It used to be a criminal part of the city, but is now known for its high density of homosexuals. I had a look on airbnb and fell in love with this apartment (or this... or this...or... well there are too many!) for example. If you are as stupid as I am to choose August for your visit, then I highly recommend a place with a pool. 
• In Oliva we stayed at Ana's place. We were four girls and had an amazing time in this apartment. Although you need a car to reach the beach (5 minutes drive), I would go back to the apartment instantly since it is perfectly furnished and Ana even prepared breakfast for us. Thumbs up! 

Restaurants

• As a sucker for all sweet things, I couldn't go to Spain without having some traditional churros. And well, even if it's a very touristic spot, San Ginés totally convinced me. Their churros are slightly thin and come with a dark hot chocolate to dip into. 
• The restaurant chain 100 Montaditos can be found throughout the city and is famous for its special offers. We went there on Monday when you get the second Montadito (a sort of little sandwich) for only 0.50 € and on Wednesday their whole menu is at 1 € - even the refreshing beer!
• Another very touristic spot is the Mercado San Miguel which is totally worth a visit. Try typical Spanish Jamón (ham), a local beer or a frozen yogurt - which is THE dessert in Madrid this summer. 
• Speaking of frozen yogurt, I found another concept that intrigued me a lot: Happiness Station Frigo at the Gran Via. Besides standard ice cream, they offer properly designed ice cream. I talked with the brand manager for nearly an hour and love their concept which is actually cheaper than all the frozen yogurt places around. 
• Less touristic and more exclusive than the San Miguel Market is certainly the Mercado San Anton. Once again, I loved strolling through the stalls and climbing the stairs until I found myself on their rooftop terrace which has this relaxed atmosphere where I enjoyed sipping my cocktail. 

Bars

• As a newer and hipper place, the area around Chueca is the spot for bar hopping. Don't forget that Spanish people only have dinner at 11 PM and don't go out before midnight. Oh yes, I certainly had my issues to adapt to this lifestyle... my metabolism as well. How can you have lunch at 5 PM?
• Circulo de Bellas Artes is the roof top bar in the middle of Madrid where young professionals like to meet up after work while gazing at the large city of Madrid. Lounge music, white sofas and a restaurant part complement the terrace. 

Shopping

• Since Inditex is present throughout the entire city, it was a certain must for me to stroll through Bershka, Pull&Bear, Mango and Zara. The Zara on the Gran Via (as well as the H&M) are located in impressive chic buildings, but I actually prefer their shops in the Calle Fuencarral. 
• If you need a present, I highly recommend the Ale-Hop shop. You will find so many fun elements that serve as great accessories for your next costume party. 

Escapes and Activities

• As most locals, I went to the Retiro Park, where you cannot only find a lake (with rowing boats!) but also a crystal palace which is based on the English original that used to be in the Hyde Park. A little bit of English home makes me feel welcome wherever I am...
• Madrid is pretty dead in August since all locals escape to nearby beaches. Generally speaking, I am not a huge fan of lying in the sand for hours but the Mediterranean Sea was so clean in Oliva, that even I enjoyed my beach trip since I could stay in the water for ages.
• As the sun sets in the West, the temple of Debod (an Egyptian temple) is THE location to capture the hypnotizing colours of the sky. 
• Just take a look at the buildings' facades. I feel as if I was in an amusement park as they look so perfect with their powerful colours and tiny balconies.  
• Until now, I always imagined catholic churches in Spain overloaded with decoration. Well, once I visited the Almudena cathedral in front of the King's palace, I was persuaded that there are different styles - the cathedral presents itself in a clean yet monumental way. 

Personal highlight

• The sunset at the Circulo de Bellas Artes. The mesmerizing shades of yellow and orange that bathed the city into a golden glow are not only lovely photo motifs but represent this single moment of the day when Madrid starts to calm down a little. 

What are your must sees in Madrid?

See what I mean about facades?

Don Quijote

Plaza Major

Jamón!

Parque de Madrid: Retiro

I ask myself when a guy rows such a boat for me.

Town Hall with Cibeles Fountain

Did I talk about facades?

Yumm. San Ginés churros since 1894.

View from the Circulo de Bellas Artes at night on the Plaza de Cibeles.