Pay it Forward

I'm grabbing the baton from Cat at Bride Blu (my dear sponsor) and participating in this Pay it Forward business!

"But that's ridiculous, you don't make things".

True! But! Last week I was feeling...I don't know, crafty or bored, or something so I went to the Bead Box in Luzern and managed to put together some pretty feather earrings for myself so I think I'm basically a pro now, right?


Anyway, the rules are in the pretty icon thing - so the first 5 to comment and pledge to carry this on will get a little surprise from yours truly.


Ok bye!

Friday Fancies & the NTV Winner

This art work from About Today   

 These fun notebooks from Mociun

This little wooden arrow necklace from Super Duper Things

 This Snow Leopard Sweatshirt (it has the perfect level of animal print for me)

And happy happy memories from Mark's birthday party last weekend (black light bowling is perfectly sane for grown up birthday party!)

*This was a part of the Friday Fancies series - thanks for hosting, {Av}!



                   Oh, and P.S.

Congratulations, Kelle Dame, you're the winner of the Noble Town Vintage earring giveaway...lucky girl!!






 

"It's in the Bag" Blog Crawl

Today is my turn to post the contents of my bag for the blog crawl organized by Ashley at "A Hasty Life" - thanks for hosting such a fun (and huge) blog activity! (More details below)

*The Bag ~ one of the bags on rotation, Purchased last September in London

The Contents

1. Ciaffi Notebook

2. Camera (Canon Digital Elph). It's ancient...2006 ancient..

3. Red Star Ink 2011 Planner

4. iPhone

5. Mirror (Old school H&M)

6. A Clementine, is this weird?

7. Bath & Body Works Stress Relief Body Lotion (Eucalyptus Spearmint)

8. iPod

9. Sephora Blotting Papers (priceless)

10. Buxom Lips Lipgloss

11. Wallet that is sadly fading but has served me for many years

12. My Current Read: Vanity Fair (bought in used bookstore in Heidelburg - I love to smell it!)

I also did one of these blog post's last March...it is Here! (and I still use this bag a lot)

To see yesterday's bag post visit Leann at Join the Gossip 

And tomorrow check in with Caroline at {good times never seem sew so good}

For the full list of participants (120 bloggers!) and groups (including others that posted today) visit A Hasty Life for the master list =)

Housekeeping

I take pictures of random things, like this guy walking proudly through Cinque Terre with a polka dot speedo, his head held high and his hat and snorkling gear. And also this older man with a swan hat. Like as in a hat that looks like a swan.

Was tagged by Flirty 30 with a blog award and quiz...I generally fail at following up with these, I'm so bad at them - but I'm giving it a go now because I was also tagged by Allister Bee, milk teeths and PinkOrchids for ones so it's like I'm cornered! (jk) So thank you all! But I'm accumulating them all here and dealing with them all in this one place efficient like. And there is one from Ashley from forever ago that I haven't done yet but am going to... and it's a really good one and I'm surprised she still talks to me since I haven't done it. Actually, I think when I failed to follow up was when she started making fun of me for doing things like spelling out the slash and the whole w i d e thing. I'm on her list I think.

1. Why did you create your blog?

To remember things that I find that are cool! It's pretty deep.

2. What kind of blogs do you follow?

Let's see, I follow and like a big variety - people who have become like friends and I so enjoy catching up on what they are thinking or liking on any given day. I love bloggers who are  themselves and provide interesting content but it's most fun when we click or get each other. 

3. Favourite make-up brands

I'm not big in to makeup but I'll probably never switch from Bare Minerals even though I read somewhere it's probably killing me because of the small particles that are inhaled...ummm....I need proof though. I also tend to learn things the hard way?

4. Favourite clothing brands

I love the store here called vero modo - also - I really like Urban Outfitters, topshop, the usual. don't judge me.

5. Your indispensable make-up product?

Mascara

6. Your favourite colour

Green.

7. Your perfume? 

Summer=Nina Ricci & Winter=Lolita Lempicka

8. Your favourite film?

My mind goes completely blank when asked this question, I have no clue. Maybe 'Once' because I loved the soundtrack.

9. What country would you like to visit and why?

Australia - It's so foreign to me, I have no idea what it's like. Except, I'll never want to fly there because I hate planes.

10. Write the last question and answer it yourself: I'm stealing Flirty 30's because it's fun..Secret Dream? To be a back up dancer for all the famous pop stars. I KNOW. (dreaming big huh!)

P.S

And don't miss the Ande Mönster Giveaway HERE. For real. I'm genuinely reminding you in case you didn't see it! 

Discount Code for 20% off Ande Mönster Vintage is "IheartVillage". Go ahead, snoop around. (you have to say it like that guy in Ace Ventura)

Humor me!

Stacey at Design Addict Mom tagged me in an award (ohhh forever ago...no really) with some questions to answer. (Thanks for thinking of me!). I just adore her - her blog is beautiful, her heart is beautiful and her son is beautiful. She's just one of those people whose souls radiates through her writing and the inspiring pictures that she posts!

1. Why do you blog?
This blog started because I wanted a way to remember everything that I came across that I loved - and to share it! I still look through the archives and love everything. Plus, how easy will my christmas list be to make? ;)  However, it's also since morphed in to me just enjoying being a part of this little community. I'm in awe at some of the amazing girls I've met along the way. I was away for last week and came back so excited to see everything I've missed!

2. What are your 3 best memories?Spending my summers as a teenager with my great-grandparents in Kentucky, me and Brandi making each other laugh so hard during classes in grad school that we would be shaking behind our computers trying not to make a sound or a scene!, a w/e Mark and I spent in Galena with his motorcycle, bed and breakfasts and some wineries =)

3. Name 4 of the best fiction books you've read.

Middlesex
Prep
Call Me By Your Name

Watership Down (I just remember loving this as a teen)

4. What are the 5 best movies ever made?

I'm so not a movie buff...I'm too in to books, but here are some I like!
Man on Wire
Where the Wild Things Are
Office Space =)

Ok, this isn't fun, I like most movies!

5. Name 5 things you can't live without. 

Books.
Soul mate friends.
Computer.
My down comforter.
Hair Straightener....don't judge me. 

6. If you could change your name, what would it be?

I always wish my name was Claire. 

7. Tell us a unique and interesting fact about yourself?

Besides the fact that I think this is the most difficult kind of question in the universe? One of my favorite things to do is to open the dishwasher after it's done running and stick my face in the hot air that comes out. Does that count? Maybe I fail at this question!

8. If you could have a freaky friday experience, who would you change places with?

Beyonce, totally.

9. What is the best thing about being a woman?

Feeling sexy and beautiful!



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Whoa Red Bull!

Bama sleeping on my leg. My heart can't handle is cute.

The stylish SoulPrincess! all the way from Norway tagged me to do a little "in and out" thing. I'm totally in the mood to do these lately! So here goes! (!!) (Plus...I was introduced to Red Bull tonight  and I didn't even have much but here I am going strong {thanksforthemotivationyouknowwhoyouare)

In
+ The song Majesty by Madrugada that I just heard on SignePling. It's magical

+ My running schedule - I've worked so hard all summer to stick with it and be at the mileage I am now - I feel victorious! In your face!...someone...
+ My new maxi dress...FINALLY!

+ Coffee on grey mornings

+ The sunny and 80 degree weather I have coming up this weekend

+ Mark coming home on saturday!!

+ Reading

+ Dressing up as a gorilla for a race, betcha can't wait to see THOSE pics

+ The awesome swap I did with Chantelle at Daisy Dayz. She sent along a british mag that spent some time with me and a glass of wine the other night =)

Out

+ The end of summer =(

+ Job searching = lame!

+ A neighbor who blows his nose loudly outside. for real?

+ drinks with friends then mcdonalds for dinner....too much happening there
+ O.P.I. Nail Polish color costing about $26 here...my jaw is still on the floor. But shamefully, I now have     Glitzerland in my possession. Don't ask me the mental gymnastics I achieved to justify that....please?

Now I tag YOU because you read my blog and I read your blog and I want to know what's in and out, k?!

Taggity tag

Was tagged by the beautiful Fashion Butter with some questions! If you like gorgeousness, down to earth-ness (just made a word) and Greece you have to go check this blog out =)

1.   Do you wear a watch?

Yesss, I'm always catching trains and buses so it's super helpful. It's a little gold Timex watch from UO - I love it and no other watch has caught my eye since =)

2.   What types of things do you refuse to spend money on?  Splurge on? 

It really kills me to have to buy bottled water! I just can't bring myself to do it unless I'm dehydrated and on my last leg. But I will throw down the .40 cents it takes to buy a packet of ketchup at Mcdonalds here, for sure!  As for everything else, it's all fair game. My general rule is to not buy anything unless I truly love it. (The thing is though, I love a lot of things)

3.   Favorite animal?

My dog...truly. Penguins are a close second =)

4.   The best concert you have ever attended?

I must go with when Mark and I saw Greg Laswell in Des Moines, IA - there was hardly anyone there so we sat at a table near the bar, sipped on great beer and had a flawless view.

5.   What's the oldest piece of clothing you still own and wear?
A pair of A&F jeans that I bought in HS for $50 - the most expensive pair I had bought at that time! They have some holes, some paint, and some rips in them now but they are still so comfortable. I imagine they have stretched quite a bit over the years =)

6.   How do you *really* feel about cat print rompers?

So, I think I might be too old for them?

7.   What towns/cities have you lived in over the years?

Brooklyn NY, Valparaiso IN, Grand Rapids MI, Cedar Rapids IA, Huntsville AL, Buochs - Switzerland

8.   Hot sauce ... evil or yummy?
evil!

a Picture and a Questionnaire

It was GORGEOUS here on Saturday! Not a cloud in the sky! ...Ok, just one - isn't it so cute? 

I was tagged by Mariam (Mon Style De Vie) to answer some questions! I rarely do these but...I feel like it today! (I apparently also feeling like using a lot of exclamation marks!!)

Her questions were:

1. What current style do you think will end up being a fad?

2. What's your guilty pleasure?

3. What made you decide to start a blog?

4. Favourite Past time

5. Do you have a job or are you a student?

6. Favourite Chocolate Bar/Candy?

7. Money/Love?

8. Favourite Music & Movie Genre?

1. Harem pants - for sure. I hope that boy capris are a fad too. Or maybe this is a europe thing? dislike.

2. Chick Lit - I have to read it every now and then even though Mark makes fun of me =)

3. I was always running across things on the Internet that I wanted to remember, so starting a blog was a way to document it all.

4. Reading, Running, Reading your blogs!

5. Just graduated with my masters in Social Work last year to be a therapist - but then moved to Switzerland where the degree most def doesn't transfer - currently on the job hunt =)

6. Kage-Fretli's - these amazing chocolate wafer things here: I've been known to eat a whole box in one day but don't judge me you would too i swear!

7. Love

8. Music: folk/indie genre (ex. Avett Brothers, Mumford & Sons, etc). Movies: I like most movies!

Questionnaire from Laura =)

Taken in Luzern
(I also put it in my photo blog so sorry if you've seen it twice =))
Thanks for all your responses about home sickness! I feel much better today - I suppose it's going to happen every now and then...
(And, Go Spain!)

I was tagged by one of my faves, Laura at A Fennel Designer,  to answer some questions so here it is! I know most people skim over these and I'm really boring at them so sorry about it!!

1. What is your favourite image/photograph?
My favorite photograph can be found here - it's the top one of the water, you might have seen it before! I just love how moody it is, I can relate to it =) I want to eventually blow it up on to a canvas for my flat. 

2. What is your earliest memory?
Getting the chicken pox in kindergarten - I was itchy during story time and my teacher sent me to the office - I was embarrassed. 

3. What is the one thing you would most like to change in the world?

I would like for people to not steal bikes. My bike was stolen last night and I'm really sad =( 

4. What is your must have fashion item?
Hands down, this summer it is simple jean shorts. As much as I'd love to wear skirts, harem pants and whatever else is ridiculously in style right now - I keep wearing my jean shorts =)

5. What makes you happy?

People that return bikes they've stolen and/or finding my bike and kicking whoever stole it in the balls. They obviously don't need them anyway =)
Ok, But the real list is midnight swims, riding my former bike home at night from the bus, the feeling after a good long run, hearing my favorite songs at the right moments, rooftop bars, dates with mark, and spending time with friends - oh and also everyone who reads my blog - I love reading comments and knowing who they are and stuff - it is fun :) 

6. Which is worse - failing or never trying?

I hate failing...which keeps me from trying a lot of things - So I will go with never trying because I usually end up not failing. 

7. Who is your ideal partner?

Someone who has an amazing heart and who has integrity. Basically Mark - and because he has these things I continue to love him after the million years that we've been together. Sure I wish he were different in some ways since we are basically opposites but at the end of the day I am in love with his heart and I couldn't live without the security of him and who he is in my life. 

8. Where would you most like to live in the world?
I think that even though I am feeling a little homesick - I wouldn't want to be living anywhere else in the world than where I am right now. I love it here. I'm sure it will eventually change, but this is where I want to be now!

8th Tag

Was tagged twice for this game so I better do it! once by my favorite lady in Zurich, Swiss Twist, and also by the pretty lady at Glass Half Full (who did an awesome hiking post inspired by my complete lack of knowing how to dress when hiking). Thanks for thinking of me =)

So first, thank goodness this game landed on something really cool and not one of the million pictures of my dog, me and my dog, or me =) This was taken at around 2 am in February after Mark and I missed the last bus to our house, walked for an hour in the snow ("it's pry not that far!"), and stumbled across a huge party in a tent in our town where marching bands were center stage. Welcome to Fasnacht in Switzerland!

What's the 8th picture in your 8th folder?

10 Things that Make me Happy...

A looong time ago, one of my favorite blogs, Metropolitan Mum, tagged moi (!) to do a 10 things that make me happy thing. She is sassy, smart and down to earth so because I like her, I'll do it! I'm usually horrible at meme's (and sometimes I skim over them, sorry!) but I'm going to go ahead and tackle this one ;)

1. my brown dogs ears - they are the softest of soft
2. Taking pictures and loving how they turn out
3. Waking up or falling asleep to a thunderstorm

4. Crepes

5. Receiving gifts

6. Giving gifts

7. The feeling after a good run

8. Laughing until I cry

9. Pulling off an amazing meal

10. How Mark is sure to hug me multiple times a day

Feel free to participate and let me know if you put your list up!