Cheers to the New Year | 7 REALISTIC RESOLUTIONS FOR TWENTY-SOMETHINGS

Now that Christmas lies behind us (at least officially), we are heading towards the New Year… the time of year that, let’s face it, many people dread.

Sure, it is a time of celebration, of emotional reminiscence and hopeful foresight. Yet, simultaneously, it is one of those (rare and yet much too frequent) moments in time when we stare straight into the abyss of the unknown, the dreaded, of potential change and unexpected misfortune.

Christmas Insanity | SNOW STORM & DIY STAR ORNAMENTS

This year we had what I would call a late White Christmas.

Christmas day itself was incredibly wet. I wouldn’t say it was raining cats and dogs, but it was quite gross, really.

But then, on December 27, it was so white out you needed sunglasses just to find your way to the outdoor waste containers to get rid of the skeletal remains of Madame Roast Goose!

Sure, I asked for snow. But I’m quite fond of my eyesight, so I think I’d like to hang on to it a little while longer, thank you!

Christmas Mania | DIY HOUSE LANTERNS

Christmas could hardly be any closer; the tinsel is up, it smells of baked apples and homemade cookies, last-minute gifts are being wrapped and families are getting together.

Since it was my first time spending the pre-Christmas season in Berlin, I thought I’d share with you these house candle holders I made to brighten up the dark wintery nights...

Christmas Craze | PUTTING UP THE TREE & DIY CHRISTMAS ENVELOPE PILLOW CASES

IT SNOWED! FINALLY! My blogging prayers have been heard! The first snow of the season!

My excitement is beyond measure!

Tiny ice crystals falling from the sky and melting on our little noses, it even sounds wonderful!

(Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things)

True, it only snowed for a few minutes and yes, it dissolved fairly quickly;

Christmas Fever | SPICED APPLE JAM WITH OVEN-BAKED PUMPKIN SEED CRISPBREAD

CAUTION!

Christmas Fever has struck again!

Lately, all I can think about is how I am going to decorate for Christmas. How I should tackle this year’s Christmas gift shopping in a timely and fashionable manner. Where should I put the tree? The star? The snowflakes? WHEN WILL IT FINALLY START TO SNOW??

Channeling My Inner Katniss Everdeen | DIY ARROW PENCILS

Let me cut straight to the chase.

Jennifer Lawrence looks pretty damn good with a bow and arrow. Mind you, she looks good with just about anything, no doubt, but she knows how to use it too which is something most people probably can’t say for themselves.

A Luminous Happy Birthday | DIY SPARKLING CUPCAKE TOPPERS

This past week Berlin hosted one helluva party. For this one joyous weekend film collages on several locations across the city, guided and so-called discovery tours along the former course of the Berlin Wall, a Wall Stories exhibition, special guests and live music reminded of the boundless joy of 1989 when the Berlin Wall finally came down, all those 25 years ago. It was a celebration of East and West joining together; of two becoming one.

(Am I the only one stuck with the Spice Girls in their head now?

Candle light and soul forever

A dream of you and me together

Say you believe it, say you believe it)

A Family of Crafters | DIY BOATS 'N' BUNTING

What do you like most about your family?

The way the family members warmly smile when they finally meet after having not seen each other in way too long? 

Getting everyone together for a delicious home-made meal on a cool summer’s night? 

The chit chat at the dinner table that soon turns hostile even though nobody seems to know exactly how that even happened and who started it? 

Death is Just Around the Corner | DIY HALLOWEEN DECOR & TREATS

One-legged zombie, sparkling vampire, mother-in-law from hell.

What are you going to be for Halloween?

I myself am a big fan of the slutty doctor. Such a classic.

Berlin du bist so wunderbar | DIY NOTEBOOK TAGS

It is official. Ich bin ein Berliner!

That is, on paper.

I spent the past couple of weeks running around Berlin like a mad-person hunting for a new home and now I’ve actually signed up at the registry office. I officially have a Berlin address. Crazy.

MOUNTAINS, GOATS & BARBECUES

As mentioned in my last post, I guess you could say that the moth is my spirit animal. I relate to anything associated with wind, natural earth tones and wings. 

Also, I love the idea of living two lives, one as a caterpillar and another as a fully grown adult moth. Imagine being able to say Nope, that’s it, I’m going to bed!, wrapping up in a cozy blanket and then waking up as a fully transformed person. 

Getting Started | DIY WATERCOLOR PILLOWS

Ever since I was a little girl I have answered to the name of Motte. This nickname was given to me by my parents and although I have had a fair share of nicknames (I can think of nine just now ranging from logical deductions from my birth name to bizarre associations which frankly, I am not in favor of), this one really stuck.

Yes, every family get-together starts with “May I still call you Motte?” – “Are you too old to be called Motte?” – “Is it ok if I…”

It never bugged me much (See what I did here? Oh wait, you can’t, I haven’t explained. Just stick with me!). It was only when my family moved to Germany that I realized that it was not the most favorable name.

THAT'S MOTTE!

Sinatra’s rendition of That’s Life might just be the best song of all times. It’s simple, it’s catchy. It’s a parody and harsh reality at once. It’s an attempt at encouragement. It’s comforting and terrifying and a big pain in the bum. And it is my new philosophy.

Time and time again we are reminded that our lives are not picture perfect. Most of us do not, nor ever will own a Hollywood mansion where personal trainers, chefs and florists await; where pet unicorns sing lullabies and it rains gumdrops and roses (To those lucky few: Cheers!); 

and that in fact, none of us will ever get to marry Ryan Gosling, regardless of what Pinterest is trying to make us believe (I predict there will be that one exception and we can battle it out later. I hear he is into bake-offs and I am pretty good at them, so brace yourselves!).