January 15, 2015

Moving On


Wow, I can't believe how much work it was to move. 

300 Posts later, 2 weeks of work and a bajillion cups of tea, I sat down to go through every single post I have written since 2011, categorize it and adapt it to my new website:


I have been thinking about THIS move for a year now and you know how it is, you always procrastinate and find reasons not to do it - or in my case - there are not enough hours in a day. Well, with the start of a new year, I decided: let's do this! Let's not waste more time and really, TAKE time to what's important to you and start.. one step at a time. 

That's about it, now, go explore: style, eat, move and think with me on this journey! 

Many thanks for my honest readers and supporters,
especially to my friends - who keep this project alive! 

Love love love! 

P.S.: It feels really good to move on from time to time.

January 1, 2015

About Tomorrow


No one can go back, but everyone can go forward.
And tomorrow, when the sun rises, all you have to say to yourselves is: I am going to think of this year as the first year of my life... 

I will look on the members of my family with surprise and amazement, glad to discover that they are by my side, silently sharing that much-talked-about, but little understood thing called love.
I will pass a beggar, who will ask me for money. I might give it to him or I might walk past thinking that he will only spend it on drink, and as I do, I will hear his insults and know that it is simply his way of communicating with me.
I will pass someone trying to destroy a bridge. I might try to stop him or I might realise that he is doing it because he has no one waiting for him on the other side and this is his way of trying to fend off his own loneliness.
I will look at everything and everyone as if for the first time, especially the small things that I have grown used to, quite forgetting the magic surrounding them. The desert sands, for example, which are moved by an energy I cannot understand – because I cannot see the wind.

Instead of noting down things I’m unlikely to forget on the notebook I always carry with me, I will write a poem. Even if I have never written one before and even if I never do so again, I will at least know that I once had the courage to put my feelings into words.

When I reach a small village that I know well, I will enter it by a different route. I will be smiling, and the inhabitants will say to each other: ‘He must be mad, because war and destruction have left the soil barren.’

But I will keep smiling, because it pleases me to know that they think I am mad. My smile is my way of saying: ‘You can destroy my body, but not my soul.’
Tonight, before leaving, I’m going to spend time sorting through the pile of things I never had the patience to put in order. And I will find that a little of my history is there.
All the letters, the notes, cuttings and receipts will take on their own life and have strange stories to tell me – about the past and about the future. All the different things in the world, all the roads travelled, all the entrances and exits of my life.

I am going to put on a shirt I often wear and, for the first time, I am going to notice how it was made. I am going to imagine the hands that wove the cotton and the river where the fibres of the plant were born. I will understand that all those now invisible things are a part of the history of my shirt.

And even the things I am accustomed to – like the sandals which, after long use, have become an extension of my feet – will be clothed in the mystery of discovery.
Since I am heading off into the future, I will be helped by the scuff marks left on my sandals from when I stumbled in the past.

May everything my hand touches and my eyes see and my mouth tastes be different, but the same. That way, all those things will cease to be a still life and instead will explain to me why they have been with me for such a long time; and they will reveal to me the miracle of re-encountering emotions worn smooth by routine. 

-- Taken from the Manuscript found in Accra

December 31, 2014

2014 // It was a pleasure ♥

6 months of No Shopping OVER!

One of my biggest New Year's Resolutions for 2014 was my 6-Month-No-Shopping-Challenge, at which I did a fair job: I ended up buying only a few items from a flea market, and one blouse. Now, thinking 'bout this, it's crazy, isn't it (considering myself as the shopaholic I was before)? Wow, maybe I should do it again! It made my mind clearer and let me focus on the important things in life. Also, what went along way were my many visits to flea markets to sell my beloved items and give them new owners. Read a full review here. My consumption on clothing has definitely changed and I still try my best to only buy things I love and can imagine myself wearing everyday!

 Rebekka Ruétz A/W'14

 Green Juice from Rohvolution // Berlin

 That Vegan Quiche


Also, I took the risk and went from mid-length-hair to #shorthairdontcare and loved it! During Berlin Fashion Week A/W'14 in January, it was nice to catch up with friends and visit a couple of shows and fairs, my very first time for only my blog! Hurray! Throughout the year, I spent a good amount of time in Berlin, being close to my boyfriend and friends, but also to the creative input of the city. We did lots of cooking, baking and experimenting with new recipes. The Raw x Vegan Food Fair was a highlight where we experienced different dishes, brands and superfoods. Highly recommended to anyone who's into it! I reconnected with Nature by learning and studying a bit about Edible Wild Herbs and their Powers. Hug a Tree! My meals became lighter, greener and healthier, from Green Juices to Salads with Superfoods and to THAT favorite Vegan Quiche. By the end of this year, I became more and more vegan with small exceptions here and there. I met the Swede Malin Elmlid in person and traded in Spices from the Sudan with one of her Sourdough Breads -- the Bread Exchange Book is out, too! Yumm! 

Summer suddenly arrived and Berlin Fashion Week S/S'15 was another huge event series with fairs and people. But we didn't only focus on food and fashion, during the summer I got to hang out a lot at Funky Summer Longboard Shop and learned some longboard screwing skills - yes! Ride into Summer with the Loaded Teamriders happened to be with our shop in Berlin, too! Adam Colton's Bite the Bag Game became a classic! Uh, I also went Skydiving in Berlin for the first time - who's coming with me next?
 After the Rainstorm 

 So much fun with these guys // Ride into Summer w/ Loaded

August, the month where I took off for new Adventures, new Heights and explored a new country: Canada - Vancouver to be precise - Rocky Mountains - Tofino, Vancouver Island. Backpacking - Hiking - Surfing. #eatsleephikerepeat #wildlife to the fullest #girlsroadtrip. I loved every minute! It was breath-taking, unbelievable, so so beautiful, so much fun, so much quality of life and untouched nature, please can you take me back?! 3 weeks were not enough! This trip was followed by one week of San Francisco Sunshine. More food, more hiking. Just good people and positive vibes overall.
 
 Vancouver-bound 

 On top of Mount Fairview // Rocky Mountains, Canada

 Vancouver Island
  San Francisco Sunshine
Another reason why I decided to go on a Shopping Fast earlier this year was my Study Abroad semester. I applied in late 2013 and crazily, got into the few spots for New York City! At the end, I was glad that I did not know how hard it actually was to get into THAT city. Just be yourself! Yes, even in your applications and motivation letters! I remember exactly one year ago when I had to make the decision: do it and spend tons of money or leave it and save it. I doubted a lot, why? Maybe because I do not have that kind of savings account and maybe, I didn't get a scholarship until one week before I headed out to Vancouver. Anyways! September! NEW YORK! 


I was excited, I still am. 4 months being a full-time student and experiencing New York anew. Wow, the city, I first fell in love with.. how was it? Besides school, papers and final exams, it was amazing. Very different from my first time: I spotted some favorite Bloggers during New York Fashion Week, my first Broadway Bomb with the East Coast people were crazy fast and crazy good, I fell truly and deeply in love with Running again, I met very interesting people. Some of them I learned to love and care about. I am grateful for every moment this year. Reflecting on 2014 makes me realize: I love my life, even in your toughest and roughest times, just do what you love and keep doing it. Better times will always come!

 Being a Tomboy during NYFW 

 Broadway Bomb


 Best of Fleas in Williamsburg
During my Running High

A huge THANK YOU to every single one who was part of 2014! I can't wait for new adventures and share with you more positive light and love! ♥

December 28, 2014



And I need you like the moon needs the sun to shine. 
Have you ever seen the world with loving eyes? 
Well, it's beautiful and nice and every moment's a surprise.
Have you ever heard of the things them sound with loving ears?
Well, it will make you feel so fine and make you wanna dance and smile. 

Do you know what words can do where there is love in them?
It can crown girls to queens and beggars to kings.

Love is the reason for everything, and that is why I sing. 

-- Love by Patrice

December 7, 2014

NYC #15 // Stretch out with UNDO

  
Yoga. It makes everyone a more loving, compassionate being on earth. After any session, I am always in Slow-Motion. I move, touch, eat, drink more mindfully. If you haven't read my small THANK YOU note to Yoga yet, here it is again:

Every single session is such a healing gift for my body and mind. I've learned how to combine breathing, physical exercise and meditation. This is real quality time. Always, always love yourself first before you go out and spread it. Also, you start recognizing how breathing is so important while doing yoga. You become more mindful and grateful for everyday little things. When you incorporate yoga and meditation in your hectic, crazy schedule, you will see small changes. Small changes with big impact. And the more I do it, the more I love life and feel happier, more grounded, more myself and confident. 

These pictures were taken at the Undo x WithoutWalls Yoga Event held for the launch of their 2nd Issue. After a small meditation intro session with Ben Turshen, Shae led us through a nice yoga flow. Thanks to UndoMagazine who made this happen!