< Catching Fire >

WOW. Looks amazing. However, I don't remember any of this from the book! I guess I will have to reread the second book before this movie comes out in November. I think I can handle that.
>>>M

< German Children's Books >

I have been collecting a few German books. I know kinda crazy. Mostly crazy because now I have to pack some heavy books when we move, BUT it's worth it to me. It's important to me to have a nice collection of German books for our kids. I try to get German books that have German/European architecture in them otherwise they are just generic "i might as well have just bought english" books. And I am also a children's book snob, so I don't chose just any style. I like books that are filled with things to look at that have interesting illustration. I am prettty good at reading in German so this is a way for me to speak German to my children during the day. {when I someday have kids}

A few weekends ago we were in Germany and I bought the books below. MAN ALIVE do I love bookstores. Jachen was kind enough to let me get both Ali Mitgutsch books that I wanted. And good to know he does sell some others on Amazon so I can order the rest of his series online when we live in the States. I hit the jackpot with these two.

My favorite is Mein Wimmelbuch Komm mit ans Wasser by Ali Mitgutsch. The book is about 9x12 inches and is a glossy board book. I LOVE LOVE it. The rich colors and cool illustrations are seriously amazing in real life. I love this book so much I wanted to show you all the pages even though the pictures don't do it justice, but you can get the idea. And nbd the beach spread has some nakey adults in it--not in the photo though--they are small and in the corner of the page, so I guess my kids will be learning about European nudity early on--if they even notice them. ha.

A few pages from Mein grosses Winter Wimmelbuch by Ali Mitgutsch. I seriously love this artist. I want all the book in this series. This is a 9x12 glossy board book as well. This one has great German architecture which I love and look for in my German books. This book is half full illustration spreads and half "i spy" type...as you can see. So that's fun! I am a sucker for "i spy/where's waldo" type books.

And also we bought this cute little travel sized book about a fox, Ich bin der kleine Fuchs by Wolfgang de Haën. Jachen grew up with some of the books in this series so I want to continue that onto our kids. I was so so happy to find it in the small size. Here's a few pages from this one.

These three books are actually the second set of books I have bought recently...but I will share the other set later. When we get closer to moving, there is an AMAZING series of Swiss German books that I will buy. I can't decide if I want to get those in English{they carry those in English} or in German. {actually now that I think of it, my kids will have plenty books in English...I should get them in German}
>>>M

< Holiday Gift Guide//Seven//Cool Geek >

Love me some geekery. Jachen and I are dying to get the Little Big Planet Karting game{it's like unto Mario Kart but better...you can design your own people and cars}...we have the other two Little Big Planet PS3 games and they are awesome. Great for all ages.

Gift Guide//1|2|3|4|5|6
Little Big Planet Karting|Freaks & Geeks Poster|Goonies Mug|Darth Vader Plug|Star Wars Poster|Videogames Poster|Empire Strikes Back Poster|Geek Wisdom|How To Speak Wookiee|Vestal Watch|Geek Battle|Darth Vader and Son|Rocket Tea Infuser|Robot Tea Infuser|Ugly Sweater Shirt
>>>M

|| Random Thoughts As Of Late ||

 

I love tv and movies, but I would say I am pretty picky for myself on what I like to watch. I don't like watching junk. I don't like shows with petty, lying, no morals teenagers and grownups. I am always surprised by the junky gossipy, high schoolish shows people are watching. I recently stumbled upon Bunheads which is in it's first season. When I first started watching it really reminded me of Gilmore Girls, then I realized it was from the creator of Gilmore Girls, makes sense. It's a funny, entertaining and clean{which I really like} show about dancers and the new mixed up life of the lead role by actress Sutton Foster. The teenage girls are the girl next door type girls, are mega darling and witty. Sutton's character is seriously funny and I am always sad when the episode is over. Do you watch?

Ps. are you watching So You Think You Can Dance?? Great season already, I can't pick a favorite yet.

Remember how I was really looking forward to sunny summer? I'm over it...ready for Fall. ha. Is there a place in the world where it's fall weather all year around? If so, can I move there? I hate heat. hate. 

My sister Alicia had a baby July 6th! Little Isabelle has finally arrive. She will be about a year old when I get to meet her for the first time. Blah. 

My parents come in a little over a week for a visit! Can't wait for that, it will be so so nice to have them here. I can't wait to hit up France again!

I am happy my friend Julene and Betsy are planning to come visit here in October. I am excited for Julene to visit beautiful Europe. 

The last couple years I have noticed my stressing out about certain relationships in my life and the way I think about relationships. Especially when you move far away and have very little real contact with people, it's easy to notice. A while ago I realized that for me it's really important who I spend my time with and I really don't enjoy spending time with just anyone anymore. I think I have started to really value having people in my life that I trust and that I have things in common with. REAL in common with. Before, in college, I would hang out with those I came in contact with, which is not a bad thing, I had my close friends who I loved/love, but there comes a time when you realize I want realllly good friends that value my friendship back just as much and not just a lot of good friends I enjoy doing things with. If that makes sense. A few months ago I had to let go a friend who I decided was not the type of influence I wanted in my life. I still care about him, and if he ever needed me I would be there, but I had to let go. I just can't live with certain relationships. The last few weeks I have realized I needed to not stress out about relationships, I realized I was expecting too much out of people and when they would let me down I would be down about it. I decided enough was enough. I decided instead of thinking of a relationship in terms of what it was or what I want it to be, that I need to think of those relationships in terms of what it actually is and is currently. I decided it was okay to "let go" and be okay with letting go. So far this mentality has actually released a lot of stress. I don't know if any of this makes sense how I am wording it, but it's a big part of my mentality these last few months and it has been a huge relief. 

This past year or so I have also realized that it's okay to not only let go of people, but wants/dreams. I have realized circumstances change and because new circumstances arise I may have to be okay with certain other things. Meaning, my dream has always been to visit Paris. I had the chance once a few years ago, but luckily I didn't go{long story}. I vowed while living here in Switzerland, being so close to Paris that we would go. Since we have now decided to move to the States earlier than planned, next spring cross your fingers, that would mean we have only this September to go visit Paris{because I refuse to go in the snow}. Money is so so tight right now with unexpected bills and saving to move to the States as well as saving to pay for the green card for Jachen all while I don't have a job. I have excepted in my brain that my dream of going to Paris might not happen. HOWEVER, Jachen and I have decided that worst case we go for one day...one day is not enough, but enough too...one day is better than zero. It breaks my heart a little, but I would rather save to move to the States. So giving up this dream/want for another dream/want is okay too. I can't always have both. 

Switzerland makes me angry, a lot. I hate being angry. 

I am dying to play Monopoly Deal again. 

I can't believe it's mid July already. Well almost mid. 

Watching Avatar while writing which I have seen a few times outside of the theatre, but I am just now realizing how much better it really is in 3D. 

That dog is barking, I still want to throw something at it or yell at the stupid owner to shut it up. But I don't because I am not that person...I just think like that person. ha. 

We found a big Migros grocery store a few minutes by highway from our home, one we hadn't known about before and went to it the other day. So big. I LOVE a big Migros. What is it about a big nice European grocery store? My goal is to record some of it next time we go so you can see what I mean. 

Jachen and I have been watching the Harry Potter movies{for the millionth time obvi} and gosh, so good. I don't think I can ever be sick of those movies. 

Finished The Hobbit, which I said I would post more about when I finished, butttt I probably wont. So here is a little more. Holy cow it was GREAT. I love the style of writing and the story telling aspect, I can totally picture Tolkien telling these stories to his kids. I love how "Bilbo" talks to us as the readers sometimes. I love the adventure on every page turn and the epic characters. And the HUMOR! I thought about the book constantly when I wasn't reading it. CanNOT wait for the movie.

Okay, the end. 

|| Stunning Nature//The Hobbit ||

 

Lovely. I have been thinking a lot about nature lately because I have been engrossed in the book The Hobbit. I thoroughly enjoy the merry tale that's filled with adventure, magic, mystical characters and creatures. As you know these stories take place in such majestic surroundings and I cannot wait to see what beauty fills the upcoming movie. Every page in the book gets me excited for the movie and I would highly suggest reading the book in general, but even more so before The Hobbit comes out.  

If you need help convincing yourself to read the book, when I finish the book I will write more about it and then you will be convinced. :) So stay tuned for that. Right now I am just over half way through and every single page is delicious to read. Have you already read it?

Nature 1|2 Source.
 

|| Random Thoughts ||

 

^The old man across the hall from us always, always grumbles and mumbles to himself as he fumbles for his key to open his door. 

^My thighs are killlling me today, well and yesterday. I think the most they have ever been this sore. Turns out being in nursery at church for 2 hours is equivalent to running for 7 miles without stretching afterwards. So next Sunday I will for sure remember to stretch. 

^Yesterday, I had a rather lovely afternoon with my husband. We went on a walk down to the lake where the wind was creating huge waves. The picture above doesn't do the waves justice. Then we came home and made peanut butter cookies together. I love spending time with Jachen. 

^I decided not to finish reading the book I was reading. I was reading a book called Delirium which was recommended to me by the worker at the bookstore in London who saw me buying the book called Matched. I ended up not liking either. Ha. I was holding on strong with Delirium cus I was hoping the ending would at least be good. I cheated the other day and read the last 3 pages of the book and did not like what I found so I decided to stop reading the book. Only like 50 pages left, but a waste of time. 

 ^...So I started to read The Hobbit. I am really looking forward to reading it. I would be reading Eldest right now if I had it in my possession because I am dying to read that book. 

^I hate when I spend the whole day inside only to step out at the early evening to find out it was a beautiful day, that I wasted that good sunshine. 

 ^ I think I am finally getting used to the idea that I will clean two full sinks of dishes and then the next day they are both filled again. 

 ^I hate when people/characters do stupid things on movies and television just for the sake of the plot and storyline. 

 ^I have been living here in Switzerland for over a year now and I still crave American food constantly. ^I can't believe just around the corner, end of June, my sister and her husband and baby are flying here for a visit. I can snap my fingers and they will be here.

 

|| Reading List ||

These are the books that are on my current reading list.
Crescendo// the sequel to the GREAT book Hush, Hush. I really need to start reading this sequel.
Mockingjay//I read this series lonnng ago, but I just still haven't finished the last half of Mockingjay.
I know, crazy.
Eldest//the sequel to the amazing Eragon book.
The Hobbit//Jachen read this book recently and now I am itching to read it
The Lord of the Rings//I just really need to read this piece of genius.
Lola and the Boy Next Door//I LOVED Stephanie Perkins book Anna and the French Kiss and I just got to find a copy of this book.
OH and I really want to read the Harry Potter books again. I read the second book and last book this past year and I gotta find the other books in English. Jachen has the sixth book in English and the rest in German...that doesn't really help me.

Sometimes its hard to decide which book to read first, but luckily it's hard to find some of these books here. If the bookstores here have an English section it is usually small so whatever book I can get a hold of first is what I will read. I am really bad at when starting a series sticking to that series until it's done before starting another book...hence I haven't finished Mockingjay yet. I can't wait to get these books in my hands.
Have you read any of these?

|| All Things Lovely... ||

All things I want. So lovely.

Which do you love?

Crystal Necklace|Backpack|Striped Oxfords|Brogues

Aquamarine Necklace|Journal|Plush Toy|Amelie Poster|Bike

|| Eragon ||

Today I finished reading Eragon, the first book of this series. HOLY COW was it amazzzzing. I cannot believe I hadn't read it until now. I can't believe this book has been there all these years and I never had the desire to read it. I thought it was pretty epic...like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings epic. There is so much to the story, such great characters, amazing writing style and such suspense. I thought it would just be some hooky dragon era book, but I was so wrong. There are interesting and powerful characters, magic, dragons, fighting, near death escapes, bravery etc etc. This is just a really good book.

My favorite part is the writing style. So detailed, powerful words and phrasing and just so fluid. You can picture how everything happens. Some days, while I would be like doing the dishes or something else around the house I would think about "watching" more Eragon, but I would have to remind myself it was a book I was reading and not a movie I was watching.

A passage from the book

"The handle fit Eragon's hand as if it had been made for him. He slowly drew the sword; it slid soundlessly from the sheath. The flat blade was iridescent red and shimmered in the firelight. The keen edges curved gracefully to a sharp point. A duplicate of the black symbol was inscribed on the metal. The balance of the sword was perfect; it felt like an extension of his arm, unlike the rude farm tools he was used to. An air power lay over it, as if an unstoppable force resided in its core. It had been created for the violent convulsions of battle, to end men's lives, yet it held a terrible beauty." 

I am sold on this book and I highly recommend it.

I cannot wait to read the next book. 

|| Missing School ||

Sometimes I miss college. Not all aspects of course.

I miss learning. I miss meeting new people in classes. I miss having fun school supplies. I miss having a schedule and things to write in my planner. I miss walking up to campus with my headphones playing wildly great songs into my ears. I miss participating in hands-on art everyday. I miss learning about art. I kinda miss homework and studying, crazy right? I wasn't a perfect student, but being a student was a good look for me. I love the idea of that House In Order planner...keeping track of what needs to be done around the house every week, love it. 

Beige Backpack|Printed Backpack|Twig Pencils|Twig Color Pencils

Q&A Journal|Pocket Planners|Peach Daily Planner|House In Order Planner

|| Etsy Loves ||

Oh, Etsy you are grand.
Custom Portrait Mugs|Oatmeal Scarf|Greeting Card
Chevron Notebook|Ship Pillow|Brass Square Necklace
Materia Prima Necklace|Ships Messenger Bag

|| Goodies ||

Yes, please.
I love the idea of having a daily journal to just jot down daily things I/we did during the day. I would love to remember the simple day to day things. That beverage dispenser is SO ideal and I would use it everyday of my life...and I would have to, to make the price worth it. Anthropologie makes such dreamy products.

Leaves Pillow|Bow Ring|Fox Blanket|Stump Ring|Gold Nugget Necklace

2012 Journal|Woodland Postcards|Letterpress Necklace|Beverage Dispenser

|| All things lovely... ||

|Dress c/o Le Lapin D'or|

|Read this book! I loved it!|

|Bicycle c/o Starling & Hero|

|Canon Camera Mugs c/o Photojojo|

|I want these boots in every color c/o Infinity Shoes|

|Knit Case & Laptop Case c/o Urban Outfitters|

|Fancy shoes c/o Ruche|

|Pretty dresses c/o Shopbop|

|Pretty braided hair c/o Pinterest & Simply Seductive|