best of italy

Here are some of the 'best of' shots during our time in Italy last week. We spent most of the time in the lake Como area but my favourite part was our day trip to Venice where we were able to take in the charming scenery of this floating city and visit the Venice Biennale. ('a major contemporary art exhibition that takes place once every two years in Venice Italy...' wiki here).

We also spent a small amount of time in Milano and saw the famous Gothic cathedral and Galleria Vittorio Emanule II which houses some very expensive designer lables like Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Versache, (not that I was buying, in fact I was too imtimidated to even go into the stores).

Even before I arrived home, I received a desperate call from work saying every teacher was either sick or on holiday, and could I come in extra hours and basically run the preschool? No problem, but since I am the very new, part time teacher and had only worked there for total of 12 hours, it was quite the leap. By the end of last week, I was very tired.

And this week we move house. again. phew! Life is a little too busy right now but I really can't complain. I am very excited about the new place, I really like my new job, and my new German course is really fabulous, but sometimes when everything is NEW and BUSY, all you want to do is curl up with a good book, and drink cups of coffee all day long, and do absolutely nothing.

Hope to catch up with all your blogs really soon!
xokimberlee

The colours

The colours I'm attracted to at the moment are deep berries and violets, warm saffron and corn, powdery blush, lavender and silver...

Yes there's some Habu silk/stainless and Habu silken bamboo, from this heaven on Auckland. Some others are Sublime cashmere/merino/silk and Rowan Kidsilk Haze. Even some Moda soy/merino/mohair.

The Moomin' book I've wanted for a long time was just waiting patienly in the local bookshop untill finally I noticed it and yelped a happy oh oh oh you were here all the time. The cover has the colourscheme aha.
The horsies are Lieveke's, same colours again.
The softest pink B-clogs are Lieveke's too. Her new 'balletclogs' (hee I know.)

I ordered some La Droguerie 'bleuet' and 'cassis' alpaca from Julija. Anne and Julie have opened their beautiful shop with the exquisite French La droguerie yarns and a top selection of fine fabrics (Liberty, Kokka...) in one of my favorite streets in the whole world. Nationale straat in Antwerp. This street houses amongst others Dries Van Noten , Veronique Branquino, Comme des Garcons and leads to Ann De Meulemeester... It's in this area of the city that blog-sweethearts Mieke and Veronik have their wonderful treasure shop. Gabriel and I used to go there every other day for windowdreaming (me), falafel and frietjes (Gabriel mostly) and Leffe or Bolleke beer (both of us). Oh Antwerp, I miss it so...

Happy weekly beginnings to all.
-Lies

Sweet ones

The peach blossoms are so pretty, in our little garden.

I got a baking book. Tremendous. Kimberlee knows I'm a hazard to public safety when it comes to baking. But this gorgeously sweet book helped me make cupcakes! Cupcakes. That's pretty amazing, for me. And they were edible. Yum according to expert cake-eater Lieveke.

Then did some knitting, from another new sweet book. With the softest organic cotton I made bootees (they stay ON!) and a cardy for Noor. The cardy fits perfectly. For another two weeks or so. Noor's into growing like a cabbage.

And sweetest : she's got ONE tooth.

-have a sweet one too
Lies

making again

Well I finally am making again! phew what a relief! Crafting, oh how I have missed you. and farbric? oh baby!

These scarves are really popular here in Berlin and since the weather has started turning, they now have a real practical application. Warmth. Since the ones in the shops are 15 euro and are really just a square of fabric anyway, I made one for myself.

It was embarrassingly easy with no sewing required (which is important since I am machine-less). I just bought one metre of fabric from the Turkish markets (1.50 baby!) and cut it into a giant square. Then I cut fringe around the edges and tied a knot at the end of each fringe piece. Tying a heap of little knots was a little tiresome but perfect monkey work to do in front of a DVD.

I heard of a little sewing cafe in my area where one can go and pay 5 eruos an hour to sew in a communal atmosphere. Naturally machines are provided, but also thread and advice from the people. Great eh? Richt now I can only afford to sew on an as needed basis. but I can see some much needed pillow cases in my future.

Many changes around here. New job in a bilingual kindergarten, new German course starting up, moving again soon, and we head off to Italy for a long weekend on Thursday. I will take photos. :)

have a good one folks!
oxKimberlee

Drape. Fold.Pleat.

New sewing book.
Is fabulous.




Lovely blog this.
And this one.





Happy midweek!
-Lies

what to wear for winter...

So it looks like we may stay out the winter here, though I can't say for sure yet. But I decided I must get into the survival mindset. The Berlin winters are notoriously cold and since I have spent the last 6 winters in Auckland where the jack frost rarely comes to call (and snow? never!), I am reaching down into my Minnesotan childhood roots and reminding myself, Yes! I can do this! It's in my blood.

And I am not just whistling dixie! Once I spent the night sleeping in self built ice/snow fort on our frozen high school football field as part of winter survival assignment. This is where I come from! so I should be able to do the Berlin Winter.....right?

Okay self pep talk over.
If memories along can't prepare me, I know winter fashion can. What better thing to usher in the season than thick winter tights, high leather boots, snugly knits, and nice warm coat to bundle up in? So I have turned to my favourite fashion blogs to find the inspiration I need....

HEL- LOOKS from Helsinki Finland is by far my favourite street fashion blog. The mix of designer, self made, and second hand clothes best reflects how real creatives dress. and I love the Wacky colours. I would pretty much be stoked to look half as good as any of these winter gals.







The Satoralist who I think everyone knows by now is a bit more classic and high fashion, but there are some real gems in there. Yellow coat & strippy socks=win!



Some Girls Wonder is the fashion journal of Inside Black Apple where she regularly models her own amazing vintage wardrobe and gives top tips about finding original and vintage styled clothing.





Cherry Blossom Girl is a French fashion journal of a young woman or so I believe. Since I am not so hot on the French front, I am not completely sure how it works. From what I gather she gets sent a lot of vintage and designer clothes to model and then goes to different places around the world or amazing dreamlike locations in France and then does photo shoots with said clothes. Yeah, I know. Some people's lives, right? Her blog is very much about getting lost in a fairytale.



So now I feel a bit more mentally prepared for winter. Phew.
I leave you with a photo from hel-looks. It may be a bit much but she's certainly NOT getting cold anytime soon.

xoKimberlee

Last weekend

I needed to know if I could knit ONE (Noro kneehigh) sock in ONE weekend.
I can. All during Noor's naps. And I have plans. For those pretty Nani Iro Pocho dots.
But argghhh. When? Sigh, I'm so lucky really, to have these wonderful and very busy kids.
Better get on with that other sock.




Bon weekend
-Lies