An Interview...

Hey you, how are you? I've missed you. 

(But I must say I'm enjoying my time offline...

I've been taking pictures... I've had ideas... I'm looking forward to Christmas!)

But alas, here is the interview I promised:

Isabell on Parenting Interviews. 

(A big THANK YOU to the very lovely Dorothy of the ever-inspirational Feet On The Ground 

for asking me to be a part of the inspiring parenting series, I really am so honored).

Hop on over and read more!

:)

It's time...

I had more pictures I wanted to share, and a story about this woman I saw the other day, bra-less, smeared make-up, greasy hair, who started laughing like a mad woman in the middle of the street (me!), but then I got this message by blogger:

"Whoops. You've reached your upload limit."

What now?

My options are to purchase more storage space (I won't), to create a new blog (I simply don't have the energy or time right now), or to take it as a hint that it's time to say goodbye.

I think it's time.

I've been longing for the privacy of my journal. Of sitting down with a pen and paper at night and writing whatever I feel like. Of holding pictures of my loved ones in my hands, instead of staring at them on the screen, and gluing them into little albums of love.

And so I've decided to say goodbye (God be with ye). Auf ein Wiedersehen. Maybe I'll be back someday... If so, you'll be the first to know.

Thank you all for your love and support over the last months, for shared laughs and tears, I'll miss you. This is just something I need to do.

And the winner...

... of the Grain & Silk Giveaway...

... as chosen by random.org...

... is...

... drumroll....

... lucky number "6."  

Franziska Patterson,

who said

"Urgh...I agree. I like a lot of those prints. 

Well, if I win 

(which I won't because the best thing I've ever won was a plastic bag), 

I'd like 'Shh'."
 

Well, Congratulations!

:)

Thank you everybody for participating!

Inspiration Files 8... Soisses

 

 

all pictures © 2009, 2010 Soisses - das Leben

This is the gorgeous home of Daniela from the very lovely blog So 'isses. I just love her collection of colorful letters and chairs... (I'm a bit jealous, I want it all!) I also love how she displays her own artwork (that yellow-blue bird painting and the portrait, for example). And look at that crayon mobile! (Ingenious!) And that Christmas tree! (Brilliant!) And that rug! I'm smitten (and have been, for a while).

Thank you, Daniela, for letting me use these pictures on my blog!

.. blog ..
.. flickr..

PS. I'm afraid this week will be busy, so I won't be around much.
PPS. There is still time to enter the giveaway.

Happy week!
:)

Monster Crown

Not an ordinary princess...

Happy Weekend! (We are going kite flying... what are you doing today?)

PS.
Talking of  crowns.
... and princesses.
We'll need some clouds, too.
... and bow ties, of course.
Don't forget the giveaway.

Oh, and I really want to tell you something. I will (when I have time.)

Giveaway: Grain & Silk

Hello everybody. :) I hope you are well! Thank you all for your comments, for reading (even in silence), you all rock! And because you do, I have a little something special for you today!

... Swimming in the warm ocean... 

... flying high above the clouds... 

... a snow-white dove bringing peace... 

... absolute freedom...

Sound good? Yes, I thought so, too.

That's why I am very excited to host a giveaway by the lovely, gorgeous, and brilliant photographer,  

Katarina Krizanovicova, to celebrate the opening of her new etsy shop:  

Grain&Silk - Short Stories.

I could write paragraph upon paragraph about how much I love her photography. 

Her photographs are human, they are beautiful, they are dreamlike, ethereal, feminine; 

they are like a steaming cup of tea on a cold day or a cold breath of air on a hot summer day... 

I have a few of her prints at my home, and every time I look at them they bring me happiness 

(and a feeling of peace).

If you think I'm exaggerating, look at this: 

(I think this photo speaks for itself:)

And guess what? She is giving one print away for free, to one of you!

(I think that's awfully nice.)

For a chance to win one print of your choice, 

all you need to do is go to her shop and then leave a comment on this post, 

telling me which print you'd like to win. 

Anybody from anywhere in the world can participate, 

just make sure you leave some sort of a name or initial, so I can identify you! :)

You have time to enter until Wednesday, October 13th, 12:00 pm (EEST). 

The winner will be drawn randomly by me and announced on Thursday, October 14th 

(so be sure to check back).

[Please note that you have to leave a comment on this post to qualify.]

Edit: At no point will you have to give out your personal details, like name and address, to me.
The winner will e-mail her info directly to Katarina.

Good luck everyone!

:)

Ihr Lieben, ich danke Euch für Eure Kommentare, Eure Hallos, Eure Worte. 

Sorry, dass ich nicht öfters auf deutsch schreibe (aber ich versuch's).

Weil ich Euch so toll finde, habe ich heute auch etwas ganz Besonderes für Euch:

Ein Giveaway von einer genialen Fotografin aus der Slovakei, in deren Werk ich verliebt bin.

Ihre Fotos sind menschlich, himmlisch, feminin. Traumähnlich. 

Wie ein heisser Tee an kalten Tagen, oder eine kühle Briese in der heissen Sommerluft.

(Wenn Ihr jetzt denkt ich übertreibe, dann schaut sie Euch doch an, die Bilder!)

Sie heisst Katarina Krizanovicova und sie hat einen neuen Etsy shop aufgemacht: 

Grain & Silk - Short Stories.

Und um diesen zu feiern, will Sie eins Ihrer Fotos an Euch verschenken!

(Nett, oder?)

Um ein Foto Eurer Wahl zu gewinnen braucht ihr nur in ihrem neuen Shop vorbeischauen, 

und mir in einem Kommentar unter diesem Post sagen, 

welches Ihrer Fotos Ihr gerne gewinnen würdet.

Dazu habt Ihr bis Mittwoch, den 13. Oktober, 12:00 mittags (EEST), Zeit.

Der Gewinner wird ausgelost und dann am Donnerstag (den 14.) bekanntgegeben.

Alle mitmachen und viel Glück!

.. Katarina's website ..

.. Katarina's blog ..

.. Grain & Silk - Short Stories (Shop) ..

All pictures: © Katarina Krizanovicov.

The giveaway is now closed. Thank you all for participating!

Origami Mobile How-to (Sort Of)

Fold origami birds (instructions.) Puncture holes into their tops.
Push wire (I used 0.8 mm) through hole.
Cut wire at desired length (about 50cm in my case, with one bird attached at each end).
Play with wire (fun!).
Figure out how to knot the wires together at the top (hint: crafting pliers help!).
Try really hard to shape the wire into something curvy and beautiful. 
Give up after 5 minutes and decide that "kind of funky" works just great for you!

:)

PS.
A bucket chandelier.
Heritage in a box.
DIY coffee table.
Got a leftover glove?
... Can you find my picture among all of these?

Celebrating Imperfection

I bite my nails. I go to bed too late (although I know better). I eat too much candy, and I'm messy. I forget where I put my house keys, or my cell phone, or my wallet, on a daily base. I haven't given any birthday gifts this year (although I do have them, in a box somewhere). I can't sing well or play an instrument. In fact, I don't know how to do anything very well. I haven't exercised in ages. I'm always out of cash. If I could, I'd wear sweatpants all day, every day.

But I love to laugh, and I laugh often and loud. I jump and skip and run with my three-year old. I sing in the shower. I carry my baby even when my back aches. I cuddle with my children, constantly. I love my husband. My mom is my best friend. I enjoy life. I am me. I'm alive. I'm too alive to be perfect.

Join me in Brené Brown's protest against perfectionism. (via Susannah Conway).

"Simplicity...

... is the ultimate sophistication." (Leonardo da Vinci)

Hi, how was your weekend? Mine was wonderful. Quiet, peaceful. Uplifting. I listened to messages about the meaning of life (sometimes it's really good to be reminded again). I especially enjoyed this one.

We crafted. We took walks. We played board games. We painted a wall. We cooked and baked together. We enjoyed each other. I visited a cute little newborn (they are so, so tiny, how have I already forgotten!).

It was good to slow things down, to not have to do anything but be still in the moment.

(This is Mr. Mouskewitz, a Dog-Cat-Mouse-Man who likes to eat dried cranberries. More pretty leaf animals here).

Happy Monday!

Lady-like

Fé for Lego Fashion. :D

... and this I found on the table this morning, made by husband and the Miss. For me. How sweet! :)

Have a sunny, bright, yellow weekend (and happy October)!