Thursday, February 12, 2009

Valentin und mögliche Folgen

Tja, bald ist es wieder soweit.
Seit Monaten bereitet sich die Industrie auf diesen Tag vor, wie sonst nur zu Weihnachten. Wo man geht und steht: Herzen und Blumen, verliebte Paare auf Plakaten, im Fernsehen, auf Internet-Werbebannern... jeder möchte ein Stückchen abhaben von Valentinstagskuchen.


Valentinstag, Tag der Liebenden.

Die ein oder andere Versöhnung wird initiiert, Unmengen Blumen und Geschenke verteilt, Liebeserklärungen gemacht. Manch einer sogar krönt an diesem Tag seine Liebe mit der schönsten Liebeserklärung, die ich mir vorstellen kann: dem Heiratsantrag (an dieser Stelle muss ich jetzt einem ganz besonderen Menschen sagen, dass er das nicht zu persönlich nehmen soll...von wegen Druckausgleich und so :-) ).
Und bald nach dem obligatorischen JA-Wort in ganz privater Atmosphäre wird dann oft bereits mit den Vorbereitungen für ein möglichst unvergessliches Fest losgelegt. Ein Hochzeitstermin muss her, das passende Kleid, Blumen, Ringe und ...ach ja.... ein toller Look für den großen Tag. Dann klingelt sich oft bei mir das Telefon heiß, packe ich meinen großen Beautykoffer, um aus einer verliebten Frau eine Traumbraut zu machen, was immer wieder eine neue und schöne Herausforderung in meinem Beruf ist.

Wichtig für alle, die sich für ein Styling vom Profi entscheiden: bucht Euren Hairstylisten/Visagisten rechtzeitig und vereinbart auf alle Fälle einen Probetermin. Der sollte ca. 2-4 Wochen vor der Hochzeit stattfinden und ist ganz wichtig, um sich kennenzulernen und in aller Ruhe auszuprobieren, welche Frisur am besten zu Euch und zum Outfit passt. Infomiert Euch telefonisch über den Menschen hinter dem Angebot und prüft neben der Preisgestaltung auch, ob die "Chemie" zwischen Euch stimmt. Ihr müsst Eurem Stylisten blind vertrauen können und ein gutes Gefühl haben, wenn Ihr ihn verpflichtet, denn am Tag der Hochzeit bleibt für Experimente keine Zeit mehr.

Reichlich Information bietet Euch eine neue Plattform im Internet, die sich Miss Solution nennt. Neben vielen Bildergalerien findet Ihr hier auch noch jede Menge Rat für die richtige Planung, ein bisschen Hochzeits-Promi-Klatsch und seit allerneuestem im Miss-Solution-Branchenbuch auch jede Menge Anbieter aus ganz Deutschland, die Eure Hochzeit zum Traumfest machen. Schaut vorbei und lasst Euch inspirieren!


mariasimoneidejhs

Monday, February 9, 2009

All about hearts

You probably can't help but see hearts everywhere this week. And I will show you some more today.



hangs along the doorway from our kitchen to the dining room


for sale at etsy


seen in one of the very cute boutiques in the Karolinenviertel in Hamburg, Germany



seen at die Wohngeschwister in Hamburg, Germany


spied in Sonoma, California



found on our bed the night of our wedding in 2001


Have a happy week and plan something nice for Valentine's. If you don't have a Valentine on hand what about a movie night with your best friends? I am still trying to find a babysitter so that my "hubby" and I can go out on Saturday. 
Keep your fingers crossed for me.


mariasimoneidejhs

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Nature


Here in sunny California everything is starting to bloom. The magnolias and paperwhites have been blooming for a while. Now they are joined by fruit trees, tulips, narcissus, ranunculus...



It is good to see that nature is just following its given path - not wondering and worrying about the world falling apart around. That is something to hold on to in times of crisis like we are facing right now.

I just learned that one of my favorite companies "Shabby Chic" by Rachel Ashwell has filed chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last week. Read Rachel Ashwell's blog - it is so sad! I hope she will pick up the pieces and get on.


mariasimoneidejhs

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Clever hat

I just browsed around on etsy and saw this incredible clever hat by knittles. Isn't this just great? Scarf and hat in one piece. I wish we could use warm hats like that more often here in California. Check out knittle's etsy store for more pretty knitted goods.

Awesome Earflap Kids VersionAwesome Earflap Kids VersionAwesome Earflap Kids Version

mariasimoneidejhs

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Fortune cookies and more

During the last couple of days I have been very busy - sewing like a mad woman. Here you see some of the things I made.

This is a fabric fortune cookie. I saw this very cute idea on the German blog Frau Liebe  and shamelessly copied it. In her blog Frau Liebe explains step by step in pictures how to make these beauties - in case you want to copy this idea as well. I think they make a perfect little (Valentine's) gift. You can write a gift certificate, a lovely message or a nice quote on a piece of paper and pop it in the cooky. Done!


Here is my whole collection.

Then - tada - I made this bag. I will sell it on etsy (although my daughter Luzie wants me to keep it). I love this fabric. I bought it a while ago  at Hancock Fabrics. It's called "Pacesetter" and was designed by Laurie Smith, a designer at TLC's "Trading Spaces". Originally it was meant to go on the seat cushion of our kitchen bench. Then we moved before I got to make it and now there is no kitchen bench anymore. 

And since I bought a lot of fabric I also made this little dress. It's a size 12 ms. It would make a perfect spring dress for a baby girl taking her first steps on the front lawn.

Oh and I won!!! I am one of three lucky winners to win a set of postcards that Jill Bent gave away for her 1 year blog "36 Shea" anniversary. 

Thanks Jill, I love the postcards! 

Check out her blog and her etsy store. Her taste and style is right up my alley.  


Have a nice rest of the week.




mariasimoneidejhs

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Check out "Chez Larsson"

I want to write to you about this blog I have been following for a while now. The author is Benita Larsson, a swedish visual merchandiser. 



She impresses and scares me at the same time. Every corner of her house seems to be organized and beautiful. Just perfect!

090


I wish I had the discipline and time to have at least half of her order in my house - in the visible space. I am not even starting with closets, drawers or functional rooms like a laundry or storage room.

144 a

She has many blog entries about organizing but also decorating, crafts and much more. Just have yourself a nice cup of tea or coffee and enjoy!


mariasimoneidejhs

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

At last!

Finally we have a new president. Obama completed Inauguration Day and his first day in the office. I was really touched yesterday and couldn't help but cry a little bit when he came down the stairs before his oath.
I kept on wondering what might go through Michelle's head. I would be so scared about my husband's safety and the safety of these adorable girls - I am. 
They are such a great couple. It was so cute how they danced at the "Neighborhood Ball" while Beyonce sang Etta James' great song "At Last". *sigh*
I downloaded the song from iTunes today and have been singing it all day today. Let's hope for change and hope for a long life of President Obama and his family.

Here in California change has come to the weather at last. Much needed rain is drumming on my roof while I sit here and write these lines. We had an early summer these past 10 days and went to the beach a couple of times while it lasted.


My girls walking along the beach South of Ano Nuevo State Park. The big thing lying on the beach behind them is a sleeping elephant seal.



Beach life in Princeton-by-the-Sea/ Half Moon Bay.





mariasimoneidejhs