Rocky Mountains // Jasper Nationalpark

Only after staying 2 nights in Vancouver, we decided to go to the Rocky Mountains right away and booked a Greyhound Bus from Vancouver to Jasper, Alberta, where our wildlife trip should start. Another friend from my hometown, who has been in Canada for 3 months already, spontanuously decided to join us. 

After a 12hr bus ride, the three of us were pretty tired, but still motivated to do our very first hike from Jasper to the Valley of Five Lakes.. 

This hike was quite challenging because we ended up taking detours due to lack of signs and I have to say that each of us had 36 pounds + on our back. But this view of one of the Five Lakes was pretty rewarding after half a day of hiking and backpacking.

One of the Five Lakes

When we arrived at a parking lot, we tried to hitchhike to the next sightseeing... And only half an hour later, we were sitting with a German girl in her van; I was really grateful since this was my first time hitchhiking and many tourists passed us.. she took us to the Athabasca Falls and to the next Campground at the Icefield Center.

Athabasca Falls

Athabasca Glacier at Columbia Icefield Center

Although that campground was already full (we got there around 6pm), a guard let us pitch our tent between 3 spots, which was really nice of her and I was just happy about the fact that we could take a rest then. The next day, we got up early to walk up to the Athabasca Glacier. It was pretty cold and rainy at first, but turned out pretty good later.

I think that the actual Glacier isn't as pretty because it's summer right now, but I just love the landscape and the variety Canada has to offer. And oh, the picture underneath, I think my shoes are actually matching the trail, don't they? :) But you know what? Those were NO good hiking shoes.. which I had to learn the next day. We were just going to hike up the Wilcox Pass until I sprained my ankle.. and spent the rest of the day in the car, cooling it and taking pain killers. Anyways, I was able to walk again and nothing could stop me to do another crazy hike. 

About the other pictures: I was just so amazed about the plants growing up here although it's super cold at the glacier and there was a bit of blue ice left, can you see it? :)

MBFW Berlin Day 1: Ethical Fashionshow // Rebekka Ruétz

Yeah, I know, I am two weeks late with all my Berlin fashion week posts, but at this moment, I am superbusy with travel plans and soon I'll let you guys know where I'm actually going! But this week, it's all about the Berlin Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015. On the very first day, I made it to the Opening Speech of the Ethical Fashionshow held by actress and founder of Miwai, an eco-fashion store, Inez Bjørg David. She said that Eco-Fashion is indeed becoming Mainstream, so we are on the right path, and also this and the Green Showroom is growing and growing, together we can do this!

Many interesting labels presented their new collections, but also new ways and materials in how to make sustainable fashion. I always love to hear about new eco labels which are not only sustainable, organic, fairtrade and vegan, but fashionable and chic at the same time. Just a few days right before I went to Fashion Week, I was looking for eco skate shoes, and when I typed in: biodegradable shoes.. google recommended us the brand Oat from the Netherlands. 

So here, I met these shoes again: Oats-Shoes that bloom. You really need to check their webpage because they make pretty nice sneakers for the summe. And are they really biodegradable? I did not try it, but what the founders said was that you can bury the shoe in the ground and when time flies by, wildflowers are growing out of the shoe. The seeds are actually hidden in the tongue of the sneaker which is a neat idea, as well.

Strolling through the fair, we noticed OMYBAG and their elegant leather bags. The owner and head designer Paulien Wesselink told us that the leather is coming from India and that they are working closely with a fairtrade organization to ensure the producers a safe, fair and humane working environment. I was thrilled about the young women behind the brand, the female power and the fact that you can actually have a leather bag without guilt, 

it's not only a leather bag, but one with a story behind it. 

Rewrap is the 3rd Dutch Label I've wanted to show you from the Ethical Fashionshow, yes, there were many dutch eco-labels, I guess, they are a bit ahead of us Germans, but anyways. These guys are working after the Cradle-to-Cradle principle, which means that there is always a cycle of ressources and no waste at all. Learn more about this here. Rewrap is making cases for laptops, tablets and phones, but will bring a new product to the market: a bag made out of trees and coconuts. I really liked the shape of the bag but also the unique and timeless design.

Right after the Ethical Fashionfair, I went to the Rebekka Ruétz Spring/Summer 2015 Show and was positively surprised about the new location of the MBFW Tent. This summer every runway show was presented in an ice stadium in Berlin Wedding, therefore it was very close from where I lived.

The collection was mostly dominated by fresh springy colors like mint, yellow, rose and white. And as you can see, the designer is mixing and matching different materials to create a sophisticated but yet feminine look. The fake leather belts are bringing some clear contrasts to the more playful wide pieces. I loved the very first look with the grey-white suit and the several blouses made out of silk. But what about you? Which one do you like best?

P.S.: I apologize for the blurry pictures, but I hope you'll get the looks ;-)

Food Friday: Green Lunch Inspiration

Ahhhh!!! My mum found arugula in our garden :) :) Why this makes me so happy? Because I love ♥ arugula and the best thing about it is: we did not actually plant it :) It just grows.. everywhere! So, I did not intend to post anything today because I really really need to study, but I thought: well, now I made this beautiful salad, at least I want to post the pictures ;-)

There's no real recipe behind this, but just a little Lunch Inspiration for you guys :) I've mixed the arugula with regular lettuce, dandelion leaves, pieces of cucumber, tomatoe, red pepper, different seeds'n nuts like pumpkin, linseed, sunflower, pine nuts, almonds and sprinkled Goji Berries on top :) You can have some Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar with it. I often have salads for lunch, so this is what I just made myself for today :) I am really excited about the fact that the arugula is growing from nowhere in our garden, so that I wanted to share this with you :)

Even very small things can make you happy, 

just open your eyes and go explore :)

Thank you Nature ♥

And if you're also an avocado lover like me, 

spread it on some homemade bread and 

you'll have the perfect lunch :)

Happy Weekend and take care ♥

 

Food Friday: Green Juice #1

Hey guys! Sorry for my lack of posts this week, but I still have a Food Friday in store for you :) I've been juicing a lot lately since the weather is becoming warmer and a variety of delicious fruits are available on the market. I guess, there will be a Juice-Series because another one is already shot as well :) Read about the benefits of green juices in a previous post here. Today, I am showing you a more vegetable-loaden juice which is perfect for anyone who needs to get back on track or maybe is suffering from a cold right now, is the weather changing every hour at your time zone, too? Crazy, right? Anyways, here comes the Spinach-Fennel-Ginger-Apple Juice :)

Ingredients for 1-2 glasses:

Spinach as a base

1/2 Fennel

1/2 green Apple for sweetness

slices of ginger

water as much as you like :)

1. Cut the vegetables and fruits into small chunks or slices.

2. Mix everything up with your blender :)

3. That's it! Add some Superfoods like Goji Berries, Chia Seeds or Almonds on top to garnish or blend in with your juice.

If you find it too hearty, add more apple as you like. 

I chose Fennel and Ginger because they are amazing for your throat, you know fennel tea? Yeah, but the raw vegetable is even better! And I also eat tons of ginger whenever I don't feel well, so pack this in your juice, lunch and dinner and you will feel better afterwards :)

Have this juice to kick off your day and get well soon :)

Happy Weekend ♥