Street Art New York: All you have to do is to LOOK

I haven't bought any books since Paulo Coelhos, but for my farewell from my internship at LesMads, my boss gave me this: STREET ART NEW YORK by Jaime Rojo and Steven P. Harrington (Prestel).

Opening up this book, I've had to smell the photopaper and also skim through all pages. These great pictures of street art and graffiti in New York made me want to buy a ticket and immediately fly there. Even a friend sent me a letter, telling me that she just moved into the city and is looking for a roommate. Poor me, I'm not done with school yet, but hopefully I'll be back there soon :)

Back to the book: It's super inspiring and looking at the great works I was like: Yes, I love producing stuff and being creative! Be it spraying, drawing, writing, cooking, acting, dancing.. anything!!! What can be better than seeing your stuff on a wall? Or 3D in your hands, on the plate, in your sketchbook, anywhere! 

In the introduction Carolina A. Miranda says: 

Vandalism is often equated with the destruction of architecture. I'd like to argue that it can give it new life.

Jaime Rojo and Steven P.Harrington came across many unique images living in the city and have been collecting their discoveries through film and digital photographs for more than ten years now. With this book they are sharing a selection of great work from different artists-well known and not. 

Street Art New York is a record of these discoveries, the little moments when a piece of art peers at you from a wall and says Look. It's an ongoing dialogue between an observer and the street.

Street Art in New York, another reason to love this wonderful city. The energy and the creativity of all these artists are surrounding you wherever you look. 

New In: Kenzo Scarf and Object Jumper

These days I was looking for a plaid scarf and found the one from Zara very appealing. The ongoing grunge and punk trend this autumn is really cool but I wouldn't buy a whole new wardrobe full of plaid stuff. I didn't find the perfect plaid shirt, so I've decided to go for a scarf. Zara it was... until.. I saw the very first girl sitting in one of my classes wearing the particular one. Okay, hold on: Do I care? Haha, one would say: No, why would you care if someone wears the same clothes?

Doesn't matter anymore because I have found the perfect one for ME :) Yes!!! Where? Last wednesday I happen to go into two vintage stores close to Uni for the first time and one of my friends found it: a Kenzo plaid scarf. Red, green, white, that's all I've wanted in the scarf I was looking for. Not too punky, but still edgy and perfectly fine with christmas time :)

Additionally I've found the perfect comfy sweater I was looking for years, no ages now!!! An Object Sweater made its way into my wardrobe. Great length and superduper fluffy, love the relaxed oversized fit :)

Yes, this was a super shopping spree and I can warmly recommend you: Check out Vintage Stores and Flea Markets every now and then, you will find lovely and unique clothes. Another reason to support 2nd-hand, vintage and flea markets is that it has a better impact on our environment and I am way happier to find pieces 2nd hand rather than new. It also adds up to my process of 'I want less. Here and Now.'.

Have fun shopping ;-)

Mindful Monday: Stay Inspired!

How do I feel right now?

In the middle of Unistress and many more activities I feel tired, overwhelmed and I'm longing for something new. Something fresh, something inspiring, something motivational. It might be the case that I didn't skate for two weeks and now I feel sluggish. This cold weather doesn't help either. 

So what? The other day I've talked to a dear friend from the U.S. and she sent me this from tinybuddha.com. It's a list of 50 ways to open your world to new possibilities by Lori Deschene and I've picked those of which I think are the most striking in my situation right now. There are five categories and I'll explain why I want to get into these new ways of thinking and acting.

GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD

3. Have a vision session. Write in a journal, create a video, sketch—anything that lets you explore what excites you most.

Yes, I have a journal, but didn't write anything in since two or more weeks and I feel like whenever you do not write down or sketch down your thoughts and ideas, they will fade. Thoughts won't become real if you cannot visualize them, so write them down and make your dream happen :)

 

 6. Commit to something you always say you’ll do but always fail to start—and then take the first step right now.

I want to eat less meat. I had my ups and downs with this aspect and couldn't erase it from my plate for good, but maybe I'll manage to reduce it more and more. So far, it was easy to not have it when I wasn't thinking about eating less. Now, that I really try to have less, it's like I'm not sticking to it. No forcing allowed here, I should definitely free my mind of that thought and it will come naturally.

GET OUT IN THE OPEN

 18. Start something you always assumed it was too late to do. Take gymnastics, learn guitar. If it moves you, get started today. It’s never too late.

Yes, I totally agree with this phrase: It's never too late. Before starting with skating I was all about: 'Oh my, I cannot skate, haven't done it before and I feel super insecure.' I really felt like I was too old to start something new. Like it's always better to start with a hobby when you're a kid since you don't care about the risks, dangers or whatsoever. NO WAY! You're really never to old and honestly, who cares your age?? As long as you're having fun and love it, DO IT! Go for it, start today :) If I haven't started I wouldn't be able to feel the freedom I'm having when I'm with my longboard, so go ahead and live! 

GET IN WITH PEOPLE

23. Compliment a stranger on something you notice. Everyone likes to be appreciated, and it’s a great way to start a conversation.

I want to try this out right now! Haha, cannot wait for all the people who will be like: 'What? Why is this girl saying this?' :) 

Oh, just remembered, I'd compliment strange people because of their style or their shoes etc. and they'd be like: 'Hey thanks' (e.g. Fashion Week Situation) or 'Okay...bye' (at random places), hahaha =D I assume that they thought something like 'Weirdo!'.

28. Bring enough lunch to share with other people at work—particularly childhood favorites. Nothing bonds like shared nostalgia.

I always bring a lot of food!!! I just love sharing my fruits and vegetables with others. Bring some cut up veggies to school or work and share with your neighbor :) They'll definitely have a smile for you!

GET INTO YOUR WORK

32. Speak up in a meeting, even if you don’t feel confident or you’re afraid you’ll be embarrassed. Your ideas can only take shape if you put them out there.

Oh, that's a real challenge for me since I'm not the one who'd raise the hand to say something. I'd rather observe and think about it. Maybe, this is the time that I have to speak up for my ideas and opinion about stuff.

GET CAUGHT IN THE WEB

47. If you blog, find other bloggers in your niche and email them to introduce yourself. 

Oh my, if I had time, I would do all this stuff =D Well, but sooner or later I really want to do this! No procrastination anymore, I've wanted to focus on me and my blog more, so get it on!

The list is long and there are another 40+ways to open up for new possibilities, but it's definitely worth reading if you're lacking some inspiration and motivation as well! Now, I know what to do and I love challenging myself! What are your favorite ways or things you'd like to challenge yourself?

Here's another tip, don't overwork yourself and pick one thing out and then try it instead of setting yourself too many goals at once, just saying ;-)

Food Friday: Green Cabbage x Ginger Soup

Oh my! I think Autumn time means Soup time for me as well since I'm all into it. Throw at me some vegetables, I'll make soup out of it with my super blender :) This time it isn't pumpkin but the bit smaller brother Cabbage, try this out and tell me what you think!

Ingredients (1 portion):

Coconut oil, ginger, one onion, half a turnip cabbage, vegetable broth, green herbs like cilantro and parsley.

Cut up all the vegetables into small pieces or squares, heat up three teaspoons of coconut oil (love it!!!) with the onion. Add the cabbage and the ginger, let it steam for like 5 minutes and then add two cups of vegetable broth. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes until the turnip is smooth. Pull out your blender and mix it all up until your desired consistency is reached. Add salt and pepper how you'd prefer it and garnish the soup with herbs, ginger, almonds and thin turnip slices.

Yes, again coconut oil, I just love the taste of it in any food and I have to say that I didn't even season my soup since the herbs and the broth were altogether salty enough. Loved it and will definitely try out more green soups :) What about broccoli or zucchini? Have fun cooking and bon appétit!

Karlsruhe Longboard Open 2013

A Longboard made out of wine barrel :)

Hey guys!

Here are some impressions from the last big Longboard event close to my home. This one was held in Karlsruhe by the wonderful Daniela Schukalla, sponsored by Concrete Wave Cologne, and here lovely friends and team. I was happy to be there since it's always a very nice atmosphere at those contests and happenings, good vibes are on and you'll meet crazy skate fellows :) I didn't dare myself to take a ride since I wasn't sure if I make the curve but will definitely try out next year, it looked like so much fun! AND: I will bring a helmet and some protection gears for sure. The season is almost over, but I try to use the last sunshines to skate a bit every week. Put some hoodies on and move! Let's get out guys!! :)