Mindful Monday: Winter Blues x Move!

I have to admit that I haven't worked out since weeks now, I think it's been two to three weeks. Why? Well, a big lack of motivation as well as uni-stress and being sick for a whole week weren't helpful. And how come that I've did it today? 

I've wanted to do something for my soul, being alive again since I had a 'depressive' week before. Being thoughtful is okay, but DON'T SUCK IN THE NEGATIVITY. MOVE AND TAKE ACTION. Knowing this didn't really help. I've told myself on and on: I'll do it tomorrow, but haven't done anything. So, I was struggling with motivation until I sat down and asked myself, what do you like about jogging? I love the feeling afterwards, having accomplished something, being able to push harder and just move on. I've pulled out my running gear, left it next to my bed, prepared for the next day and it helped me to remind me of 'Oh, I've wanted to go for a jog today, no excuses'.

During the jog I kept talking to myself: You can do it, just move and move and don't look back. Don't have judges, someone might pass you, but you don't know their background, they might be a marathon runner and you've just started. No judges, focus on yourself. Push yourself through it, you already know how it feels to finish. Speed doesn't matter, consistency is key!

And these words kept me running and moving on. I just LOVE what exercising does with me, those words wouldn't have such a big effect if I weren't exercising. Starting to jog back in the U.S. gave me so many life-lessons :) So, this wasn't it! I want to keep on doing, you can always start, but you have to keep on doing every single day. Do what you love and love what you do, more of it everyday! What about you? Do you exercise in Winter?

Tip: A friend just said: It's never too cold, there are just bad clothes. No excuses. So get yourself prepared for the winter months and buy some high quality winter gear!

New In: Nixon Beanie x H&M Blazer & Skirt

Yes, yes, I know, no more shopping for me!!! :D Well, my birthday is coming up and I think this will be my birthday-outfit, haha, just kidding ;-) I'm not going to wear a Beanie on my birthday, but hey! Who knows, thinking about this outfit right now... wouldn't look that bad, no? :D

Anyways, yesterday, I've just joined a dear friend of mine, who was totally in shopping mood and was looking for a Beanie, as well. So, we were ONLY looking for beanies to keep our heads and ears warm. How did it turn out? Of course, after hitting a few Skaterstores, Zara, H&M and the like, we were 'kind of' successful: I've found the perfect Beanie for me and actually more. She came home with a bunch of bags full of skirts, jackets and blouses.. but no beanie :(

So, I really fell in love with the grey-blue patterned one from Nixon and cannot put it off anymore :) Too cozy! (Similar one here). The black blazer with fake-leather arms from H&M (buy here) was love at the second sight since I didn't want to shop there anymore.. well, yeah, I think if you really love a piece, be conscious about it and buy it if you're not getting yourself into debts (advice from Carla ;-) ) Last but not least, I bought a long grey-black skirt with a cut at the side, really like that edgy style :) Yes, I know this shopping trip wasn't planned, but I'm super happy and really want to transform my closet into a closet full of pieces, I honestly love and could wear everyday.

What about you guys, do you already have your closet full of clothes you would actually wear everyday? Or are you still changing it since trends come and go? :)       

Food Friday: Almond Biscottis ♥

I remember making these the first time for Mother's Day in 2012. At that time, I was in the U.S., living at a hostfamily and the kids and I wanted to surprise my hostmum with some delicious cookies :) So we've made Almond Cantuccinis since these are not too sugary and sweet. 

The other day I was also lusting for these cookies and additionally was really into Italian food :) I've looked up this recipe in my U.S. diary and here it is:

 Oh and be careful, these are SUPERDUPER addictive!!!

Ingredients:

- 250g whole spelt flour

- one teaspoon baking powder

- 150g to 180g raw cane sugar (more/less, if preferred)

- two teaspoons of vanilla sugar

- one pinch salt

- 25g butter

- two to three eggs (depends on consistency)

- 200g almonds, chopped.

1. Prepare everything and mix them altogether except of the almonds, knead with your hands and try to get a nice dough, shouldn't be wet, more sticky. 

2. Add the almonds, shape the dough into a ball and leave it in the refridgerator for about 30minutes. 

3. Preheat the oven at about 200°C (390°F), prepare the baking sheet on the tray and lay out the dough into two wide (not in length, but in width) rolls. Bake for about 10 two 12 minutes.

4. Take out the rolls and cut them into 1cm slices, like cutting bread. Put them back in the oven and bake for another 10 minutes until they are golden-brown. 

You're all set :) Enjoy these cookies with a cup of coffee, tea or just plain. It's super delicious and I can warmly recommend it to you! Need to make more now, they are gone already =D

Tip for all Chocolate-Lovers: Heat up some dark chocolate, spread it on one half of the cookies and let it dry (Picture 1) :) You will love it, I promise! 

Pattern Mixture x Christmas is coming

 

Yes, this Kenzo scarf just always reminds me of Christmas, but it fits perfectly to this season :) The dark green, the red, that's just christmas for me :) Lately, I've been wearing some 'old' clothes more and more, which I really like because you become more creative and try to mix and match pieces or in this case: patterns. 

I bought this grey-leo Monki sweater last winter in Berlin and haven't worn it since.. Why? Well, it fuzzes (dt:fusseln =D) a lot, like A LOT, I really cannot wear black clothes with it, but this time I didn't care and whenever you're in a hurry, you'll become even more creative. So, I had to prepare myself for Uni and threw on this sweater, the Kenzo scarf, matched it with my favorite dark olive green UniqLo pants and my go-tos the black Chelsea Boots from Goertz. Have some golden jewelry with it and you're good to go :) 

Bracelets: & Other Stories-my dad's gift-Vintage Timex Watch.

Winter Essentials 2013 #1: The Perfect Beanie

It's really getting cold in here and I'm trying to stay warm: layering is key! But what about my head? Well, I was never a Beanie-or Hat-type, but sooner or later you just have to give in and get at least SOMETHING for your head =D

Before, I was always of the opinion that the shape of my head is too small for a beanie, additionally I don't have voluminous hair to fill the beanie with. Last winter I could get away without anything on my head, this year and especially now, I'm looking for a nice beanie to keep my ears warm. For now, this is my selection: a burgundy shorter version from Topshop (1) which still fits very well into the autumn's punk-trend. The greenish one from & Other Stories (2) would match with my Kenzo scarf and I would totally go to the christmas market with Santa =D No honestly, I already had that beanie on and it looked well, but maybe too matchy though. 

The two-coloured one is from Roxy (3) and I think, I like this one the best since it is also not too long and have a more sporty look. The Zara (4) is the most elegant one I guess, but I'm still trying to stay away from black clothes :) And the New Era Beanie (5) is the longest version, but still casual. A friend of mine just bought one of those and I was thinking of getting that, it had a really nice fit. Anyways, all this Online Shopping doesn't help, I need to go there and try them on :) What about you guys? Are you into beanies, if yes, what's your favorite? Which one should I go for?