Dealing with Transition in Your Life?

My expat friend Ariana has had a hefty share of disappointments and setbacks in her adult life. She and her husband dared to try a different way of life for their family of three--a new job and a move from Portland, Oregon, to Germany--only to lose that job (and new lifestyle) in a matter of months. They spent time back in the States, sleeping on people's floors and couches and drawing unemployment, before finding a new job and making another big move, this time to England. The family settled into life there nicely, while also dealing with some unexpected disappointments--and even now, there is the potential for another move.

I'm so glad Ariana decided to write a book of encouragement and ideas for those of us going through our own times of transition. Pruned: Blossoming Through Life's Difficult Seasons is about what Ariana and her family have experienced and what they have learned. It's about how they have managed to turn feelings of fear and uncertainty into an outlook of adventure and a sense of hope and positivity. One of my favorite quotations comes from the book's Introduction:

"I hope to encourage others to embrace an 'abundance mentality,' to see possibility in the midst of loss, and to live more intentionally as a result...When we are forced to stop living on autopilot, we get to make real decisions, give up things we have outgrown, and introduce positive new elements into our lives."

This book is a quick and easy read, but it packs a real punch. In ten chapters, Ariana outlines the different issues we deal with during different times and then gives the reader ways to frame these issues in positive ways. Topics include Finding Perspective, Facing Fears, Transforming Worry, and Avoiding Common Thought Traps. Each brief chapter contains a number of thoughts broken down in an easily-readable way and ends with a list of Questions for Reflection.

I like that Ariana reminds us that there is enough good in the world for all of us--we needn't feel bad when things are going well for us, and we shouldn't always expect that things will go poorly or stay bad in our lives during the more trying times. I also like that she makes concrete, workable suggestions, and her tone is soothing and comforting but also somehow invigorating enough to inspire change.

My family has gone through some rather uncomfortable changes, especially during the first couple of years after we moved from Japan to Germany. Ariana helped me realize that it was okay for us to feel what we felt, though perhaps we could have dealt with our emotions and the reality of our circumstances in some more productive ways.

This ebook is a meaningful resource for anyone dealing with transition, whether large or small. I recommend it without reservation, regardless of your religious and/or philosophical beliefs. I believe you'll turn to it repeatedly for reassurance and motivation as you navigate life's changes.
You can buy Pruned here. And if you haven't read my guest post for Ariana on And Here We Are, I hope you will!

Global Style Love

If you appreciate and embrace global style as much as I do, I think you'll enjoy the first online magazine of Once Upon a Tea Time, a global interiors blog I've been following for several years. Due to great feedback so far, the magazine, which was designed to be a one-off, will become a monthly. Yay! 

Have a look and let me know what you think. If you love it, you may want to add Gypsy, the latest book by Sibella Court to your wish list. I'm such a fan of her styling, and I own two of her previous books.

Have a great day! And seriously, German Christmas markets are indeed on the agenda here!

Gypset Style

I've been meaning to blog about this book for ages. I bought the book last year, but somehow I just discovered the blog. Here's what author Julia Chaplin has to say about Gypset Style:

My general approach to life and my writing is to have hi-low grand adventures. During my travels I came up with the word Gypset: (gypsy + jet-set) to describe a new type of travel, and cultural foraging at home, that redefines the optimal adventure as something with the global references and chic speed of the jet-set mixed with the alternative, anti-commercialism and nomadic wile of a gypsy.

Cool, yes? Though I may not have the financial profile (not necessary, supposedly, but...) or street-cred (Devendra Banhart! Jade Jagger!) of the true Gypsetter, I certainly appreciate the mindset and aesthetic. And I certainly don't think I'd mind hanging out for a bit with Damien Hirst and Maia Norman on their Thames-River houseboat.

Note: the book is more about a way of life than a certain "look," so don't expect lots of house photos (I would have liked more). But since it's text-heavy, if you're curious about the Gypset lifestyle, you're likely to learn a lot.

Real School

As a devoted, ardent Anglophile, I'd love to have slightly easier access to England. Yes, I know I'm comparatively close, but it's no simple thing just to hop over from Germany on a weekend--it's possible, but unlikely for several reasons, financial and otherwise. Anyway, I think it would be pretty cool to be able to attend the occasional workshop at River Cottage (even the males in my family go gaga when they watch Hugh cook).



There are also wonderful-sounding classes at brilliant Alain de Botton's The School of Life, in London. How to Spend Time Alone, Words for Life, Dinner with Virginia Wolfe? Sign me up! Of course, there are many and varied reasons for going to England; these are just two life-skills-related ones that popped into my head this afternoon, when Monica's post touching on the concept of bibliotherapy reminded me that The School of Life actually employs bibliotherapists. Could bibliotherapist just possibly be one of the coolest jobs ever?

Magazine Love: A Shot of Green

It's starting to turn chilly here now, after a few fits and starts over the past several weeks.

But just before all thoughts of color turn toward oranges, browns, reds, and yellows, let's behold the green glories of the holiday home (I think?) of Helma Bongenaar and her family, in Amsterdam. When I caught a glimpse of this wonderful house, I had to buy the August 2010 issue of Vtwonen right away. I've been meaning to share this feature here for a while.

I especially love the kitchen, of course!

It's all so vintagey-gorgeous! Hope you like it as much as I do. Now, Autumn--full speed ahead!

Modern Vintage Style

I have a new design book to love (sorry about the fuzzy photo--I'm too lazy to take another one). It's the latest offering by Emily Chalmers, the woman behind two other favorites of mine, Table Inspirations and Flea Market Style. Have I mentioned that I made a pilgrimage just over a year ago to her London shop, Caravan, only to find it closed for the winter holidays? Oh, the disappointment! 

I'm such a fan of the eccentric, hodge-podge interiors that catch her eye. Did you read that recent article about the "trend" of undecorating? To me, the lived-in creative world of Emily Chalmers exemplified this kind of style way before it had a name.

It's a look that's quirky and deeply personal. I love that Chalmers encourages us to "clash fabrics." Isn't that fantastic?

She also wants us to "bring back crochet" and "create clusters." Pile on the color and texture, and please do mix vintage items with modern ones. Yay!

all photography by Debi Treloar

The last photo? That's Nathalie Lété's bedroom! I'm so not surprised it appealed to me.

So, yeah--this is a lovely book that exceeded my expectations. Maybe you'll like it, too!

3191 Love

Are you a 3191 fan, too? I'm not sure why it took me so long to notice that Maria and Stephanie had started a little quarterly print publication. It's reminiscent of their blog and their book--and every bit as lovely as both. You know how you feel when you look at their photos--the way very simple, everyday things in life seem to attain a new but rightful level of importance? It's the same with the publication, which is not quite a zine, book, or magazine, but something delightfully (and simply) different. There are recipes, projects, stories, and--of course--photos. Somehow--again, with the simplicity--after you read it and look at the inspiring photos, you feel enriched, but not overwhelmed; you think, "Hey, I can do this! I can bake this bread, dye a scarf, and find beauty in concrete." Don't we all need to feel this way?

Trust me, each issue is a gift. I can't wait for the next one. They're all keepers.

By the way, I've been really sad all week about Japan and just haven't felt much like blogging. Thankfully, all our friends there are okay, as are other military and civilians on U.S. bases in Japan. I'll be participating in Friday's Day of Silence for bloggers. You should check it out:

Please click here to join in or to donate via Shelterbox. Arigatou gozaimasu.

Vater und Sohn

Last Saturday, our family took a day trip to Köln, over two hours away. Who knew that a 9-a.m. train would be filled to the brim with a group of near-drunk FC-Köln soccer hooligans en route to a local match? They were loud but actually fairly harmless, if a bit wobbly and smelly (puffing away in the non-smoking cars). We just kept saying, "This would SO never happen in Japan!" It was all a bit much for 9 a.m. The Girl, who somehow knew ("Called it!") that the tipsy group would break out in enthusiastic song/chant at some point, whipped out her Flip a few times to try to get some of the craziness captured on camera.

When we finally arrived and came out of the main train station to breathe fresh air right next to the beautiful Dom, it was really, really cold. We darted right back inside the large station and agreed on the pending importance of a warm heating vent and something to eat.

Sufficiently fed and warmed somewhat, we headed back outside. I'd hoped to get some good photos around the Dom area, but wouldn't you know it? The Boy's camera, which I'd brought along due to its portability, lost its charge almost immediately. The Boy was able to get this photo inside the cathedral, though.

I think it's nice, and all, but I really wanted more than one photo to document our day. I even pouted a little in the cathedral. Coffee and crepes in a nearby café muted my disappointment slightly. Then we decided to visit Museum Ludwig, thought to be one of the best collections of modern art in all of Europe. We were very, very impressed with this museum, and we stayed so long that we didn't have time to do much else before getting on a return train (Chocolate Museum, we'll see you another time!).

Anyway, the museum has a wonderful bookstore/gift shop, which I couldn't resist exploring briefly. As is often the case, my eye fell almost immediately on the delightful, if small, children's book section. It was there that I stumbled upon the little world of Vater und Sohn.

e. o. plauen's adorable 1930s wordless cartoons are about--yes, a father and son. The two of them have the sweetest little adventures at home and outdoors. I found them very endearing, so I couldn't resist a small yellow book of Vater und Sohn comics, for just over three euros.

Aren't they charming? 

We'll hopefully visit Köln again soon. Next time we go, we'll check the FC-Köln schedule...

Go Away I'm Reading

I could spend so much money at U.K.-based The Literary Gift Company. Thankfully (or not, depending on your bank account), they ship to the European Continent as well as to the U.S.

Let's Bring Back

Smart, stylish New Yorker Lesley M. M. Blume, woman-about-town and author of a handful of quirky children's books, is my new hero(ine).

Have you read her delightful compendium Let's Bring Back? If not, I'm afraid I must insist that you buy it immediately. I don't just love this book, I want to live in it! I would eat it if I could, alongside some cold berry soup and original-recipe Girl Scout Cookies. Mmmmmm....

A Perfect Vacation, or Staycation

Why hasn't anyone thought of this before?  It's quite possibly the most wonderful weekend getaway idea imaginable--at least for an idler gal like me.  Leave it to India Knight to bring me news of the The Reading Weekend, which is held regularly throughout the year in the U.K. and occasionally abroad.

I would love to go, but honestly, for those of us without the available cash or proximity to Sussex, the idea behind it can be recreated at home as a staycation, right?  Well, you won't be waited on hand and foot, unless your at-home experience includes a butler and cook, but as long as you can cook a bit or even order in, you'll be okay.  Your home may not be a famed Georgian farmhouse an hour from London, but if it's warm (at this time of year), comfy, and reflective of your personality and aesthetics, it'll definitely do.  So get ready to round up your family (perhaps, after some gentle persuasion and promise of hot chocolate and cupcakes),  and get going on the preparations:

make sure the house is reasonably clean--so you won't feel the need to go around cleaning up junk while you're on your Reading Staycation

collect the Dining Necessities: hot chocolate, tea, chai mix; other drinks for the adults, if they wish; ingredients for a delicious and easy breakfast; some frozen fun hors d'oevres-y things or something homemade that you'd frozen and forgotten about; and ingredients for another wonderful and cozy dinner

gather some warm blankets--maybe like this one from Pendleton

or one like this from Anthropologie

• a Scrabble board, for cut-throat games next to the fireplace or woodstove, mug in hand
• bath salts and candles for any Bathtub Readers (how could you not be one, really?)
• a few literary movies or TV shows, for a bit of a break from reading and Scrabbling--I'll suggest these:

• Oh, and let's not forget the books--head to Brocante Home to check out some great vintage domestic fiction titles from Alison's 2010 read-along, or pick up something from your own shelves that you've been meaning to read for the longest time (and I'm thinking magazines are perfectly okay to throw in)--just don't forget to select a nice read-aloud for the whole family to enjoy.

It goes without saying that cell phones, internet, outside errand-running, and non-literary TV should be restricted or kept to a bare minimum--otherwise, your Staycation could be in danger of turning into an ordinary weekend.  Outdoor rambles are encouraged, though--as long as they quickly lead back to a warm couch.

Now go read, eat, relax, and make memories!

More Magazine Loveliness

Since I can't think of anything else I want to blog about on this snowy Monday, I'll give you some more eye candy from Living & More.

More colorific fabulousness in the January issue!

Magazine Obsession, Part 1: Living & More

It's (almost) a little embarrassing when I count up how many magazine subscriptions I have.  I just love them, especially design/lifestyle-related ones--though I'm actually surprisingly picky about them--and I'm always delighted to find a new one to buy (The Husband is not quite so delighted).  When we arrived in this country, naturally one of the first and most important things on my "to-do" list was to check out Germany's mag selection.  Incidentally, if you ever read either of my Japan blogs, you probably noticed that I have no problem buying magazines that I cannot read.  But back to this German one, which I am hopeful of having the possibility of reading one day.

Isn't it pretty?  This is the latest issue, which I just nabbed from the grocery store yesterday (paid for it, of course--though I paid for one last week that I didn't manage to place in my cloth grocery bag, as I got so flustered at the next patron all riding up on me from behind at the register--slow down, already!).  I haven't figured out how to subscribe to it, as the website is rather cryptic.  I did somehow order another German mag subscription online--more on that another time.  Anyway, I think this is my favorite magazine here, though the page count is a bit skimpy.  But if you love color and lots of it, the way I do, it's hard to resist.  Have a look at this:

Miriam Strehlau's home in Goa, India

Flower Fairies--yay!

the home of Susann Krebs--matryoshka and kokeshi doll love

Nice, ja?

I'll share from another Living & More issue soon!