Fly By

My time here in the US is coming to a close and we are getting ready to head back to Europe for a month, so obviously I am worried about my skin. Traveling takes a toll out of my body, head and skin. I always feel like a lizard upon arrival no matter how much water I drink or lotion I slather on my skin (and then have to go to bathroom every 5 minutes). That is until I rediscovered Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Gold Ultra Restorative Capsules Intensive Treatment for Face and Throat courtesy of Birchbox. I know what you are thinking, these are super old school and only used by little old ladies with three cats and a house full of really cool old things, but there is no way you could ever find them because they are under 10 feet of newspaper and canned food. Well you would be wrong then, because I am now a user and totally don't own any cats or even get the newspaper.

These little capsules have helped transform my sickly, fever soaked skin into a normal looking face in just a few days. In fact I went make-up free for a few days when we were packing and moving and had a friend tell me that my skin looked amazing. I am not thinking that it's that good, but I must admit I am super happy with the results. The capsules contain a silky material that goes on quick and easy and instantly absorbs into the skin. I used this every morning for a week and really saw a difference in my skin tone.

Is it a miracle worker? Probably not, but I am hoping that it will help keep me from the lizard status today on the plane!!

Free Breakfast and Cyber Monday

So last few weeks as previously stated have been a little crazy and hectic, but I have learned a few things in the process.

Pajama Jeans – Genius for packing and loading/unloading moving trucks.

DayQuil/NyQuil – A must have for the seriously sick, but need to get stuff done.

UHaul trucks – Comfortable they are not, but they get the job done.

Free Breakfast at hotel/motels/Inns – Fucking Brilliant.

So in retail news there was Black Friday (skipped it) and of course today is Cyber Monday (phoning it in). I am taking a little bit longer to get into the spirit of the holidays this year, but maybe all I need is a little retail therapy. My mailbox was full of offers this morning from every possible merchant. After reviewing all the mails the big deals for me this Cyber Monday seem to be all about the things I want, but I swear I am buying for others. Really. Here are a few of the highlights:

Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft – 50% off of everything and free shipping. Yup. It’s true. Get on it!

Bauble Bar – For every $30 dollars you spend you get a free item from the gifting suite. The gifting suite has some super lovely things and not just the no one has bought these so we are giving them away, but wow I really like and want that pair of earrings kind of suite. I like to call these types of sales the ‘one for you, one for me’ sale. Plus if you haven’t checked out Bauble Bar yet you should take a look through. You need to sign up for the deal, but it's worth it.

Kate Spade – Sample Sale. Which means up to 75% off of purses, clothes, accessories, etc.. I have a hard time saying no to any of the items at these prices, but I do have a bit of a KS obsession (Also Tory Burch, but that is a story for another time).

Open Sky – I don’t know if you have ever been to this site yet, but I love it. They have fun and interesting items curated by “celebrities”, but they are useful, different and range from cashmere scarves to salami. They have something for everyone and the items they feature are on sale and only available for limited times at that price. So if you see something you like, get it before it’s gone. Right now they also have free shipping for Cyber Monday.

So to summarize todays post free breakfast and Kate Spade are tops on my list of awesome things and some of you may get jewelry or salami for Christmas. Not too bad for a Monday.

Thankful and not dead...Just recovering

So I was sick, took an airplane trip, got sicker and then had to pack up my house. I am thankful to be healthy and that my house is almost packed. I am also not dead, so thankful for that as well. I will be getting back to posting and keep you on the edge of your seat starting again next week. I hope you all have a super great Thanksgiving or Thursday. Depends on your country and/or mood for celebrating the coming together of the Indians and Pilgrims for dinner before the mass slaying (and not in the Buffy kind of way).

In the meantime here is a photo that I took while at a children's amusement park in the Netherlands. It's from a small building on the property that is turned into a "museum"of basically old heads that were used throughout the park over the years. This was creepier than the haunted house they had as an attraction!

Anyone need an extra head?

Great minds drink wine

I know immediately that I will like someone when we like the same wine. The other day I was having a discussion with a new acquaintance (here in the Netherlands) and she mentioned that one of her favorite wines is a Rioja that was inexpensive and delicious. My reply was wordless. I whipped out my iPhone and showed her my lock screen. "Yes!" she replied and I knew I was in good company.

If you even kinda like wine, go and get this. It's under $10 and is fantastic. If your wine shop doesn't have it, ask them to get it. Better yet, be like me and stalk the local wine shop on twitter. If you are in Seattle that shop would be Esquin (I got the twitter covered since I am headed there next week!).

PSA - UGG Edition

So in full disclosure, I do have a grey pair that I wear at home to take out the garbage or when I am in the mountains (As if). That is the only reason they leave the house. They are like crocs, they may be comfortable but people think you look stupid when wearing them. It's true. Consider this your PSA for the day.

Moving, decorating and manual labor

Part of the whole having houses in different states (or countries) means you need to have two of almost everything. Which is great fun in the beginning, but then I keep thinking what if I want those super cool glasses in the US and not just NL? Then I have some perspective put on me by my loving, but down to earth friends who inform me to get a grip, but it doesn't mean I can't have a little fun right? Right.

In my search for all kitchen type products I have found some great items that would work in any home in any country. Care to see what's at the top of my list?

Schott Zwiesel wine glasses specifically the diva line. I saw these the other day at a cook shop here in the Netherlands and can't stop thinking about them. The pictures do not do them justice, but image a big beautiful glass filled with your favorite wine. Enough said.

They are also made of Tritan glass that is supposed to be
stronger than normal glass to keep them in one piece at parties.

I love to entertain and really like the idea of having individual bottles for water, juice and other liquid products and these bottles add the right touch of fun and useful. Plus at the price of $14 each (at Uncommon Goods) I need one in each color!

As someone who enjoys cheese in every shape and form I love having cheese plates and these are quite perfect for the job. They are super cute and also found at Uncommon Goods.

As mentioned previously on this site I do adore a good vintage piece or in this case a faux vintage, but totally looks a like piece I could find in an antique shop. Love these trivets from Anthropologie

A big thing in the Netherlands is the usage of the tablecloth at dinner. I personally love the idea and have quite a few vintage pieces to use, but here is my absolute favorite (so far at least) that I have found on the web from Macy's.

I haven't actually purchased anything yet, but I am working on it!! Any ideas that you have come across?

By the way I think I am obsessed with drinks because I could have filled this whole page with glassware and pitchers (decanters, cocktail shakers, etc. I think you get the idea), but refrained to maintain a slight sense of dignity and not the alcohol consumer that I can (and sometimes often) be. I am way to classy for that. Right?

Musings and a discount

Been a bit of a crazy week. Lot's going on yet nothing accomplished. Know the feeling?

Loved it so much!
Me and my handbag at the handbag museum.

The week started with some fun with the girls in Amsterdam. We went to the Van Gogh museum and the museum of handbags and purses. The Van Gogh museum was great and I learned a whole bunch of things, BUT the handbag museum was AMAZING. I could have spent the entire day there looking at all of the different items and then perhaps going through the displays again to see what I missed. They of course have a cafe there so I could take breaks for coffee and food. Next time that is the plan and I should go by myself to spare others the pain of hours in a purse museum (Thanks for hanging in there as long as possible Erika and Christa!!). We then finished up our day (which just happened to be Halloween) in the red light district where we found a great little Argentinian restaurant for dinner. Perfect way to end the day having steak next to ladies selling their wares. All good fun.

Having a traditional sugar waffle before hitting the museums.
These are soooo good.

The rest of the days were spreadsheets, expenses and other fun administrative tasks. So I didn't have too much time to patrol the internet, but I still managed to find a cool site that has some very fun retro dresses at a perfectly reasonable price. It's called the Shabby Apple  and while I can't comment yet on the quality (I did order a dress and will let you know the outcome) I can at least say they are super cute on the web! The best news for all of this is that if you clink the link above you will automatically get 15% off all regularly priced items. Not bad right?! Here are a few of my favorites and the first one is what I purchased.

So cute! I can't wait to try this on.

This is lovely and hopefully mine if I like the quality of the first one.

This was made for me! I know it. I see a holiday
party in my future with this dress!

This is just the icing on the cake, there are so many more that I want (I do have this thing though about needing to move, get two houses, etc. etc.. So perhaps I should do that first then buy more clothes. Priorities suck.). Anyway check out the store and see for yourself, you might find something you can't live without (and with 15% off to boot!).

Next up for me is the shoe museum. That's right not only does this country have a handbag museum, but a shoe one as well. I love the Netherlands!