Urban Jungle | Watering

Do you guys remember my post last month about my new balcony garden? Well, I’m finally sharing an update with you and taking the opportunity to join a little online community known as the Urban Jungle Bloggers (scroll to the bottom of this post for more info). This month — fitting these very warm summer days — the Urban Jungle focus is on watering your plants.

For the first few weeks after planting my balcony garden, I was watering the flowers using a pitcher from the kitchen. It was fine and all, but clearly just a temporary solution. Watering cans are one of those things that — up until this summer — I haven’t ever paid much attention to. But I immediately knew I was looking for one with a bit of an old-fashioned flair. As soon as I laid eyes on this pretty, shiny watering can, I knew it was the one for me.

It kind of makes watering the plants fun and the nozzle ensures that I don’t over water them either. The flowers seems to be enjoying themselves too. The sandwort and tick sage are growing like crazy. (Compare them to last month!) The sage, on the other hand, grew a lot at the beginning, but then dried out. I’ve trimmed the stems down a bit and it seems to be blooming again, but hasn’t quite reached the same height as of yet.

I’ve even added more flowers to the balcony. But this time I thought I’d see how they fare sitting on the ground with a bit of shade rather than hanging in the direct sunlight.

How do you care for your plants during these hot summer days?

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Urban Jungle Bloggers is a monthly series hosted by 2 bloggers: Igor (Happy Interior Blog) and Judith (JOELIX.com). Every month they share ideas to create an urban jungle through styling ideas, DIYs and green tips & tricks. You can find additional inspiration on the Urban Jungle Bloggers Pinterest board and keep up-to-date via their Facebook page. Want to join? Subscribe to their monthly topic newsletter or use #urbanjunglebloggers on twitter and instagram.

July 21, 2014

Berlin | Lunch & Shopping in the West

A few weeks ago, I spent several days in Berlin (my first trip back since November) and had such a fantastic time — I love the Hauptstadt so much! When I lived there, my life was very much centered around the eastern part of the city. Since I was staying at a friends’ place in Schöneberg this time around, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to explore the former West Berlin.

Mexican food and shopping were at the top of my list and I was thrilled that Kate of Sole Satisfaction was game to join me for both!

After drooling over her Top Five Mexican Restaurants in Berlin post, we decided on Santa Maria‘s in Kreuzberg for lunch. I ordered the taco carnitas (yum), guacamole and chips, and a hibiscus mint margarita. Even though I had gotten a late start to my morning and had slurped down a coffee on the U-bahn ride over, margaritas at noon are marvelous on a sunny day!

A short train ride away was & Other Stories on Ku’damm (there’s also one in Mitte), easily my favorite new store! Modern, Scandinavian-inspired clothes, shoes, accessories, and beauty products. I could have spent hours wandering around (ok, maybe I did).

A Uniqlo opened up in Soho while I was still living in New York, but I never really got the chance to check it out before I moved to Germany. No worries — there’s now one in Berlin! In contrast to & Other Stories, Uniqlo is all about the basics (not to mention the crazy staircases that make me dizzy).

Nearby is the newly opened Bikini Berlin, which brands itself as a “concept mall” located right next to the Zoologischer Garten. The building itself opened in 1957, but now Bikini Berlin features temporary pop-up stores and a fantastic rooftop terrace. Big plus point: you can watch the monkeys at the zoo next door while you take a break for a coffee on the terrace!

Altogether, a fabulous afternoon! For more on my visit, check out my photo album here, as well as my visit to the David Bowie exhibition.

What’s your favorite part of Berlin? Do you love the east or the west the most?

July 15, 2014

Bremen | Viertel Facades

Ever since I moved to Bremen’s beloved Viertel last fall, I’ve been plotting to wander the neighborhood with my camera to capture some of the beautiful houses (kind of like I did in Berlin). Every single day I admire these gorgeous old homes and their absolutely amazing gardens! Finally last Saturday, everything fell into place — blue skies, warm temperatures, and some free time on my hands…

Because Bremen architecture is on a smaller scale than in other cities, there’s a definite charm that’s hard to beat. While I find the traditional neutral whites and grays quite lovely, I am never one to resist bold color either. Hello green and pink and yellow!

What do the buildings in your neighborhood look like?

July 11, 2014

InstaFriday | Purple Haze

Wow, what a week! Like most people in Germany, I’m still reeling from the semi-finals World Cup game on Tuesday. No one expected anything like it and I don’t think we’ll see another game like that for a long, long time. Everywhere I went on Wednesday, it was pretty much the only thing people were talking about on the street, in the shops, in the tram, and at work. No matter what happens at the finals on Sunday night — no doubt a World Cup win would be *so* sweet — Germany will always remember that night when everyone’s jaws dropped to the floor and they rubbed their eyes with disbelief.

But the week has also been great for other reasons too. I was on fire at work and finished a whole lot of projects that have been looming over me. And I’ve been playing with my new toy — the iPad mini. I’m still discovering everything it can do, so I’d love to hear suggestions!

Pearl Jam Wuhlheide — Pearl Jam performing at Wuhlheide in Berlin. Via Instagram.

Purple House — A little purple house in the Viertel, Bremen. Via Instagram.

Purple Street Art — It’s all about perspective. Via Instagram.

My photos this week were inspired by the color//colour photo project. Happy weekend to everyone!