Sunday, July 27, 2014

Favorite Things: July


Happy Monday! I am so excited to join in on all the fun today with Momfessionals and the link up "My Favorite Things"! Who doesn't love sharing about their favorite things?
Auf gehts! Let's go!

Eins: French Coffee Press
Is it early in the morning where you are? Do you have a cup of coffee in your hand? Husband and I do not own a fancy cappuccino machine, an espresso pod coffee maker, or even the classic 12-cup coffee pot and I am, completely fine, with that. For a while now, I have been wanting to share with you my love for a French Coffee Press. What better day than today? Husband bought this for me for my 29th birthday last year and it is the perfect size for just us two. I'll explain more in the next photo!

Zwei: Fresh Coffee Grounds
To go along with our French Coffee Press, Husband received an electric coffee grinder for Christmas. I'm not too sure what is better than the smell of freshly ground coffee grinds coming out of the kitchen early in the morning. We store a variety of different beans in our freezer; Eilles, Illy, Starbucks, but Husband's favorite is a small local roaster out of Landsberg am Lech, Grandoro Gourmet Kaffee.  We have become quite spoiled with our coffee choices in Germany and with the neighboring Italians and French. 

Drei: Mix It! Dishes
I've mentioned these dishes before and you've probably seen them featured in pictures...but I just can't get enough of the colors! They are sold in Butler's which is a store out of the UK that is similar to Pier 1 in The States. The dishes start at 1,99 Euros and can be mix-matched. I bought them in cherry red, cobalt blue, green apple, turquoise, canary yellow, and classic orange. 
Another favorite of mine, but definitely not in the $10 range, is this table quilt my talented Aunt Terri made for Husband and my engagement. It is a breakfast quilt made with retro inspired material. She matched my style perfectly and I love it. It just makes the mornings so cheerful!

Vier: Cupcake Pot Holders
My mom gave me these adorable handmade cupcake potholders this past Christmas. Not only do I love that they are colorful cupcakes but also that my mom supported a local artist. Good job, Mom! My mom found them at a local church craft fair and I sadly do not know the creator's name. If anyone in the McKinney area happens to recognize these please let me know so I can give a reference! 

Fünf: Raw Lux Gems
Speaking of supporting local handmade artists, one of my favorite designers here in Munich is April. She is a transplanted California girl who sells her jewelry at local markets and in her successful Etsy shop: Raw Lux Gems. This is a picture of a pair of Raw Lux Gems' handmade silver wire wrapped earrings with aqua blue crystal pennants. These earrings are one of my favorite things because they are classy but with a fun contemporary twist. I'm talking about the twisted silver wrapped wire. Isn't it cute!?

Which brings me to Mainly Maren's... 
This Back to School Giveaway is open to teachers, administrators, moms shrieking with excitement that school is back on, moms shedding tears that their kids are going back into the classrooms, and/or anyone who ever stepped foot inside a school...is welcomed to join in this giveaway!  

Included in the giveaway are the gorgeous pair of aqua blue silver wire wrapped earrings from Raw Lux Gems, a handmade trio of cork boards made by your's truly (me!) perfect for posting reminders in any classroom/office, and a package of 15 colorful fine tip pens from the German company Stabilo
How much fun would it be to write all those important dates in your school or family planner using these bright cheerful colors? I currently use a cobalt blue and coral marker in my daily journal. These pens are fine tip which I love because my hand has better control over a ball point. I'm secretly, or not so secretly to those who know me quite well, obsessed with handwriting. My business cards are even designed in my handwriting! (Thanks Margo!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Have a Fantastic Week Folks,

17 comments:

  1. How timely: today was the first day of school for my students! I'm pooped, but I'm also so excited to be back in the classroom.

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    1. Amy, are you teaching on base? Congrats on the start of the new school year!

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  2. I do love the cork boards, what a great idea to do them in such vibrant colours. And of course, the earrings are amazing, cannot miss this giveaway chance... ;-)

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    1. Thanks Kate! I wandered around the fabric section two days in a row trying to decide. Craft girl problems, right?!

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  3. Love reading your blog. Can't wait to meet my home room kids but not ready to leave my boys.

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    1. Thank you so much for reading! Enjoy lots of snuggles these last few weeks!

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  4. I just ran across your blog from the link up and I love the cute cork boards, and I have a slight obsession with pens. SO I was totally excited when I saw those!! I am excited to read more of your blog posts!

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    1. Hey Alyson! Thanks for joining the site! I actually am planning on making myself a second set of the cork boards because I love them too!

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  5. Loved all of your favorite things...especially the pens! Have a great day!

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    1. Thank you! The pens are fun because you can change colors whenever or they keep you better organized.

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  7. Those cupcake potholders are adorable! Thanks for sharing your favorites. :) We have started using our french press to make coffee on the weekends and love it, too.

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    1. I always was intimidated by the French Press but it is actually easier to use that I originally thought! Hope your week is going well!

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  8. I need to try a French press--I think I would really like it!!
    Love those cute potholders.
    Great giveaway, Maren!

    www.floralandfudge.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Rachel! Let me know if you decide to try out the French Press. Thanks for reading! I am very excited about this giveaway!

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  9. I would probably be fighting my teen daughter for these items if I won! We are excited about back to school time but it's a little bittersweet for me because my oldest is moving off to college! He is excited and I'm excited for him but I will be a wreck after he leaves!

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  10. I hope I win! Those pens would be perfect with the Erin Condren planner I just got!!! :)

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Thank you so much for your comments! I enjoy reading each and every one.