Six Things: Enjoy Mother Nature's Icy Treatment

Hello, fellow wanderlusters!

Winter is one of my favorite seasons. Okay, you are right, I love all seasons. However, there is something so magical about winter. Imagine walking in the snow with a hot chocolate in hand...it is just so warm and inviting! 

As you may remember, back in August I wrote a post that was quite simple. In actuality, I simply listed 6 pictures of things you may want to consider. So, shall we get started with the winter version of 6 things? 

1.) Winter Fashion

Sporto Delinda Bootie: $69.95

**Yes, cozy snow-proof booties! I plan to pick up a pair to take with me to Germany.

2.) Check Out A New Blog

Classy Girls Wear Pearls

3.) A Treat For Your Taste Buds

Starbucks Gingerbread Trio: $13.96

4.) A Gift For The Special Man In Your Life

Rugby Toggle Shawl Cardigan: $99.99 

5.) A Little Arm Candy

Lauren Ralph Lauren: Signature Holiday Shopper: $168.00

***I received this Christmas present in red and absolutely adore it! 

6.) A Touching/Beautiful Documentary

First Position: $19.99

What are a few things that are on your list?

Happy Holidays!

XXOO

Books: Helping Us Survive the Holidays

Hello, fellow travelers!

During the holidays, one may find oneself in need of some entertainment or relief from a family like the Griswolds. 

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Many of us find ourselves on a long flight back home or off to a vacation in a far away land. So, the question is how do we entertain ourselves? Personally, I find curling up with a good book is the best way to pass time.

Soon to be B and I!

Books Worth Reading:

• 50 Shades Trilogy: $27.75 
• FIFTY SHADES OF GREY: "When college student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating.  The unworldly Ana realizes she wants this man, and Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian’s secrets and explores her own desires."
• FIFTY SHADES DARKER: "Daunted by Christian’s dark secrets and singular tastes, Ana has broken off their relationship to start a new career. But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and while Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Ana is forced to make the most important decision of her life."

• FIFTY SHADES FREED: "Now, Ana and Christian have it all—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to turn Ana’s deepest fears into reality."
• Lolita: $10.85 (I am currently reading this one.)
• "Awe and exhiliration--along with heartbreak and mordant wit--abound in Lolita, Nabokov's most famous and controversial novel, which tells the story of the aging Humbert Humbert's obsessive, devouring, and doomed passion for the nymphet Dolores Haze. Lolita is also the story of a hypercivilized European colliding with the cheerful barbarism of postwar America. Most of all, it is a meditation on love--love as outrage and hallucination, madness and transformation."
• A Walk in the Woods: $7.99 (I am currently reading this one as well.)
• "The Appalachian Trail trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and covers some of the most breathtaking terrain in America–majestic mountains, silent forests, sparking lakes. If you’re going to take a hike, it’s probably the place to go. And Bill Bryson is surely the most entertaing guide you’ll find. He introduces us to the history and ecology of the trail and to some of the other hardy (or just foolhardy) folks he meets along the way–and a couple of bears. Already a classic, A Walk in the Woods will make you long for the great outdoors (or at least a comfortable chair to sit and read in)."
• Me Talk Pretty One Day: $10.87
• "A recent transplant to Paris, humorist David Sedaris, bestselling author of "Naked", presents a collection of his strongest work yet, including the title story about his hilarious attempt to learn French. A number one national bestseller now in paperback."
• The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Trilogy: $35.51
• "All across America, readers are talking about Stieg Larsson’s best-selling novels, set in Sweden and featuring Lisbeth Salander—'one of the most original and memorable heroines to surface in a recent thriller' (The New York Times). The trilogy is an international sensation that will grab you and keep you 'reading with eyes wide open' (San Francisco Chronicle). '[It] is intricately plotted, lavishly detailed but written with a breakneck pace and verve' (The Independent, U.K.), but 'be warned: the trilogy is seriously addictive.' (The Guardian, U.K.)."
• Anna Karenina: $12.24 (I plan to read this on my way to Germany!)

• "Described by William Faulkner as the best novel ever written and by Fyodor Dostoevsky as “flawless,” Anna Karenina tells of the doomed love affair between the sensuous and rebellious Anna and the dashing officer, Count Vronsky. Tragedy unfolds as Anna rejects her passionless marriage and must endure the hypocrisies of society. Set against a vast and richly textured canvas of nineteenth-century Russia, the novel's seven major characters create a dynamic imbalance, playing out the contrasts of city and country life and all the variations on love and family happiness."
• "While previous versions have softened the robust, and sometimes shocking, quality of Tolstoy's writing, Pevear and Volokhonsky  have produced a translation true to his powerful voice. This authoritative edition, which received the PEN Translation Prize and was an Oprah Book Club™ selection, also includes an illuminating introduction and explanatory notes. Beautiful, vigorous, and eminently readable, this Anna Karenina will be the definitive text for fans of the film and generations to come."
• Tigers in Red Weather: $17.15 (I'm intrigued by this book and will read it soon.)

• "Nick and her cousin, Helena, have grown up sharing sultry summer heat, sunbleached boat docks, and midnight gin parties on Martha's Vineyard in a glorious old family estate known as Tiger House. In the days following the end of the Second World War, the world seems to offer itself up, and the two women are on the cusp of their 'real lives': Helena is off to Hollywood and a new marriage, while Nick is heading for a reunion with her own young husband, Hughes, about to return from the war.
  
  Soon the gilt begins to crack. Helena's husband is not the man he seemed to be, and Hughes has returned from the war distant, his inner light curtained over. On the brink of the 1960s, back at Tiger House, Nick and Helena--with their children, Daisy and Ed--try to recapture that sense of possibility. But when Daisy and Ed discover the victim of a brutal murder, the intrusion of violence causes everything to unravel. The members of the family spin out of their prescribed orbits, secrets come to light, and nothing about their lives will ever be the same.
  
  Brilliantly told from five points of view, with a magical elegance and suspenseful dark longing, Tigers in Red Weather is an unforgettable debut novel from a writer of extraordinary insight and accomplishment."

Budget Friendly Route:

• Head to your local library to rent!
• Borrow from friends and family members who already own them.
• Go check out a used book store!
• Head to your local Salvation Army for cheap books!
• Ask Santa to bring you books for Christmas ;)

Check back soon for Christmas present ideas!

Happy reading!

Hallo, Deutschland!

Hallo, liebe Kolleginnen und Abenteurer!

The New Year is creeping closer and that means I have discovered where my next adventure will be. Within a few weeks, I will be grabbing my passport and jetsetting to my next adventure.


Drum roll please....

My next adventure with B will be in Berlin! I'm excited that I will be heading out of the country for a week after Christmas.

Berlin: A Quick Look

• Berlin is known to be founded in the 13th Century, but I have read that it may be older than researchers previously thought. 
• Berlin is NINE times bigger than Paris! 
• I have heard that Berlin is like New York City....never sleeps!
• Berlin is so big that it is divided into districts.
• Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
• Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg
• Lichtenberg
• Marzahn-Hellersdorf
• Mitte
• I believe this is the district I will be staying in.
• Neukolln
• Pankow
• Reinickendorf
• Spandau
• Steglitz-Zehlendorf
• Tempelhof-Schoneberg
• Treptow-Kopenick
• Berlin is filled with so much history!
• Hitler occupied Berlin.
• There was a concentration camp located outside of the city in Sachsenhausen.
• WWII left Berlin in ruins.
• Berlin Wall ("Iron Curtain") was a barrier separating East and West Berlin.
• Existed from 1961-1990
• However, I hear that part of the Berlin Wall still exists.

Places To See:

• Funkturm Berlin
• Best views of western Berlin's landmarks, such as Charlottenburg Palace and AVUS.
• Museum Island
• Literally, just a bunch of museums that showcase coins, medals, religious iconography, and sculptures.
• Berlin Zoo
• Was restored after WWII and now houses over 14,000 animals. It is said to be one of the most impressive zoos in Europe. I'm hoping to go see Bao Bao the giant panda!
• Holocaust Memorial
• Said to be a "harrowing and truly powerful experience." 
• Brandenburg Gate
• One of the city's most recognizable landmarks that was built in 1791 and restored after WWII. Today, it symbolizes "Germany's rebirth as a unified state."

• Possible Sights

German Phrases

English	Deutsch
yes / no	ja / nein (yah/nine)
please/thanks	bitte/danke (BIT-tuh/DAHN-kuh)
You're welcome.	Bitte. (BIT-tuh)
You're welcome. (for a favor)	Gern geschehen. (ghern guh-SHAY-un)
Excuse me!	Entschuldigen Sie! (ent-SHOOL-de-gen zee)
Where's the restroom/toilet?	Wo ist die Toilette? (vo ist dee toy-LET-uh)
left / right	links / rechts (linx/rechts)
downstairs / upstairs	unten / oben (oonten/oben)
Hello!/Good day!	Guten Tag! (GOO-ten tahk)
Good-bye!	Auf Wiedersehen! (owf VEE-der-zane)
Good morning!	Guten Morgen! (GOO-ten morgen)
Good night!	Gute Nacht! (GOO-tuh nahdt)
My name is...	Ich heisse... (ich HYE-suh)
I am...	Ich bin... (ich bin)
Do you have...?	Haben Sie...? (HAH-ben zee)
a room	ein Zimmer (eye-n TSIM-air)
a rental car	ein Mietwagen (eye-n MEET-vahgen)
a bank	eine Bank (eye-nuh bahnk)
the police	die Polizei (dee po-lit-ZYE)
the train station	der Bahnhof (dare BAHN-hof)
the airport	der Flughafen (dare FLOOG-hafen)

• Or go pick up a copy of Rick Steve's German Phase Book & Dictionary: $8.95

Look back soon for my packing list for a winter climate and books worth traveling with. Oh, and come back after Christmas for a review of Berlin!

Auf Wiedersehen!

Menswear

Hello, fellow bloggers!

It has been awhile since I last posted and I apologize. I'm sure we all know that life gets a little hectic around the holidays. Anyways, fear not because I am going to do another fashion post for all the fashionistas looking for fun fashion ideas. 

Topic of the day: Menswear

• How do you feel about it?
• I personally love menswear because the clothes are comfortable, cute, and in your closet...or maybe your boyfriend's closet. 
• Also, it is my belief that men can't resist a girl who dresses like this. I think there is a sense of "she is wearing my clothes..." Yes, you can finish the sentence yourself!
• Can anyone pull it off?
• Yes, everyone can wear menswear! All you need to do is find the cozy pieces hanging in your closet and throw them together!
• Don't worry if it looks a little sloppy!
• How to put it together:
• Do layers!
• Do find one great blazer!
• Do keep jewelry simple!
• Go for bright lips and mascara!
• Feel free to curl, straighten, or just toss your hair into a messy bun!
• Grab some oxfords or loafers...or some bright flats to spice it up!
• Do have confidence!

Are you ready for my version?

What I am wearing:

• Target Sunglasses:
• I've owned these since summer. I think they cost about $10.
• H&M blue shirt
• I bought this 2 years ago for about $14.
• JCrew: 
• White Shirt: I've owned this for a year and it was about $25. 
• Blazer: I bought this a few months ago because it was the perfect blazer for me. It was a little pricey (~$200), but I  get a lot of use out of it. 
• Diesel Baggy Jeans: I bought these yesterday for $26 instead of the usual $200. Yes, you read that right! 
• Head to the outlet malls for great deals! 
• Brown Socks: 
• I've owned these for awhile....probably about $2.50.
• Brown Oxfords: 
• I bought these at Target 2 years ago for $10. Yes, the shoes were on sale :)
• Chanel Lipstick: Rouge Allure 98: Coromandel
• It is like an orangish red and my favorite!

* Grand Total: $287.50 

• Remember, this is over the last 2 years!
• For a budget friendly option, dig in your closet for loose fitting pieces and throw a cardigan on! And it is okay to look a little sloppy because you are going for a girl-next-door vibe! 

Random fun pictures of my menswear:

The tree in the front yard that fell from Hurricane Sandy!

Look, I can balance on a tree with coffee!

Brown Oxfords are perfect for climbing fallen trees!

Gingerbread Lattes scream winter!

Recommendations if you need new clothes:

• JCrew:
• Schoolboy Blazer: $198
• I love this blazer! It is the perfect cut and there are tons of pockets.
• Perfect Shirt: $88
• I have this in a green color and I love it! The shirt is cut perfectly. Oh, and did I mention it is so comfortable you won't want to take it off?
• H&M
• Perfect place to dig for loose shirts, sweaters, etc.
• Target
• I always buy cardigans from here! 
• GAP:
• 1969 Sexy Boyfriend Jeans: $69.95

Need more inspiration:

• Pinterest: Menswear
• Women In Menswear
• Menswear
• Because London
• Harper's Bazaar

Will you be trying the trend? If so, let me know what your version was!

Pumpkin Seeds

Hello, fellow monsters!

All Hallow's Eve is now 8 days away! Of course, like many monsters I am antsy to roam the Earth once more. Okay, I'm just kidding...or am I?

A spooky cemetery near my house!

One of my favorite things to do as Halloween inches closer is to carve pumpkins. Furthermore, I really enjoy what is inside the pumpkin. Yes, the seeds are quite delicious if made correctly! So, lets take a look at my family recipe to making delicious pumpkin seeds!

Preparation:

• Carve your pumpkin :)

• Scrape out the pumpkin.
• Save the seeds
• Rinse the seeds and separate them from the pumpkin-goo

Baking:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit
• After seeds are rinsed and dried:
• Toss seeds in olive oil
• Throw on a dash of Tony Chachere's seasoning (Found at any grocery store: green bottle)
• Throw on a nonstick pan

• Place in oven for about 20-25 minutes (or until golden)
• Flip 10 minutes into baking to ensure that they are evenly browned
• Take out of oven and let them cool

Now What?

• Invite your friends over for a movie night!

• Place your baked seeds in a dish
• Oh, and maybe grab some candy, popcorn, and other ghoulish treats

• Throw in a horror/Halloween flick:
• Martyrs (2008)
• Trick 'r Treat (2009)
• 13 Ghosts (2001)
• Corpse Bride (2005)
• Twilight Marathon (to prepare for November's release)
• Black Sheep (2006)
• Dawn of the Dead or Night of the Living Dead
• Halloween Marathon
• Beetle Juice (1988)
• Hocus Pocus (1993) : my all time favorite Halloween movie!
• Edward Scissorhands (1990): or any Tim Burton movie!
• Young Frankenstein (1974)

• Grab a blanket or light a fire!
• Prepare to be scared!

• Enjoy the last few days of Halloween!

Need more help:

• Pumpkin Recipes
• Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
• Email me: KOswald26@gmail.com

Enjoy Halloween, fellow monsters!

Oh, and check back to see my carved pumpkins!

Where is the Great Pumpkin?

Hello, fellow adventurers!

Have you been looking for an activity to do during the beautiful fall weather? Well, look no further if you are in the Virginia area!

October is not only known for Halloween, but pumpkins! They can be used for decoration, food, and much more. Pumpkin picking is one of my favorite things to do in October.

Where to go:

Belvedere Plantation

• "Belvedere Plantation is a 645 acre heritage farm, built in the 1760's on the historic Rappahannock River near Fredericksburg, Virginia. It is a working farm, with grain crops such as corn, wheat and soybeans. And who can forget the pumpkins!"

Address:

• 1410 Belvedere Drive, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22408
• (540) 373-4478

Cost:

• Cackling Farm Pass: $16
• Regular pass
• Crowing Farm Pass: $22.50
• Extra-value pass
• Coupons and More

What to do: 

• Explore the huge farm!
• Cut your own flowers.
• Shoot pumpkins
• Feed/pet animals
• See the owner's soon-to-be Thanksgiving dinner (Turkey!)
• Watch the Pig Race
• Eat :)
• Ride the hayride to the pumpkin patch
• Pick your own pumpkin off the vine!
• If you have children:
• Tons of playgrounds
• Art tents
• Activity tents
• Shop for jams, food, toys, etc.
• Corn maze!
• Click here for more information!

Calendar of Events:

• Click here!

Picture Time:

 Above: Part of my lovely family.
 Right Side: Me sitting in a pumpkin patch. Yes, I am holding one of my whopper pumpkins! All you can carry for $26.95. My suggestion, find a strong person to walk 3 steps with all the pumpkins you want! 

My little sister and I trying out handmade pumpkin hats. If I remember correctly, the hat costs about $22.50.

I love feeding goats! Oh, and look at the size of the turkey awaiting a sad, but delicious fate.

Pay $5 for a white cup filled with as many flowers as you can fit. Yes, B and I cut all the flowers in our cup (sunflowers and wildflowers). I would definitely recommend going into the garden and picking out your own flowers!

Check out the pumpkin shooting. Adults give a small donation and children are free (no donation necessary) to direct and pull the trigger. Oh, and what are you aiming for? A target set up a long distance away! Good luck!!

 B and I having fun with one of the many scarecrows on the farm. And that may or may not be B rolled up into a hay bale. 

Sadie wishes everyone a happy fall!