LIFE.

BLS (Basic Life Support) Class!

You have to be certified to work at the clinic but I actually found it to be extremely informative and would take it again in a heartbeat even if it wasn't mandatory. We learned how to perform CPR, Heimlich Maneuver & how to use an AED (Automated Extended Defibrillator) on adults, children and infants in 1 person rescuer or 2 person rescuer groups. Definitely a useful life skill!

If you're interested in becoming certified you can do it with your local Red Cross!

A veggie platter w/ my skinny egg salad & a scoop of crunchy peanut butter

Since I'm at the clinic with the Hubs now dinners have been a lot simpler as of late.

And for the Hubs - Dumpling Pizza!

It's so simply and filling.  I mean what's not to love pork + cheese. 

I had a similar version years and years ago at a fusion Japanese restaurant in Hawaii.  It's just pan fried dumplings + cheddar (fried until it's crunchy) + furikake on top!

Steak night!

With my drug dealer (lol!)

And my (eye) prescriber (uber important as I am blind as a bat)!!

Steak w/ Chive Butter, BBQ sauce & Spicy Chipotle Butter & Side Salad

Your steak comes out entirely raw on an extremely hot plate.  And you basically cut it yourself and "cook" it to your preferred wellness.  It was pretty fun & interactive!

The irony is that this steak is apparently from Omaha Nebraska lol!  Americans in Germany eating US steak. Oh the irony.  The Hubs went with the Argentinian steak and tried some of mine and said the Omaha steak was better. Who knew?!

Night cap.

Cooking for The Hub's potluck.

Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Brownies

Sushi Bake

Breakfast sausage, Scrambled eggs w/ Cheddar & Salsa, Toast w/ Peanut Butter & Honey and an Orange

Sunday brunch... because everything in Germany is closed on Sundays. And.I.Mean.EVERYTHING... you wake up Sunday morning and want to grab brunch, or a morning coffee or running to the store to grab some fresh bread. Not.Going.To.Happen.

So we do Sunday brunch at home now lol!

Coffee date :)

Made the Hubs crab cake sandwich while I ate salad 

-____-

Crab Cake sandwich topped w/ avocado & a Beet & Gorgonzola Salad

I'm such a good wife :p 

Bahahahaha

Although to be fair mine was a crab salad.. but still lol!

OOTD - Jacket: F21, Blouse: ZARA, Jean Leggings: H&M, Booties: CHINESE LAUNDRY, Purse: CHANEL

I was reading a post on Whowhatwear.com recently and it talked about "cultivating" an "everyday uniform".  Pieces that you can just throw together and be out the door decently put together in 5 mins flat!

And I realized the above is mine! 

Loose fitting blouse or tee, jean leggings, booties w/ a leather or in this case faux leather jacket!

Kalbi shortribs marinated for a full 24 hours!!!

The Hubs kept opening the fridge and asking if I could cook them straight away but waiting the full 24 hours made all the difference in the world!  So flavorful and juicy.

                                                               OM NOM NOM!!  

  Obviously the picture above was The Hubs dinner mine was eaten sans rice more broccoli and less meat :p

OOTD - Jacket: F21, Dress: ROMEO & JULIET, Shoes: CHINESE LAUNDRY, Purse: REBECCA MINKOFF

Vietnamese Egg Rolls & Shrimp Crackers

Pho

Sauteed Beef over rice noodles

Had to drive 70 minutes round trip for Vietnamese food!  

But it was worth it was delicious!

#WillNeverComplainAboutDriving15MinForFoodAgain

I really reallllly loved the Sk-II cream the more I used it.  Would absolutely most definitely repurchase this in the future!

Definitely more cost friendly then the La Mer I was using prior.  And truthfully because of how expensive the La Mer was I was trying to use AS little as possible when I used it.. which probably COMPLETELY negated any moisturizing effects of the actual product itself

-___-

Before my SK-II ran out I purchased these products from Nordstrom.com (they're super affordable too!) upon the recommendation of my blogger friend Phoebe from Eat. Live. Love. Repeat. She's GORGEOUS.. I'm literally obsessed w/ her eye makeup and her glowy skin!  So I'm trying these out now!

#FurDaughterApproved 

tehehehe!

Snitzel Sandwich, XL Hot Dog & Paprika Fries

Flexible Double Sided Spatula & Bundt Cake Pan 

Totes excited over my new pink kitchen wear!! 

I don't really drink alcohol.. but I L-O-V-E alcohol desserts.  

Tiramisu, Bananas Foster, Champagne Truffles.. you name it I love it LOL!

And I especially love a good rum soaked bundt cake ie. Baba au Rum/Rum Baba especially during the holiday season (ok I'm SERIOUSLY months in advance but do you really need a reason for rum soaked cake? lololol.) 

DUSSELDORF & COLOGNE

Toykio!

Obsessed w/ that Croissant light on the wall!!! 

I want one because seriously is there anything better then a perfectly flaky and butter croissant.  I think not hehehe!

Freaked out there were like 6 impeccably groomed Shih-tzu's just strolling down the street.  Sadly didn't get a good pic but it was cutest thing ever!!

Semi-Sweet Dark Chocolate Brownie

Densest Brownie ever..  so rich and decadent!!

Hello Kitty x UglyDoll Collab!

I'm actually slightly obsessed w/ the concept of UglyDoll.  You can read all about it here on it's Wikipedia page but essentially the concept is that "ugly" actually means "unique" & "special" and to remember that we're all unique!

I think (especially) in a world of "blogging" & "bloggers" everyone (bloggers, subscribers & yes even the haters!) become obsessed with this idea of "perfection" or what I like to refer to as "controlling the narrative" ie. what people perceive as reality.  

I've try not to subscribe to that mentality - I don't even consider myself a blogger I just "journal" my life and if you care to follow along you are more then welcomed to and if you don't want to don't! :) 

Life is hard and it's a struggle. I don't always blog about my struggles mostly because I didn't start blogging to talk about my struggles I wanted a mindless space to just talk about my life loves (The Hubs, my Fur Babies, Friends & Family) & my superficial loves (Luxury Goods, Travel & Food - the most important one lol!).  

The UglyDolls serve as an amazing reminder to be true to yourself and that we're all just human!!

Obsessed w/ the mirrored glass subway tiles.  

This would make a gorgeous kitchen backsplash! 

Although now that I think about it would probably be a pain in the butt to keep clear lol!  The fingerprints and smudges!!!  Eeks!

MARK RYDEN!!!

His work is so amazing!

This space is so kitchy and fun if you're ever in Dusseldorf it's worth a stop in for an afternoon pick me up :)

COLOGNE CATHEDRAL

If you're into Pop Art the Ludwig museum right next to the Cathedral and it's pretty amazing (it's the unique metal looking building on the left)

Dim Sum!

Was randomly walking through Hotel Nikko and fell upon this MCM display!!!

Kushi-Tei of Tokyo

One thing I miss from Hawaii is Japanese Izakaya food!

Essentially it's a "drinking establishment" that serves Japanese bar food.  Luckily we were able to find a really delicious one and their menu is HUGE!!!  It sort of looks like a news paper advertisement and was 4 pages long!

Sesame Chicken Wings

Curry Fries

The most PERFECT fries I've ever had in my ENTIRE life.  I don't really know how to describe it but the outside was perfectly crispy and the inside was the perfect amount of potato and consistency.  It was really bizarre but good lol!

Chicken Karrage

Green Onion & Steak, Bacon wrapped Asparagus, Quail Eggs, Yakitori, Chicken Meatballs & Liver

My little family :)

Waygu Beef burger w/ Aged Cheddar & a Fried Egg w/ Onion Rings 

Super rich Semi-sweet chocolate milkshake

I have to say I was never ever really into Chocolate but I realize after moving to Germany it was just because I wasn't into the Chocolate in the US.  European Chocolate is a breed unto itself.  Not too sweet and the flavors are all very delicately balanced.

The colorful little balls were fruity & tart candy pieces!!

Japanese baked goods for the drive home :) 

Bye Cologne & Dusseldorf you've been amazeeee!