haus maus

My Favorite Thing About Living In Europe

2017-06-28T22:45:00.001+02:00

Access. That's my favorite thing.

As much as I value my heritage being American, after living here in northern Germany nearly 8 years, I greatly value being a resident of the European Union just as much. In fact, I am proud that my son has indefinite dual citizenship in both the United States and Germany.

I love easy access to other places, I always like having a way out. I tend to get bored easily by the same things, day in and day out, I definitely have a bit of wanderlust in my personality. There is no cure for it. I'm a true escape artist and thrive on travel and new experiences, and it's also quite necessary for me in my profession. There's not much happening in my industry in Hannover, Germany - that's for damn sure! ha ha!

For me to stay in one country all of my life, in one culture, one language... Well it would mean death creativity and emotionally. I couldn't handle it. I know some people who never leave Germany, and they don't plan to live elsewhere - they barely travel never mind relocate.

Though the overall magic of moving to Europe died several years ago, as newness always wears off after you relocate, what I still find magical about European life is that I can be in a totally new culture in 45 minutes or less by plane and 2 hours by car. I can drive to Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, The Netherlands, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, etc etc etc. And I do! I can fly quickly to all of these places too, for under 150 Euros, sometimes even less, round trip. It's crazy. For what I used to pay for a flight from Boston to New York City, I pay for a flight from Hannover to Istanbul. I even flew to North Africa in 2010 and it was so easy to get there and so affordable.

I remember when I finished writing my first book 6 years ago, I went to Istanbul to celebrate. ISTANBUL. Who does that when you live in New York or LA or Boston? Just go to Istanbul for a long weekend to celebrate something you achieved career-wise because 1) You can and 2) The entire trip was under 500 Euros with hotel and airfare in the best neighborhood in the city.

The access to so much, in such little time, for unbelievably affordable rates, is truly a blessing and I cherish this ability to travel so deeply that this alone will keep me in Europe. I want my son to grow up here and experience this because it's quite honestly, AMAZING. I usually don't talk about this much to my American friends because I can come across as totally arrogant and uppity, but my god, I want to tell them how I don't know how they do it living land-locked in North America. Well, I actually do. You travel to other states and hope it feels and looks different. You hope the Target in LA has better stuff than the Target in Boston. You hope the beaches are nicer (they are). You hope the food in Chicago is a little different from New Orleans (it is). So, to us (me included), that was the extent of our adventures in North America. That's why I spent way too much time in Quebec with my French Canadian friends. It's why I loved going to Mexico. It was a chance to break free from the sameness.

I love my country, and honestly the job opportunities there for me are FAR BETTER than they are over here. It's no ones fault that the United States happens to be so isolated from the rest of the world, so they've created their own universe over there -- like Australia.... But still. I can't live in the states after living here because this kind of access to so much in such a short time is all kinds of exciting.

Living in Europe sorta ruined me. It's like dating that one hot guy who is great in bed and treats you like a queen, brings you beautiful flowers and opens every door. He always smells good and looks even better. He's tall, has gorgeous eyes and nothing negative to say about you because you alone are his princess. He tells everyone how wonderful you are, and when you overhear how he talks about you to others, it makes you feel like the luckiest woman alive.

That guy is Europe. And when you don't have that guy anymore, you are sorta ruined.

I hope this doesn't sound snotty, I don't mean it to be, but I just really love to travel, I adore new cultures and languages, and I love architecture and design so for me, Europe is where it's at.

Next week, I go to Barcelona for a fun vacation with a friend. I have never been to Spain, despite studying Spanish for several years in school in my late teens when I took private lessons from a tutor in Mexico. I love the language but Mexicans are much different from Spaniards, so I wonder how it feels to be around them vs. the Mexicans and South Americans that I am used to living around in the USA. I've heard Spaniards are more proud and not as friendly, but that's the case in all of Europe compared to the states - I'm used to it and don't mind it one bit (anymore). I'm also interested in the food - I know the tapas I eat in Germany at Spanish restaurants (very good!) but I'm sure there is nothing like eating tapas in Spain. It's like when I was in Italy in April, the food there was unreal and I thought I was eating great Italian food in Germany cooked by Italians. Nope.

When I come back, I'll tell you all about Barcelona and my exciting time there. Watch for me visiting the haus maus blog again after the 12th of July...

Until then, how do you feel about travel? Are you also in love with it? Or do you not care to travel often? If you are an expat living in a foreign country, what do you love about your new country that your former country didn't really offer?

xo
Holly

(Photography: Vidal Orga)

Longing vs. Having

2017-06-24T20:31:00.003+02:00

I've been thinking so much lately about my life as an expat and the fact that I've lived in Germany now for nearly 8 years. In fact, August this year will mark my 8th year living full-time in Germany. It's unreal to think back and imagine how different life would be for me if I had stayed in the United States. My mother, who lives in Boston, turns 70 in August so I may go back to spend time with her. That's a big number and certainly must be scary for her as I personally would fear growing older after hitting 65.

I think about retirement and what it will be like someday, when Aidan is all grown up and gone, and I'm just a little old lady. Maybe I'll still be blogging then, who knows.

Can you imagine being a senior using Instagram and blogging? I love the thought of it. Seems like a great way to keep yourself young and involved in life. But I also think that by the time I'm 65 or 70, I may not care about taking a selfie or styling my tabletop for an Instagram photo just-so. I sure as hell won't give a shit about avocado toast or the unicorn trend! ha ha! But enough about retirement and old age. Lets get back on track with expat life.

I wonder, if you are an expat, do you feel your life is better because of it or do you regret leaving your homeland?

I have no regrets at all. None.

Moving abroad was the best decision I've ever made outside of starting my blog (which gave me so much career-wise) and having a child. Those things made my life so, so good and I'm grateful to be living in Germany and to have a chance at life abroad. I doubt I'll ever go back. I think about it from time to time, like maybe going back and this time, living in Southern California or go back home to South Carolina and live in Charleston or my second home, Boston. I miss some things about living in the United States, but I don't miss a lot of the shit happening over there right now and I'm not ready to go back and deal with that every.single.day like my friends are. They write to me frequently complaining and telling me I'm so lucky to be away from that noise. I guess it is a blessing then to be here.

I sometimes wonder if I am missing out somehow by not living in America anymore. If you left the United States, do you ever get this feeling of missing out, also known as FOMO?

Maybe I'd have more work and even more success? Maybe my son would be happier there? Maybe I would be happier raising him American vs. German? I know I'd make a lot more money doing what I do in the United States. But money isn't everything. I also think about moving to another country within the EU, because legally, I totally can. Except the UK (thanks to bloody Brexit. I think mostly of living in south of France. I have always wanted to live in France and study French. I also love Italy and the language as well. If I lived in south of France, I imagine having a stone cottage near the coast, a small design shop with a reading corner and cafe with a large terrace, and letting Aidan grow up near the sea as I did - growing up around the surfers and the sand and the salty air. I miss surfers, sand and salty air so much. I want to entertain outdoors under the stars, a large wooden table, great music and happy friends in my yard.

But now I wonder, are people surfing in France? Because now that I think about it, I don't know if they surf there. I'm from such a surfing culture that I automatically think if you live near a beach you own a surfboard but that is silly and not true.

My childhood was nothing but saltwater days and night walks on the beach. I miss it so much. Part of me died when my family relocated from South Carolina to Boston when I was out of high school. I couldn't get used to New England. For awhile, we lived across the street from the beach and then later, we lived on the beach and then, we had a swimming pool in our yard... But none of this meant anything to me. I missed seeing big waves, surfers, going to pool parties, going to the beach at 3am to watch the giant turtles come on shore to lay their eggs, I just missed southern people, southern life, the casualness of it all. Boston is anything BUT casual.

Aidan LOVES the water. I mean, he loves it. He could be in the water day and night and be happiest. I never thought someone could love water that much. He also loves being in his shorts and t-shirt, messy hair, and putting on a hat in the middle of summer - like a little surfer boy. How does it happen that you give birth to someone and they automatically love a lifestyle that is so dear to you? And we don't even LIVE that lifestyle. Our home is at least 2 hours from a beach. My husband hates shorts and never wears them. Yet our son is a total beach bum. He keeps asking me when I'll take him to the beach again.

Life is funny isn't it? I'm here in Germany, dreaming of living in South of France. But maybe France isn't my destiny. Maybe it's Denmark on the water. Or northern Germany on the water. Or Italy on the water. The sad news is my husband has zero interest in living in a sunny place. He loves the four seasons. And he has no interest in the beach, in fact, he finds sand and laying out sweating and beach life in general deplorable. I love the salty air, being in the sun all day and then showering afterwards (ah no better feeling than a shower after a day at the beach right!?) To me, there is nothing better than beach life.

Nothing at all. And this is where I'm at currently. Should I stay in Hannover forever when my heart longs for the sea?

xo
Holly

(photograph: mick mingle)

Lovelee + My Book

2017-06-22T15:34:00.004+02:00

I was so surprised the other day when my friend Angela sent me a Whatsapp showing a flyer Tchibo has placed in her bag. It had my book on it! I gasped! A new gift box company based out of Hamburg, called Lovlee, sells my book on their website and includes it in part of their birthday box set.

You can order my book, Feierlaune, here and the box it comes in here. My home is throughout this book and shown on the cover and I photographed and styled over 200 pictures that appear in the book. And please forward this post to your friends in Germany in case they'd like a copy too!

It's amazing when these things happen, those little moments you never expect. It's a good feeling. Did you know that since writing on this blog last in 2011, I've written 3 more books? I can't believe it - I wrote and finished 4 books total in the past 6 years (they are all available in German). I'm very proud of this accomplishment. I'm currently working on the 5th.

Thank you Lovlee for carrying my book and for including it in your gift boxes - makes me very happy. No matter how many books I write, each one is special in its own way and any attention they get makes me so, so happy and feels like the first time whenever it happens. So thank you.

xo
Holly

Return of the maus

2017-06-22T11:22:00.002+02:00

The maus is in the haus.

I have decided to return as the haus maus, after hiding away for nearly 4 years, will once again come out now and write on this blog.

I've really missed this sharing space.

And... I have so much to tell you about my expat life in Germany and how I've made it here for so many years... And now with a three-year-old German/American son! You can see me (haus maus) and the kleine maus above in a photo taken before I cut off all of my hair in January.

So the haus maus is back and if you are still out there, and you want to read about my tales, then please join me once again as I write on haus maus regularly again. I will share my stories about living in Germany and Europe in general, the places I go, the shops I enjoy, favorite spots to relax, my city of Hannover, press updates in German publications that I'm in, and more!

If you are STILL out, then please comment below and say hello. I've missed you.

Love,
Holly

(Photo: Thorsten Becker)

My Overwhelming List of Things To Do

2013-11-16T10:42:00.001+01:00

Hello to my dear Haus Maus readers. I hope that you are doing good! Today is Saturday and though it's a dreary day, I'm heading out soon to the farmers' market to meet my friends and then go do some shopping for the baby and to take some photos of our new apartment - so I can share them with all of you! But first, how are you? I hope you are doing well.

I will be 30 weeks pregnant on Monday... Already! I cannot believe it. And we're in the process of moving upstairs two floors so we'll have a sunny apartment with an extra bedroom for the little one. I can't wait! The new hardwood floors in the bedrooms and back hallway are being installed currently and then, all of the walls in the apartment and ceilings, oh and doors, will be painted. It's going to be a very busy time. We hope to have all of the renovations finished by the end of November. Then, in December, we will install two new toilets, a vanity above the bathroom sink, our new kitchen and our 16 pendant lights - slowly, but surely. Once all of the lighting and cabinetry is in place, we can start moving up our personal belongings - though I won't be able to lift or do that much so I'm going to be more in charge in packing/unpacking and decorating.

I also have to start working on the window treatments since we'll need to cover the windows for privacy (in our bedroom, guest bedroom, baby's room and the front two rooms). The rest of the rooms can wait - we currently have only curtains in our bedroom and have lived without window coverings for the past 3 years just fine - but we know the bedrooms will soon need them with a baby coming and my mother traveling over to stay with us for a few months. The windows are all very odd-sized and we have high ceilings, so I most likely have to make curtains myself or have them made - and I'm guessing I'll have them made at this point because I want roman blinds in a few of the rooms and do not have the patience to bother making them - too complicated!

I've put together an Excel spreadsheet - I do have a background as a project manager - so the spreadsheet is keeping me on target. But oh my goodness, there is SO MUCH TO DO.

Does anyone happen to know of a good place in Hannover to have window treatments made (curtains, roman blinds, etc.?)

I wish each of you a beautiful weekend!

xo
Holly

(Photography: Alesia Kazantceva)

Wickeltasche (Diaper Bag) Recommendation?

2013-10-30T16:18:00.000+01:00

Hello haus maus friends! Another thing on my list (well, Excel spreadsheet - yeah, I'm like that!), is that I need a Wickeltasche, or a diaper bag. But PLEASE, not the "Yummy Mummy" ones I've been seeing. I am looking for something stylish and understand without giraffe and bear motifs, please. I found this one, which is cute... Over at Boo Poo but it's out of stock.

So ladies... Any other stylish Wickeltasche in Germany or in the EU/UK that ship here?

xo,
Holly

(photography: imani clovis)

Baby Questions - Help!

2013-10-30T15:16:00.000+01:00

Moms and moms-to-be in Germany, I need some help! Oh, please! Here are a few questions that I know some clever ladies out there can answer for me... So please chime in with your comments below!

* Diapers - I need to know how diapers work in Germany. I mean, I know you can buy disposal ones, but what about the kind that are cloth, that I could have delivered and washed for me OR ones that are cloth that I can buy and wash. And HOW do you wash poopy diapers anyway, isn't this a little, well.... Um, unsanitary?

* Diaper disposal - Can someone suggest where I can dispose of diapers in Germany - is there a specific trash for them because they are plastic (if I go for the plastic disposal bio ones)?

* Diaper disposal units - When you toss a dirty diaper, where do you put it so that it doesn't smell up the house or bedroom? Where do parents generally keep dirty diapers?

* Car seat - Can someone suggest a car seat that I can easily find on Amazon.de? Please!

* Favorite baby bio brands - Anyone want to tell me about their favorite baby brands that are biological? Detergent for clothing, body wash, soaps, shampoos, creams, etc.?

Thank you ladies! :)

(image: paul et paula - a new favorite blog!)

20 Common Pregnancy Fears That May Not Happen

2013-10-28T11:09:00.001+01:00

The moment my pregnancy test was positive, I raced out and bought a second one. I simply couldn't believe it. When THAT test confirmed I was indeed with child, I immediately purchased a digital copy of the American pregnancy bible, "What To Expect When You're Expecting", and read it from cover to cover. I wanted to know everything. I frequented baby websites and forums. I became saturated with one horror story after another. Within a week, I was super burnt out and annoyed and realized that this is all a bunch of crap. Why was I doing this to myself? I deleted the book, stopped looking at forums and most websites (unless they were legit medical websites with actual doctors and nurses authoring their articles), and made an appointment with my Ob/gyn. By the 6th week of pregnancy, I not only saw the baby on the ultrasound but experienced the first sign of pregnancy.

I barfed.

A lot.

In fact, my vomit episodes became so frequent that the doctor ordered I get an IV since I was dehydrated. I lost 20 pounds during the first trimester. Twenty. Pounds. Yeah that was scary. At a time when you want your baby to be nourished, your body won't allow you to keep a single glass of water down for more than 5 minutes. It was terrifying but I kept my faith - I stayed out of forums and off of websites and decided to get a midwife. During our first appointment, I hired her right away because we clicked. She is very no-nonsense. The first thing she told me was, "Stay off the internet, text me instead." That was a good sign. We've been texting ever since. She suggested to up my dosage of magnesium. While it didn't help much in the beginning, after week 18 I stopped vomiting 4-5 x a day.

In fact, I stopped vomiting on a daily basis.

As long as I eat at certain times during the day, even now, I can avoid vomiting and extreme nausea. The moment I feel nausea coming on, I eat something small. During the first 18 weeks when I tried this, it did not work. Nothing worked. My friends told me to try ginger (didn't work), ginger chews (didn't work), sea bands (didn't work), the list went on and on, filled with loving and well-intended suggestions. In the end, only a higher dosage of magnesium helped and TIME. Time helped. And while I just vomited a few times again last week, it's nothing like weeks 6-18 when I was so sick that I couldn't move and was bedridden most of the summer. That sucked. A lot.

Today begins week 27.

I'm in the final week of my second trimester. Week 28 is next week, and that begins the third and final trimester. I can't believe how far I've come and how healthy my baby boy is. He is growing, my belly has popped out, I am gaining weight at a normal pace and life is good for baby and I. I still weigh less than I did when I got pregnant, but that's fine - the baby is healthy and other than my iron being low (I just started taking supplements to help this), I'm good.

You must be asking... At what part of this am I not supposed to fear pregnancy? This part. I want non-moms out there and those who have delayed getting pregnant because of the drama you've heard about it, or due to something you've read, or your own mother's terrible pregnancy, or how your BFF had the worst pregnancy ever that...

NONE OF THAT APPLIES TO YOU.

What I have learned is that pregnancy is a VERY intimate and personal experience. No two pregnancies are alike. Here is a list of COMMON PREGNANCY WOES (some aren't so woeful though) that I've read in books and online (before I decided to stop reading this crap!) and even heard from my doctor that haven't happened to me yet. And if they do happen, I will update this post later on.

1) Your boobs will get ginormous. I already have a very full C cup (I know, I'm lucky!), borderline D, but my boobs are the same size today as they were before. They feel a little fuller some days, but nothing that gives me Victoria's Secret Runway cleavage (without a bra and/or duct tape). I read that you will have the more glorious round boobs in the world when you get pregnant. I had them before, so maybe that's why (grin) but they didn't get bigger. Which was my fear. I didn't want massive boobs that would require a massive bra to put them in. Nope. I'm wearing the same bra today as I did when I got pregnant. I'm sure once my milk comes in, this will change a little, but some of my friends saw major boobage within the first 5 months. I'm nearing month 7 and for me, all is normal in boobland.

2) YOU will get enormous. For me, this hasn't been the case. Yeah, my belly has ballooned but that's to be expected. And yes, I did have extreme nausea for the first 18 weeks, but I've been able to eat normally for the past 8 weeks and the weight isn't piling on. The only weight I've gained is the weight of the placenta and baby and other "stuff" that I'm suddenly hosting in my body but certainly not from too much Ben & Jerry's.

3) Your feet will go up a shoe size. Again, not for me. My shoes still fit the same as they did before.

4) You will become a moody bitch. Not in my case. If anything, I'm more mellow and sweet. I am very zen. I sort of developed a, "I don't give a sh&t" attitude, which I hope sticks long after the baby arrives. It's nice to not care about stuff that before, I would become very passionate over. It's nice to finally have a clear head to be able to pick my battles. I've been very nice to my husband, I'm not irritable, nothing. I've been in a great mood for months, even during my nausea.

5) Your nails will grow fast and beautiful. No, not for me. My nails grow normally. Nothing great here. (Oh well.)

6) Your hair will be amazing. I thought that was happening but it seems my gorgeous locks during the first trimester were more due to my switch in hair product over baby hormones. The minute I changed product, my hair wasn't so interesting. It's growing at a normal rate, it doesn't feel thicker or more mane-like, it's still the same hair.

7) You will have acne or a ton of zits. Nope, my skin is fine. Again, no change there.

8) You will have a crazy "nesting" instinct. Nope. I still love to rearrange my furniture and decorate but nothing out of the norm. I still hate to clean the bathroom.

9) Your back will kill you. Nope. My back is fine. I've had no back pain and this is coming from a girl who suffered from it for years.

10) You will have frequent headaches and/or migraines. I've had one headache, ONE, since I got pregnant. I used to have a headache a few times a week! Getting pregnant took AWAY my headaches. I think this is mostly due to not drinking coffee or alcohol - I think coffee and frequent glasses of sekt were causing those...

11) You will be super constipated. Nope. Plumbing is fine.

12) You will have very vivid dreams. Again, nothing out of the ordinary. I was hoping for those amazing sex dreams my friends told me about, but again, nada.

13) You will have very specific food cravings. Nope, I crave nothing. No pickles or ice cream or crackers. Nothing.

14) Smells, like the smell of coffee, will make you nauseous. Nothing bothers me that didn't bother me before I got pregnant.

15) You will be SUPER hungry all of the time. Nope. I eat three normal-sized meals a day and maybe a piece of fruit for a snack.

16) You will gain a ton of water weight. I haven't retained any water weight. It's been great!

17) Watch out for hemorrhoids! No - I'm all set, none of those either!

18) You will be exhausted during the first trimester. YES. Oh yes, this one was true for me. For the first 18 weeks I was VERY tired and napping constantly throughout the day. I was a total sloth. I remembering feeling REALLY ANNOYED that I had to take a shower each day. Now I'm back to normal.

19) You will have a TON of energy during the 2nd trimester. Again, nope. I have normal energy as I did pre-baby. I was sort of hoping to become an action figure superhero but, nope. I thought it was starting to spike for a minute a few weeks ago, but that was just due to eating too many ginger chews.

20) You may get varicose veins. Nope, veins are fine.

So my dear friends... If you are thinking of becoming pregnant but have heard all of the horror stories out there, please understand that you are unique and your pregnancy will be unique to, so just go with the flow and let nature do its thing. Even during the darkest hours of my vomit fits, I was still HAPPY. And let me tell you, feeling happy and being positive got me through those times.

I don't know what the next 13 weeks will bring for me and my baby boy. Maybe I'll blow up and gain 100 pounds and not be able to walk and I'll have hemorrhoids the size of two basketballs with a set of boobs to match. Perhaps this could all go the opposite direction and I'll be bitching at my husband every second and ordering Chinese take-out 3 times a day to satisfy my voracious cravings for Fried Rice. But so far, so good.

I'll keep ya posted.

xo
Holly

(photography: thorsten becker)

Sweet Handmade Quilt For My Baby Boy

2013-10-21T17:34:00.002+02:00

Hello haus maus friends! I want to show you a quilt that I worked on (I began it awhile ago and just finished) and though I'd love to actually insert the batting, quilt the top and do the binding myself, I am happy to say that I'm outsourcing that to a lovely German lady who will have it ready for me by the end of December. I just don't have the time or patience to hand quilt this plus I don't even know how!

I'm so happy with my quilt though, it measures roughly 174 x 127 so it's a good size but not too big. And it's for my little boy! Now I will have a special quilt that I can lay on the floor or on top of our rugs so he can play and drool all over it as lays there thinking his happy baby boy thoughts. It is special to me that I made this and that I will give it to him as his welcome home present. I plan to wrap it up and give it to him when he arrives in January. I always wanted to give my child a present when they arrive - so in addition to a tour of our home where I'll explain to him where he is, what each room is used for, where mommy and daddy sleep, etc. I will give him this special quilt as his present and take photos of him laying on it so that when he's older, he can see himself so small and cute laying on his handmade blanket.

I already love my little boy. I feel him kicking inside of me right now as I write this and it makes me so happy. I finally understand what the "pregnancy glow" is all about. It comes from inside and radiates through your eyes. It's a beautiful feeling that I've never experienced before. As a journalist, I'm a person who loves to experience everything in life first hand. Being able to experience pregnancy has been the most rewarding thing I've done to date in addition to all of the beautiful countries I've visited, my friends, my sweet husband... This is so unique and definitely a beautiful time in my life.

Here is what the quilt looks like in case you are curious:

The blue leaf/bud fabric will be on the reverse side. All of the fabrics are American. I really love the colors, it's not too masculine and not too feminine, and I really like how vintage-y it looks. I also adore the paisley, bird, leaf and tiny floral patterns. I can't wait to show it to you next time when it's finished AND with my baby playing on top! :)

I hope you are all doing well. So tell me, do you quilt?

xo
Holly

Autumn Thoughts

2013-10-05T14:32:00.000+02:00

It's a rainy autumn day and I've just returned from shopping and lunch in the city. I've arranged a pretty bouquet of flowers, put on some candles and have a few new magazines to relax with but first, I thought to visit my friends here on haus maus. How are you doing? I hope that you are enjoying the early days of the new season and looking forward to all of the things that Autumn brings.

I had pumpkin risotto today with fresh rosemary and was reminded of just how special this time of year is and how much I miss home. The taste of pumpkin always brings me back home to New England where I spent my life as an adult before moving to Germany. Apple picking, strolling through pumpkin patches, enjoying hand-cut cider donuts, hay rides, sipping hot apple cider, Halloween decorations and candy, pumpkin soup, pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks (which is available over here too - a joy!) and pie - I really do miss pie! I only miss living in America in October, isn't that funny? It is a favorite month of mine that I always associate with crisp sunny days and delicious food, friends and cozy New England charm. In Germany it's notably a very rainy season and there are not a lot of seasonal delicacies here in the Fall outside of the typical beer and bratwurst at Oktoberfest which is sold all year long so it's nothing special.

I'm trying to find new things in Germany to love about Autumn and so far, I really love driving into the countryside to observe the sunflower fields that are fading, visit farm stands and take long walks in the nearby Lüneburger Heide - a place we went to just this past Wednesday and had a most lovely time. I also plan to start cooking more of "my foods" in October and November so that I feel a bit more at home because I need the diversity in my diet.

I miss the traditional thanksgiving turkey, it was always a very special time of year for me to enjoy a beautiful turkey dinner with stuffing and gravy, sweet potatoes and roasted veggies, pies and the many other delicious foods of Fall. It's interesting how much of our culture is based around food isn't it? And when we are not around those familiar foods anymore, how quickly we can feel isolated and even homesick for our old life. I don't feel homesick any other month of the year except for October - it's been this way now for the past four years that I've lived in Germany. I just ride the wave of this emotion and refuse to let it get me down but at the same time, I also don't do much to change it. I guess I'm a bit stuck.

I wonder if other expats living abroad often have these periods of feeling homesick? I don't always look for ways to overcome these feelings because I think it's healthy to just experience them without always trying to "fix" ourselves or numb ourselves. I don't mind feeling a bit melancholic about it. But I also wonder what I could do to make October special again as it used to be? If you are living far from home, do you have recurring periods each year where you wish you could fly home for a few days?

xo
Holly

Hildesheim Shopping Tips

2013-08-29T11:50:00.005+02:00

Hi friends! I like to occasionally post about things I find here in Germany that catch my eye so today I want to tell you about a few that my local expat friends may want to know about, too.

First, Hildesheim. Do you know it? It's a small city located just south of Hannover, about 25 minutes by car. It definitely isn't a place I'd ever suggest for vacationing - but the old part of the city, though tiny, is beautiful and they have a great Christmas market there each year.

BUT.

For some completely unknown reason, Hildesheim has recently been getting all of the good shops.

Back in 2009, I wrote and tweeted that I wished HEMA, a wonderful Dutch shop, would open in Hannover. I wrote to the company and everything. I wrote again in 2010 and 2011. A few years later, last year, they opened in....

Hildesheim.

Same happened with Dunkin' Donuts. I love their iced coffee and okay, I do like their donut "holes" and really miss Boston Cremes now and then. But mostly Dunkin' Donuts tastes like Boston and "home" to me and when you're an expat the stuff you never expect to miss haunts you in your sleep. So I wrote to Dunkin' Donuts and tweeted about it and well, you get the picture, and BOOM! They just opened a few days ago their first shop in this entire state and it's where?

Hildesheim.

A third shop, Danish brand TIGER, is another great shop. I've never tweeted or emailed them or anything about opening here but when I found out they were coming to this part of Germany to open a store I immediately imagined Hannover! Yay! Nope. They opened up shop in...

Hildesheim.

Are you seeing a pattern? Yeah, me too.

So what's up Hannover? Why are these nice stores that would thrive in Hannover going to Hildesheim? For any lovely Hildesheimers reading this blog post, I'm sorry... But you must also wonder right, I mean you must get my point? We have so many young people and universities here where shops like Hema and Tiger would be soooo much appreciated by these students.

Well the good thing is this: Hildesheim is close enough for me to get there by car or train so I can go to Dunkin' Donuts, Tiger or Hema whenever I please. The last time I was at Hema though was last December because honestly, "out of sight out of mind". I do all of my shopping either in Hannover, London or on Amazon/online these days. But if Hema and Tiger were in Hannover I would go constantly. It's a convenience thing, right?

So there you have it, my friends - three shops to visit if you are local, don't mind driving and want to find really great stuff... And okay, some donuts to munch on too. Enjoy!

xo,
Holly

(photography: toa heftiba)

I Have a Hebamme!

2013-08-24T11:32:00.005+02:00

I have a Hebamme! A what? For non-German speakers out there, a Hebamme is what Americans will know by the term Midwife. I feel like shouting this very good news from the rooftops today because I'm feeling so happy and lucky to have found one - a great one - on the first try. So here's how it all began.

First. I have an ob/gyn that I don't like. At all. She was fine for the basic pap smear and bi-annual visits, but now that I'm pregnant she's just not "there" for me. As a result, I've spent the first 17 weeks of my pregnancy online googling stuff WHICH IS NEVER A GOOD IDEA. The internet is full of people who are not qualified to give medical advice who give medical advice like they are experts. Most expectant moms in forums are drama queens and scare the HELL out of you with every ache and pain meaning something traumatic and life-threatening. The web is loaded with horror stories about pregnancy, birth and beyond. I'm sure a few safe harbors exist, but I'm not interested in communicating with total strangers when I'm seeking medical advice.

Ok. So the one positive thing my doctor did was when she recently gave me a pamphlet listing local hebammes. I didn't know what that word even meant - she didn't bother explaining - so I went home and of course, GOOGLED it (like I did everything else pregnancy-related until now). I quickly learned about the German midwifery programs that exist here and how my insurance covers it 100% and that I need to find one ASAP. So I did more digging around and found a lady who is my age and who studied in Germany (she's German) but also London and did some of her midwifery training there in a London hospital. She lives in Hannover now and speaks fluent English and German - SCORE! Because honestly, no matter how much German I learn, I want this whole pregnancy process to be explained to me in English so I don't miss anything.

After finding her, I sent a quick intro email and within a few weeks, we chatted back and forth and I booked a coffee date with her and my husband at a local cafe yesterday. A few minutes into our conversation, I KNEW she was the person I wanted to work with. Really straight to the point, non-emotional but still warm and sweet, very professional and absolutely the type of woman that I want exploring this intimate journey with me. After all, the person who will introduce me to breast feeding and answer vagina questions (ha ha) needs to be someone that I feel comfortable with!

I "hired" her on the spot and she willingly accepted. It was a beautiful moment to not only like her but know that she also liked me. She stamped my "mutterpass" and she will now work with my insurance company - I don't have to pay her, the insurance company handles everything. What a relief! I've decided that I will still go to my monthly checkups with the ob/gyn because she does blood work, measuring, ultrasounds, etc. but my hebamme will be my wingman. And boy, did I need a wingman with my mother-in-law speaking mostly German and my mother living so far away in Boston and NONE of my friends are pregnant (or have been recently)....

She also makes me laugh - and that's more than my ob/gyn does. She told me STAY OFF THE INTERNET when I told her that I google stuff about pregnancy. She will be my new google. I feel relieved already.

The way it will work is that she'll come to my home (yes!) and check up on me as we book appointments - so she'll come between now and the time I deliver. Then, when I deliver (she doesn't deliver babies after this month), she will step in the moment I get home and she will come to my house (yes!) EVERY DAY for the first 10 days to help me with breastfeeding, baby care and questions, etc. How thrilled am I!? Very. THEN, after those 10 days, she can come (fully paid by the insurance) for up to 16 more visits during the first 6 months or so as needed. She also said that starting now, I can call, text or email her with questions anytime. How comforting!

I also found out through her that my insurance also covers classes that you can take to learn about baby care and fitness/exercise classes after I deliver. My plan covers my hospital stay with the baby and even my husband can stay overnight if we elect to get a private room - for a full 14 days. I mean, seriously? Now I know why people tell me that having a baby in Germany is the best. With a program like this, how can you complain?

So that's my hebamme story. I'll tell you more as time goes by but for now - I'm just so happy to have a co-pilot in all of this. I feel so incredibly happy and lucky since meeting her. I really needed someone to talk to AND NOT mommy forums and pregnancy websites!

Are you pregnant in Germany? Are you using a hebamme too? What has been your experience?

xo,
Holly

Baby Updates

2013-08-20T15:08:00.000+02:00

Hello friends! So I think haus maus is going to turn into the baby maus blog for awhile. Or I guess you can say a more family-oriented expat blog. Which I'm happy to do because I was getting really bored here, barely posting, and didn't feel at all inspired to write. Now that I have a baby coming, I feel NOTHING BUT inspired to write on haus maus because this is the stuff I don't want to share on decor8. decor8 is focused on decorating and creativity and the last thing I want for it to become is a mommy blog because that's not the direction I'm looking to go in career-wise. So haus maus is officially a blog about me, my husband, our expat life AND now... having a baby (and raising one) in Germany. How's that?!

photo: vogue magazine

Okay so let's see... Where to begin. I will start by just answering some questions that have been arriving in my inbox and over on Facebook lately.

How far along am I?
Today is August 20 and I'm at week 17 of my pregnancy.

How do you feel?
I feel so good - I am not 100% Holly yet but I'm definitely moving around, eating light, exercising regularly and seeing my friends and going out every few days.

I heard you were really sick, what happened?
I was on bed rest from weeks 6-16 and lost 20 lbs (12 kilos), so yes, I was sick! But I didn't have standard morning sickness... It was extreme. I was dehydrated, in and out of the doctor's office and absolutely useless for 10 weeks - couldn't eat, clean, do laundry, cook... Nothing. I was in bed exhausted, throwing up every second and unable to do anything at all - I couldn't even work on my laptop or computer because sitting upright made me so incredibly ill. What I went through was debilitating - though I wasn't depressed AT ALL which shocked me because everyone said that depression is common during the first trimester if you get really ill. So that is the good part.

How did you manage your home and career?
Thank goodness my husband is such a champ and was there for me each day running errands and managing our home. It also happened when our house cleaner took her summer vacation back to Poland so for 10 weeks we had no cleaning help. In fact, she came back today for the first time since June. When the doorbell rang, I hugged her and wanted to kiss her feet. It was the happiest moment to see her face and have that domestic help again after watching my husband maintain everything for 10 weeks straight. As for my career, I had about 1 hour each day when I could sit up and move. So I would take that hour to shower, turn on my computer and blog one post, read some emails and then quickly head straight back to bed.

Do you like being pregnant?
Now that I'm back to normalcy again, YES I love it! I can actually ENJOY being pregnant for the moment. And I can talk about being pregnant in Germany as an expat and all of the ups and downs in addition to my nursery decorating ideas and the products I may need your help with here on haus maus so I hope you are in for the wild ride. :)

Are you having a boy or a girl? Do you have a preference?
We will find out in September - the moment we know I'm going to post about it on decor8! I don't have a preference either way - I just want to have a healthy baby - to me, that's the greatest blessing. Gender isn't important to me at all. On one side I'd LOVE a baby boy because it will get me into colors and styles and "things" that I haven't explored yet. It will also help me to learn more about boys and behavior and things I'm curious to know that I already know about with girls. On the other side, having a girl would be more affordable because all of my craft things and lots of my decorating stuff could be used much better by a girl than a boy. I also think with a girl, I could really go all out with dressing her up and I have so many dolls and things I've collected over the years that I would love to pass onto a daughter. Also with a girl, she could wear the first dress home from the hospital that I wore at birth - a creamy yellow dress that I still have and cherish. But again, either way I will be completely IN LOVE with my child regardless of gender.

How are YOU doing? Anyone out there pregnant, planning to get pregnant or who just had a baby? I'd love to know!

xo,
Holly

A Baby Maus Is On The Way!

2013-08-05T10:54:00.001+02:00

If you aren't a regular over at decor8, you may not have heard the news, but this haus maus is having a baby maus! Yes, I'm 15 weeks pregnant and we are due in January. I'm so excited and I'm already anticipating the meeting of my little one though I still have many months of waiting until that special day. We won't know the sex until a few more weeks, I think maybe week 17 or 20, depending on when I get another ultrasound -- but I'm in no hurry. I just want a happy, healthy child - gender makes no difference to me. I am thrilled either way.

Whenever I open my purse lately and my Mutterpass appears, I feel so warm and happy inside. I always smile and often open it just to flip through the pages and look at the ultrasound photos and enjoy that feeling of joy that washes over me each time. If you aren't German, you may not know what a Mutterpass is. I didn't until I was pregnant! We don't get these in America (too bad) but here they are given to all pregnant ladies and you should always carry it on you. It records all of your pregnancy details (height, weight, blood type and other vitals) as well as doctor information, appointments and everything from blood test results (since you are constantly going to the ob/gyn) to labor information when the big day arrives.

It's such a wonderful and clever little laminated booklet to always have on you - it's a5 size and around 32 pages, but still lightweight and easy to tote around. Plus, if you are even in need of quick help or encounter a medical emergency, having the Mutterpass on you is absolutely vital. I also love that I always have my medicial informaion on ME and not housed in some doctor's office or hospital - after all, it is my body, I have the right to having all of the most current information about me and my baby at my fingertips.

The Mutterpass is wonderful!

Now if I can just get through this Hyperemesis Gravidarum!

(Photographs: top: danielle macinnes bottom: holly becker)

Enjoying Summer?

2013-07-31T08:53:00.003+02:00

Hello friends! I hope that you are doing well and enjoying summer so far. We've had a beautiful season here in Hannover and today begins three weeks of Maschseefest! It's a big party in downtown Hannover near the new town hall that is pretty much non-stop, day and night, for 21 days set around a glistening man made "see" or "sea" but as we Americans would say, "big lake".

I love the maschsee and enjoy it year round but especially during fest time because it's brimming with live concerts, djs, clubs for dancing, clubs for lounging, restaurants you can sit down and dine in, others you can grab a bite and keep walking, cocktail huts, pubs... It's wonderful. Last year I spent a lot of time there with many of my friends and vowed this year to go more because it's such a great environment. So festive!

Everything else in my life is going really well. I have some organizing and decorating to do this Fall in my guest bedroom and living room, okay and also my work area, so stay tuned because I'll share all of that here on Haus Maus and keep my blog doors open a little longer over here and take this blog into the new year.

Are you enjoying your summer so far? What are you doing? If you are local (or can be), come to Hannover for Maschseefest, it's the BEST.

xo,
Holly

(photo by holly becker for haus maus)

Should this maus have a second haus?

2013-07-17T16:08:00.000+02:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about haus maus and the future of this blog. What is the purpose for me to write here now that I've been living in Germany for nearly 4 years? I documented my apartment search, explained how I've decorated both of my apartments, dished over the things I've encountered culturally, and lots of stuff in between but I wonder... Does all this really benefit anyone and most of all, is it benefiting me?

So I am willing to try writing here for another 6 months, until the new year, and see how it goes and then, if it's not feeling right anymore, I will dissolve this blog and just write everything over on decor8. I've been blogging in this space since May 10, 2008 - so I just had my 5th anniversary for the little haus maus! Which is really nice... But since so many people follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Google+ and Twitter, I often feel like I'm in enough places on the web - I don't really need haus maus too. How much Holly does this world need?

Yet when I look back at my archives I feel a sense of pride from documenting this journey of expat living abroad for so long. It feels good to me so I'm happy I've had haus maus. But I just wonder if I should stay or should I go... Should I move on...

xo
Holly

My Balcony Is Finished!

2013-05-12T19:44:00.003+02:00

I'm happy to report that my city balcony is finished! Here is the before and after - the before shot was taken right after I picked up flowers to add to the balcony...

Here is what I did and the flowers that I used... After scrubbing the surface and interior of the balcony "walls", I potted all of my flowers. Because the railing for the flower boxes is metal and rounded at the corner, you cannot put flower boxes that wrap around (sadly), so I had to buy 3 flower boxes facing the street and gray pots for the rest. I wanted zinc but I had a hard time finding zinc planters that drain and I really needed planters that drain. The cool thing about the flower boxes that I found is that they have water meters in them so you can always check to see if your plants and flowers are well hydrated (or not).

After potting everything with flower soil, I cleaned up the big mess of dirt that was everywhere (and on me!) and then washed the balcony surface again. Later, I added the plastic bright pink and white rug that I bought a few months ago at a shop in Hannover called Kiwi.

I then tipped an IKEA wooden basket upside down to act as a small corner plant stand, and potted geraniums in a terra-cotta pot and placed those in the corner of the balcony on top of the wooden basket. I tipped a zinc bucket upside down to make another plant stand, and topped that with a planter I had (that I nearly threw out) and in it, I planted Schneeflocke - or Schleifenblume. In English, this white flowering plant is known as Iberis or Candytuft. Germans use this as a digestive tonic but it has also been known to be quite medical in other ways - used in large doses in the past to treat gout and rheumatism! You can also get a little "high" from it, and it can give you diarrhea. So it may not be something you'd want around if you have a cat that likes to chew on plants and flowers!

I then cleaned the bench very well and placed that back on the rug, topping it with 3 seat cushions from Strauss Innovation that I picked up last week (and really loved) because they remind me of Indian block prints. Really pretty and comfortable to sit on. I also added a candle in a pretty white metal candle holder for the evenings when I want something pretty to glow outside while I'm sitting there but I'm thinking it will mostly be used as decoration more than actual "use".

The flowers that you see around the railing are mixed - geraniums, schöterich with it's pretty yellow flowers (known in English as Wallflower or Erysimum and is native to this part of the Europe and also Asia), teppichglockenblume (Serbian bellflower, trailing bellflower which is native to the Dinaric Alps in former Yugoslavia) and the schleifenblume (Iberis/Candytuft).

I also bought 3 lavender plants and put them in a 4th window box (not photographed) that I'll put on my bench since I'm not always sitting outside and the spot is perfect for lavender - plus I'm hoping to attract a few honeybees! :) I'm so happy I straightened up my little balcony. It's nice out there now and makes me smile when I look outside (versus before, it made me feel a bit gloomy!).

Have a nice weekend and a beautiful mother's day to all of the lovely mamas reading this blog. :)

xo, Holly

(photos: holly becker)

Prop Shopping

2013-05-11T17:09:00.000+02:00

Hello little haus maus ladies! How are you today? I am doing great! I have loot to share... Ok so I took this random drive out to the countryside and ended up in a garden shop (naturally) and wow, I hit the props jackpot and it was totally unexpected. I'm currently sourcing for props for book #3, which we begin shooting soon in Hannover, so I was thrilled to stumble upon things that I had on my list to buy. I particularly love the glass hanging birds for for only €2,99 each and the super nice cloches made in Spain with recycled glass. Aren't they gorgeous? They are thick too, not the typical cloches that are thin and flimsy. When the book comes out next Spring, you'll have to remember this post and then flip through the book to see where and how these lovely things were used...

Snapshots of my loot:

Cloches made in Spain out of 100% recycled glass with a wooden base.

White wooden tray with handles - love the separate compartments. I have ideas for this!!!

Blown glass shaped like a birdie to hang with a small hole for popping in a fresh bloom. I picked up 3 because well, this little guy needed friends!!!

I couldn't believe how affordable they were!

Some zinc buckets with pretty wooden handles - I purchased 3 - one is already on the balcony!

Find any surprise goodies lately in a random place?

(images: holly becker)

Balcony Spruce Up: Progress Report

2013-05-06T14:35:00.002+02:00

Progress baby, progress! OK so I took 24 geraniums and repotted them all until I can buy flowerboxes for my balcony - I DO NOT LIKE the way it looks now, all of these crazy plastic pots, but my flowers needed to be potted quickly because they were fading fast so I placed them where they can get sun and be happy until their new condos arrive. So for now this is what the balcony looks like.

I scrubbed the floor, scrubbed the bench and the walls, and cleaned the windowsill (which you cannot see) and the window edging, so everything is super squeaky clean out there. I love clean stuff.

Next comes flower boxes (German: "Blumenkasten") - I want some that are zinc (German: "verzinkt") so I can replant my flowers (again), then I'll add a rug and other decorative elements and add some cushions for the bench and that should be about it for now.

I was going to put a cute table and chairs out there but honestly, I never eat on this balcony or entertain (too tiny) and it's too small for a lounger... AND since the street and subway are directly in front of my house, I don't really rest in this space! But I do take my iPad out there in the summer and surf a little and enjoy the city sounds and sunshine. I have two 3-season porches off of the back of the house facing a green backyard (we are a street over from the forest), so I get to rest and relax on those porches. The front balcony is more for a quick dose of sunshine and fresh air, and since it is off of my workrooms, it's the perfect afternoon retreat when I'm working and need a break. So I think the bench will stay. I like it and I even like the color - minty green - so I'm going to enjoy what I have instead of always buying new stuff.

So far, so good. Here is a photo of what it looked like last Tuesday.

How are your outdoor spaces sprucing up?

(image: holly becker for haus maus)

Easy Organic Fruit/Veggie Smoothie (if you don't own a juicer)

2013-05-06T13:45:00.002+02:00

I'm thinking to buy a juicer. My friends, Julie and Leslie, have only been telling me to get one for 3 years and finally I'm listening because I want to try some ideas that I have for juice making. Until I find the right one, I'm either chopping things up tiny size and throwing them into my blender, which is working fine but time consuming, or I'm cheating and using organic juices from the store pre-made. I'd love to chop less and throw things in a bit more whole - like a celery stalk, a whole carrot, etc. so having a kick butt juicer is my ultimate goal but for now, I'm doing what I can to incorporate more vitamins into my diet so I'm working with what I have. This is a yummy veggie/fruit juice I made today and as a power girl bonus, I threw in some vanilla-flavored protein powder so I can bounce around the city today feeling great as I go out on the prowl for my new balcony flower boxes.

This juice requires NO chopping or cutting. I just used organic pure juices with zero ingredients other than fruits and veggies. It's a very easy way to whip up a yummy vitamin-packed lunch without chopping fruits and veggies for an hour and hey, it may not be as perfect as using whole veggies and fruits BUT it's still great for you so who really cares. You do what you can and use what you have!

Fill 3/4 of a normal drinking glass with equal parts of these three juices:
* Beet Juice (bio brand from Rewe)
* Carrot Juice (bio brand from Rewe)
* Triple Purple Smoothie by True Fruits (a mix of: bombeere, heidelbeere, johannisbeere, himbeere, orange, banane und apfel)

If you like you can add:
* Fresh lemon squeezed in - about 1 tablespoon
* Vanilla protein powder (2 tablespoons) - you can get it anywhere, I use gluten-free, sugar-free.

And blend, baby, blend! That's it!

That's it. And bonus points if you can relax by a window sipping with a pretty black and white polka-dot straw and a nice magazine by your side. Those little extras make a liquid lunch feel extra emotionally satisfying.

Have a nice day!

(photo: holly becker for haus maus)

Healthy Posts on Haus Maus!

2013-05-05T17:57:00.002+02:00

Eating healthy is important. I've recently changed my lifestyle completely and it's amazing how you feel brand new in such a short period of time and how your outlook changes when you skip the comfort food and go for the FUEL foods instead.

I've been loading up on raw foods, mostly organic, and traded in soy and regular milk for almond milk. This is the first time I've approached food for health reasons and not for my looks. I'm not thinking about dieting or weight or anything that makes me feel like I've finished before I start. I'm ONLY focusing on HEALTH - feeling amazing and just glowing even more than I do now from my career - I want to glow from food and nutrition.

This is an organic omelet from zurück zum glück in Hannover and it was stuffed with veggies - cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, onions, etc. and garnished with cherry tomatoes and greens with light olive oil. Fresh mint tea was a lovely accent. We try to eat out only on Sundays so this was our choice for the week.

It was super nice to just relax in a cute cafe and have healthy choices on the menu that make you feel alive after you've eaten them and not weighed down and uncomfortable. My nutritionist has really helped me change my lifestyle and I have her to thank for this - and my husband who is so healthy and started strength training last July and looks amazing - what a great body he has and his goals for his abs and arms are super inspiring to me - I love living with my fit husband. He's a cyclist - as in die hard cyclist, which is also an inspiration. I enjoy having a fit, active partner and I want to be fit and active again too because I've learned that you can turn around bad habits so quickly and change yourself so easily that you just can't see the obstacles - you have to plow through them and WHOMP!WHOMP! kick ass.

Do you want to GLOW with me? Good. I will keep writing encouraging and health-related posts on haus maus along with the usual stuff so we can all GLOW together. :)

xo
Holly

Sunday Plants at the Hannoversche Pflanzentage!

2013-05-05T17:16:00.000+02:00

I'm so glad I made time to go out to the Hannoversche Pflanzentage! It was in our city park, Hannover Stadtpark (Stadt means City), and was unbelievably beautiful. I took loads of photos with my Canon but a few with Instagram which you can see below. The weather has been absolute perfection - finally NO jackets and sandals - Yay!

After browsing over 85 booths (!) filled with everything from exotic plants to live fish and water plants, to bonsai and many gorgeous varieties of protea... my husband and I walked through the Zoo district, and then had a late organic lunch at Zuruck Zum Gluck and finally, walked through the forest and came home. We only live 1.6km from the Stadtpark, so we just walked and it was wonderful to be out and active. The best part is, we walked 7.5km total so we got loads of great exercise. Love that.

I'm happy that in the past two days, I walked 13.5km - that's 8.38 miles. I'm really proud of myself, I felt like I barely moved between January - this weekend - it's been so cold and terrible - so I'm ready for a really active summer and autumn. BRING IT.

Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday! And by the way... the photo of the tile was taken from a shop window, I leaned against the glass - I LOVE old German tile and hope to have my entry tiled like this someday. Also, see that house? That is my dream house. I dream of buying it. It is currently loved and lived in by a big family who seems to be staying for awhile but I tell ya, the second a FOR SALE sign pops up I'm going to do whatever it takes to buy it. Unless I find another dream house by then. We'll see - I want to buy a home here so bad but it's been hard finding what we both love IN Hannover - we don't want to live outside of the city - and we're hoping to either live in List or Zoo. Fingers and toes crossed for this dream to come true. I want an old house I can fix up and bring my Holly style to with a small backyard for a veggie/herb garden, English-style flower garden and a patio for eating outside and a little shed for gardening... We'll see! :) I have to keep working hard to afford my dream, but let's see if I can make it.

(photos: holly becker)

Summer Time + The Eating Is Easy

2013-05-04T19:59:00.002+02:00

The weather has been beautiful so today I took a 6km walk and then went to the grocery store because I was so hungry after being active for so long... So I bought lots of heathy foods, came home, put on cozy clothes and made a big organic shrimp salad.

It was simple - just mixed greens, organic shrimp, olive oil, sea salt, ground black pepper, fresh lemon and a big glass of sparkling water. Some fresh local strawberries became my dessert and now I'm ready to go back outside and enjoy the night air... I'm so happy summer is here. Meal prep is so much easier with loads of fresh produce everywhere and with gorgeous sunny days, you WANT to eat like a rock star, you WANT to feel great.

What did you do today?

(images: holly becker)

Dot Com Gift Shop

2013-05-02T23:29:00.002+02:00

Many of my Haus Maus readers ask me where I shop and if I would consider posting more frequently about places to shop online in Germany (or outside of Germany with shipping here that is reasonable), so I'm going to give it a try. I was posting lots of shops but then I flaked out on you (sorry) so I'll do my best to be Holly Helpful once again.

See these cute things? They are from a shop I think you'll like called the Dot Com Gift Shop. It's in England but they ship to Germany for only £4,95 which I think is a very fair price. I haven't ordered from them yet but they have lots of cute stuff so check them out. A few of my favorites are shown above and here are the links to everything you see:

Where do you shop for cute home stuff and clothes online? I'd love to know your resources too, so please share!

xo,
Holly

Balcony Spruce Up

2013-04-30T19:39:00.000+02:00

It's finally spring, though a jacket is still needed during the day and definitely at night as it feels like freakin' winter again after 8pm, but I'll take whatever season this is because I know it's NOT winter and that's good enough for me. What a LONG winter. Ugh.

Today I was in the mood to spruce up my balcony, but time got away from me, so when my cleaning lady came I decided since she was cleaning my work studio anyway, that it was time for me to step away from the computer and go OUTSIDE. I asked my husband if he felt like going out to get some flowers so we took the car out to this massive home store and picked up 24 geraniums, some soil and a really sturdy outdoor broom so tomorrow I can get started on my project. It felt good plopping these flowers on my bench, it already looked better out there. Here it is in it's current shabby depressive state...

I know, not pretty, but that's wintertime balconies for ya. I'll show you what I end up doing to it in a few days so stay tuned because if you have a tiny balcony you may be inspired by what I'm able to do with my mini space.

Are you sprucing up a balcony or outdoor space at the moment? Tell me your plans for it...

(images: holly becker)