Welcome Back!

I did promise I would return ;-) 

So here I am on the other side of the world blogging from our new home. So much has happened since we left Germany in early December. I think this has been one of the most emotional times I have ever experienced. 

Joys and Sadness so closely interlinked. 

Saying goodbye to my family and friends in Germany has been heartbreaking but then we've had the most wonderful welcome here in Christchurch and I feel deeply happy about being back here.

After two wonderful weeks with my mother-in-law (thank you Jane!) we have shifted into our new house yesterday - just in time to celebrate the start of a New Year.

I am so excited to turn this house into a home. We chose location and size over style so there is a lot for me to do to turn this ugly duckling into a pretty swan ;-) 

I will also be blogging a little about life in New Zealand for those back in Germany interested in a slice of the kiwi lifestyle.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful start to the New Year!

Tschüss...

And we're off... almost

Hello friends! I am sitting in utter chaos with boxes piled up around me. Our shipping container arrives in a few days and then it's only a few weeks until we board our plane to New Zealand.

Although I should be getting pretty experienced with moving countries - this time feels quite different. 

With two kids in tow the whole effort of moving turns into a logistical mammoth exercise. 

How did we accumulate so much stuff after only 2 1/2 years in Germany? 

People keep asking me how I feel - quite honestly I don't think I even have time to feel anything right now. Everything will probably sink in when I take my seat on the plane and finally stop moving for 24 hours. 

I am really looking forward to all the new opportunities in New Zealand. Moving into a new home is really exciting and I can't wait to create a home for my family once again.

I will of course keep you all up to date with our progress of finding a house in Christchurch. Which in itself could prove to be quite a challenge but one I am more than happy to tackle head on.

 Tschüss...

(images: Nina Lamb)

Impressions from Basel

This morning the boys and I went for a stroll through the old town of Basel. The Rhine feels so different here than at home - a lot narrower and calmer. 

I enjoyed exploring the beautiful cathedral and buying fresh produce at the market outside the stunning red town hall. Only the prices made me flinch ;-)

The boys' feet got tired after a while so we boarded the old green trams. I felt transported back in time watching the beautiful architecture from aboard the old rattling streetcars.

Tschüss...

(images: Nina Lamb)

Home away from home

Helloooo???? Do you remember me? Sorry for the long absence. Things have been beyond crazy around here. We are due to move out in three weeks and instead of packing up we are on a quest to travel to as many places in the shortest space possible - mainly to say goodbye to friends and family scattered around Europe and also because there is a sense that once we're back in good old New Zealand we'll be kinda stuck there for a while because lets face it - it's a long and expensive way from anywhere else...

Today I want to share a great website which provides an alternative to staying in boring hotels. Airbnb is a global network of accommodation offered by locals. Living in someone's home while visiting New York, Shanghai or London is the closest thing to feeling like a local and really getting a feel for a place don't you think? 

What do you think? Could you imagine renting any one of these apartments while on holiday? Each home has so much personality and I would love to imagine what kind of person lives there. How much fun would it be slipping into these people's lives for a few days - drinking coffee in their local cafe, looking through their book collections and taking home ideas and inspirations for your own home.

Next time I will give you some updates on our big move and until then I will be exploring Basel in Switzerland - while my husband is here for a conference. 

Tschüss...

(images: airbnb)

Autumn Decorations

I've got a nasty cold and have been stuck inside the house unable to enjoy this glorious autumn weather. Fortunately I decorated our house a little last week and was able to enjoy the things we collected from our visit to the forrest. 

I think the hardest thing about being a mother is not being able to call in sick and being forced to soldier on looking after the kids when all you want to do is curl up in bed and rest. Well, it's been pretty chaotic at our place this week but it's lovely having a little corner in your home that you can walk past and take delight in even when everything else is a little out of control. 

The black cabinet in our dining room is the spot I decorate frequently and the best thing: it's not within the boys' reach. Do you have a spot in your home that you pay particular attention to and that provides you with a sense of calm even when chaos rules?

(images: Nina Lamb)

By Nord's Hanne Berzant's home

While I was sitting down with a cup of well deserved coffee recovering from a morning of cleaning, ironing and washing windows, I stumbled across this beautiful apartment owned by Hanne Berzant and her family. Hanne and her husband are the founders of By Nord, a hugely popular danish lifestyle & interiors brand. On their Facebook page they share glimpses into their stunning Copenhagen apartment - including some of their latest products. 

(images: Morten Holtum via By Nord's Facebook page)

Decorating with Apples

Although we've had beautiful sunny days this week, there's a definite feel of the change of season - the air feels fresh and crisp. I'm out with my boys every day and the slightly cooler temperatures suit as well. I feel a lot more energized now than during the heat of summer. 

Today we collected some tiny apples that had fallen of the trees along our walk to kindergarten. They're really too small to do anything with other than decorate the house.

I made an apple wreath by "threading" them all on a wire. You could hang the wreath on the outside of your door or use it as an autumn centerpiece like I did. 

Thank you for your lovely comments on my last post. I feel excited to be blogging from the other side of the world before too long. I no doubt will have lots to show and tell when we embark on yet another adventure - the biggest one being finding a new home in poor old Christchurch.

Tschüss...

(images: Nina Lamb)