Elisa

The very first time Sascha and I went out wasn’t a date – it was an evening out with a group of friends. I can’t remember if we had gone to the movies or if it was after an important presentation; I don’t remember all the details, but I do remember that after dinner that evening he ordered a banana split, and proceeded to eat the whole thing. I didn’t know at the time, but Sascha doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth (well, not compared to me anyway), but that is one of his favorite desserts... Read Full Story

Ah, V-Day. Some call it the most romantic day of the year, others say it’s a made-up holiday mostly blamed on Hallmark (which is actually not true – Saint Valentine was a Christian martyr, tortured and killed for secretly marrying soldiers to their sweethearts before they went to war). Love it or hate it, it’s here. And you’ll probably have a hard time escaping the heart-shaped candy and chocolate, the pink and red decorations, the lovey-dovey cards and posters. So you might as well embrace... Read Full Story

I have come down with the flu, so I have more time than usual to think about random stuff… like how to celebrate Valentine’s Day! It falls on a week day – not only that, but on a day when I have a course, which means I need to leave the house just as Sascha is getting home. Usually I leave dinner ready, but this coming Tuesday I’d like to leave a few Vday-inspired goodies as well. I already have the classics ready: a box of Lindt praline with a lovely card… but how about something fun... Read Full Story

I hate winter. Ok, maybe I don’t hate it hate it… except when I do. Like now. After a relatively mild holiday season, temperatures have taken quite a dive in Switzerland (in all of Europe in fact), and now it is really, really cold outside! So cold that as a result I have been kind of wishing I was a bear, so I’d have an excuse to stuff my face for several days and then go on a looooong nap, but not before saying “See ya! Wake me when spring comes!” Failing that, I have been anxiously and... Read Full Story

When I first visited Mackenzie’s  blog a few weeks ago, it was love at first sight. Not only does she have impeccable taste (and she really does!) but there is a charming, down-to-earth quality to her writing that really draws you in. Her posts are gorgeous, and she never comes across as pretentious or better-than-you; she is just a lovely girl who likes lovely things, and who happens to be really good at what she does. Innately fabulous, gracious and more than capable to inspire, she was a... Read Full Story

In my living room, I have a New York shelf. It is home to books and TV series taking place in NYC, as well as a framed black & white photo of a lovely corner of Central Park and a paper diorama my friend Jax brought me when she visited last May. I have been wanting to go back to New York ever since I left. I vowed to return within a year, but our Spain vacation cut right  into the time I had scheduled for my trip, and at the thought of walking aimlessly through Barcelona and exploring the... Read Full Story

Traveling: no actual traveling this month, but definitely some travel inspiration . Wearing: believe it or not… beige . Craving: sunshine, warmth…   yellow . Also, statement necklaces  and the Jason Wu for Target collection! Loving: studs, iPhone apps, glittery keys… among other things . Oh, and this dress. Resolving: to focus on the right things. Watching:  The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo, at the movie theater with my expat pal Emma . Rooney Mara is great as Lisbeth... Read Full Story

Yeah… that would be me . Whoops. Mind you, beige can  be boring. It is entirely possible to make neutrals boring – beige by no means has the exclusive on that, you can also do it with black, navy and grey. I used to think people who wear beige are no fun. What I have realized however is that beige actually enables you to have more fun! Quirky accessories, loud patterns, bright colors? Pair them with beige, and you are toning them down just enough to make them oh, so wearable! For instance... Read Full Story

If you know me personally or if you have been reading this blog for any length of time, you no doubt know how much I love traveling . Source: etsy.com via Elisa on Pinterest Do you remember what it felt like to meet a cute boy or develop a new crush as a teenager? The excitement, the nervousness, feeling giddy, like you have so many emotions building up and fighting to get out that you are not sure if you are going to explode in a fit of giggles or start crying from the sheer emotion... Read Full Story

After a fairly mild Holiday Season, the temperatures have dropped here, and you know how I feel about that . To be fair, we did have a few days of sun, but it was so cold that it prompted Stella’s teacher to joke about the possibility that there was actually something wrong with the sun, since its rays seemed to bring only light but no warmth at all. (… ok, maybe you had to be there.) After whining about the grey, dark days, it feels like someone is playing a cruel joke: Here, have some sun... Read Full Story