.SOMETIMES RAW.

Hello and Happy Thursday!

I have received some requests recently to write a post about my make-up routine. Well, let me tell you something: I am not a make-up person at all. I used to be when I was younger and thought that layers and layers of foundations, concealer and whatnot makes me pretty. The only thing it really did was make me look older, tired, caked and wrinkles started to appear. Also, I never figured out what color foundation I needed because my skin tone is very fair. I had this feeling I am wearing a mask so I stopped applying any makeup/foundation all together. Maybe some mascara if I felt like it. I also did not have the time. I literally preferred sleeping longer than standing in the bathroom to put on my foundations, lotions and potions. Also, I tend to touch my face constantly so nothing would stay in place anyway. And going to any drug store and seeing all this makeup variety makes me just walk out backwards again. 

One in a while I saw a really nicely done make-up on Instagram and read below what the person used and purchased some make-up again. Actually, if I want to look fresh and healthy I need to sleep at least, at least eight hours, drink plenty of water and that is it. Then I don’t need to put on concealer. This is how it works for me. But sometimes I feel like putting on makeup because it makes me feel special. I like minimalism and live minimalistic as much as possible. This goes for my makeup as well. I believe that less is more. I rather look for my inner beauty and try to find out who I am. I try  to enhance my healthy glow a bit and have a more radiant skin. I most certainly don’t want a heavy look and like to see my skin through any concealer. If I would like to cover up everything I would put a bag over my head. 

This is what’s in my minimalist makeup bag.

My natural makeup look

When I wake up in the morning I usually take a shower and wash my face with water. Nothing else. I have been trying Dudu Osun Black Soap and I like it. I then apply my homemade face cream but usually only if my skin feels dry and I need some moisturizer. Otherwise I use nothing. When my son was up all night, or I read all night long, I do need a little concealer in the morning. I love Dr. Hauschka products simply because the ingredients of their products are pretty good and mostly natural. Click on their website to find out more about the products and the concealer and mascara I am using if you would like. Also, my husband buys me my favorite perfume, Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel whenever mine is empty or he stops at a Duty Free Shop at the Airport. Yay! 

I apply the Rose Nurturing Body Oil by Dr. Hauschka after I took a shower. It makes my skin soft and smells so awesome! 

Next are my eye products and I keep this very simple as well. I like this grey eye brow pencil since a  sales woman at Sephora told me that my brown eye brows look best when I apply a tiny bit of grey. And she is right. I like to fill in my brows a bit. I plug my eyebrows myself and give them a nice shape. Done! When I applied any brown tone I looked a bit like this: 

You can watch the tutorial here. It is hilarious-crying-out-loud-laughing-funny. Again, I keep it very simple and don’t ever wear eyeliner or eyeshadow. I don’t use any curlers for my lashes. Just this simple mascara by Dr. Hauschka. Long time ago I tried to apply eyeliner to see how that looks and again, the picture above might capture it best. I figured out (as I got older) that my eyes are okay the way they are, expressive and unique and that I it is okay to not use anything at all!  

Before I discovered Dr. Hauschka, most mascara products made my eyes itchy and red. 

And lips! I usually use a bit of coconut oil when my lips are too dry or before I apply lipstick. Applying coconut oil makes them nice and soft and it reminds me of vacation. I keep my makeup so simple and minimalistic but still want to highlight something in my face. Then I use this lipstick which is my favorite of all times. This is the perfect read for me and I love to wear it so much. It makes me feel great and so much more. Sometimes I do apply it just to get some bread at the bakery. 

When my husband takes me out to a movie, theater or any date and I want to go all crazy I even apply a tiny bit of blush. I found that this one works best to give my fair complexion and cheeks a bit of color. 

This is it! Simple, makes me feel good, makes me feel womanly and comfortable. 

I would love to hear from you. What products do you use? 

Hello and Happy Monday! 

A couple of weeks ago, my husband, son and I were on a little shopping trip in Coburg when we got hungry and had this urge for coffee. My first thought: Café Sorgenfrei! This gem of a restaurant/café is not far from the Marketplace in Coburg, is well established and invites to breakfast/brunch, lunch or even dinner. The variety of food is fantastic and the price is fair. If you stop for coffee you should try the Latte Macchiato and Cappuccino or any other coffee creations. Benjamin Reimers  who specialized in Latte Art, will show you some amazing “foam paintings” when you order a cup of coffee. This gentleman knows his coffee for sure! He won the title „il barman del caffè“ von Lavazza in Italy at a contest. This title, many additional seminars and experience made him to one of the best baristas in Germany.

Overall, the staff is very friendly, professional and charming. The café is located at a quiet little side-street in Coburg with a beautiful (beer)garden or more an inner yard. Located away from the street, with lots of trees and a beautiful atmosphere this is most likely one of the loveliest, secret hangout spots in town to rejuvenate, talk, eat and drink. 

There is also a lot of art work throughout the café and warm, welcoming furniture.  The walls are decorated nicely with paintings. This part of the café pictured below is the “green” room that gave me this feeling of having a picnic outside. 

The food menu is amazing. You can choose from soups, antipasti, salads, homemade pasta, meat, vegan/vegetarian dishes, waffles and pizza. I highly recommend the burgers and homemade fries! New items are added to the menu frequently as well as different freshly homemade cakes. Yum! Make sure to take a look at the brunch menu that usually will be served until 12 pm and sometimes upon request a bit longer. 

You would like to spend your lunch break away from your desk? You have 30-45 minutes time? Pre-order your food and have your lunch ready as soon as you walk into the café. Sweet! You are also able to order food and pick it up at the café. I love the plethora of options that make it so easy for the customer to enjoy great, healthy food. 

It is recommended to make lunch/dinner reservations; especially if you would like a nice table. Use the Reservation option on their website! The restaurant also has a huge upper floor to host parties and whatnot. Make sure to get in touch with he owner. Enjoy! 

Café Sorgenfrei

Webergasse 23

96450 Coburg 

Tel.: 09561//3514993

Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9 am -10 pm 

Hello and Happy Friday! 

What would happen if we find out that the world is communicating to us in ways we are not ever aware of? Have you thought about this? This week was full of emotions, figuring myself out, discovering new things and love. My husband is here and we do a lot together as a “normal” family. My son is happy to have his father around. It is amazing to observe this bond and love these two have even though we are not spending too much time together for the past two years. Also, my husband bought me this lipstick and I am totally in love! This is one of the few red lipsticks I will finish until the last swipe. It is perfection! 

Reading: Currently I read Murakami’s The Strange Library. This book is beautifully illustrated and very special. I will share a post about it as soon as I finished it. I read The Wander Society by Keri Smith in one sitting because awesomeness! Check out my book recommendations here if you haven’t read it yet. My husband brought me a bunch of books from the United States and I was so happy about it. One book – Wreck and Order by Hannah Tennant-Moore will be reviewed for BloggingForBooks soon. So stay tuned for that.  Many late night reading sessions  curled up together on the couch will be on the agenda. I attended a fantastic reading by Heidi Fischer at Riemann Bookstore. She introduced her latest book Der Verlorenen Mann and ended with a Nepalese dinner for all the guests. It was fantastic. 

Watching: My husband and I love Family Guy. We watched the latest episodes from Season 14 and they are hilarious. He also watched Daddy’s Home (which he is, yaaay!) with headphones on while I read. He did point out some funny parts in the movie and I cried laughing. Will Ferrel is the best! Hands down! Some other movies are on our “To-Watch-List”. 

Listening to/Enjoying: My son! He talks so much these days and asks so many questions. I love it. He is so cute and wants everything explained. I actually just came back from a dinner with two of my best friends whom I know since 7th grade in school. With Julia I am in touch almost throughout all these years and Nicole I recently “found again” on Facebook. We met at Barcelona in Coburg which is a Tapas Bar with tons of good food and drinks. We had such a good time catching up and talking tons about the good old times. Perfect evening! 

Discovering/Learning: That I have to listen to my body and give it all some rest once in a while. To not get too aggressive about things I cannot change and just take it easy. I don’t want to get upset so easily anymore; to the point of a personal inner nuclear meltdown I mean. MOMA is one of my favorite museums so far. I found out about this amazing Edgar Degas exhibit through Sunday, July 24th. Also this exhibit of Jackson Pollock’s work. Wow! He is one of my favorite artists for sure! 

Have you been at the Whitney in the Meatpacking District? I have been told that the old buildings has become an extension of the Metropolitan Museum. They also expanded the contemporary collection. It is now called the Met Breuer and the first exhibit is called “Unfinished: Thoughts Left Visible”. As the name suggests, you will see a collection of  unfinished artwork from artists all throughout history. 

Loving: Victor Cornet’s blog Paris Blogger. Do check out his blog and see how a French blogger is lost between Paris and the US. And yes, he is family, and addicted to Coke. <3 What is French and fantastic? My husband, and Macarons! Have you ever been to the Macaron Café in New York City? Fernando Pessoa. What a writer! I discovered this author in 2003 when I read The Book of Disquiet. Back then it did not mean all too much to me but re-reading certain passages now is so great. My intuition communicates with me in a different way now and I feel things that I have not felt before while reading Pessoa. 

How has your week been? What have you been up to? What have you seen and discovered? I would love to hear from you.