.SOMETIMES RAW.

Happy Monday and Good Morning!

I haven’t done an update on the beauty products I use simply because I love to stick to the same ones I know work for me and are natural. Here in the States I love one store in particular. Whole Foods! I don’t go there too often because it is so expensive but what they offer is close to what I get in a natural health store in Germany so I am like a kid in a candy store. Besides all the organic food they offer, the beauty aisles are just great. They even have homeopathic medicine. I could wander these aisles for hours! Can I go to a store like this with my son? It is challenging – but I love challenges! The store has these little shopping carts for kids so he is fine. But he is reaching for whatever is in his hight and he can grab with his tiny hands; of course it is usually pretty expensive lotions, perfumes and creams which keeps my visits to the store pretty brief.

When it comes to natural beauty, what do you really need? Not much I have to say. The products I am introducing here do the job for me and I don’t really use anything else.

1. Khadi Products: I love Khadi Products. They have a great assortment of products but I have to say that I only tried their hair care so far. They have cremes and lotions, bath gels, massage/essential oils and soaps. Check out my hair routine here. 
2. To take a shower I use this bar of soap. It is by the Company Sunrider and it is just awesome! It last a long time  too. (And yes, I do take a shower every day! haha)
3. Coconut Oil: I have been using Nutive Coconut Oil for my hair when the end are dry. Or for my hands and even face once in a while. I use it to cook too.
4. Thayers Lemon Witch Hazel: My skin is really awesome and glowing since I use this product. I use it in the morning and at night. Just apply an amount on a cotton pad and wipe over your face. It cleanses and soothes the skin.
5. Heritage Rosewater: This rosewater is amazing. It works as skin lotion or perfume. You simply spritz some Rosewater on your face and it feels like you used a cream. It keeps you face hydrated, smooth and soft. You can literally use it as a lotion. If you have acne, use it before you apply makeup and refresh your hair or face anytime.
6. Arnica Gel: This stuff is great, especially if you have a child. It works really well on bruises and is a fast pain relief. I am taking arnica homeopathic tablets for sore muscles after a workout, pain relief and if I feel I get a cold.
7. My homemade cream: I stick to this cream because I know what is in it because I put it in. 🙂 I use this cream for face, body and as well for my son. My cream is great for diaper rashes too.
8. As far as makeup, I don’t really use any. I like my face the way it is! But, occasionally I do use Dr. Hauschka Mascara or Concealer. Dr. Hauschka products are okay once in a while. Their rosewater, rose oil or anything Lavender I love. Check out the website here.
9. 
10. I love Weleda Products. My son and I use their toothpaste for quite some time now and I haven’t had problems with my teeth ever since. If I run out of my homemade cream I would buy their body lotions. Good stuff!

I would love to hear from you. Are you into natural beauty products and what are you using?

Thank you for reading my blog.

Advance Reading Copy Disclosure:

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I have not read anything else by Michelle Gable before but what drew my attention to this book the most was the cover and my love for Paris. This does not affect my opinion of the content or the book in my review.

“I believed Paris was the start of us. It’ the kind of city that makes you think of beginnings, or even juicy middles. Paris is a book to savor, in whole or in part, at any time and any season. At age ninety or at thirty-four, you can open any chapter and read from there”. 

I have been in love with Paris for a long time. I love the culture, food, lifestyle, people (they are not rude at all), little cafés and macaroons and simply walking all day long discovering the streets of Paris. When I saw the cover of the book I instantly fell in love. This is all you really need, no? Sitting in a café in Paris with a nice cup of coffee and a good book, observing people walking by and writing a bit. Well, I am getting off on a tangent again. Let’s dive into the book review.

Laurel Haley is nineteen-years old when she loses her fiancé in the Vietnam War. What can she do to deal with the pain of loss? She moved to England to start a new life, meet new people and hopes that times eventually heals all wounds. If you are into love stories this is when it gets interesting. Of course she meets someone new and they end up traveling to Paris together. Then there is a turn or jump in the book and you will get to know Laurel’s daughter Annie who wants to know who her father is and what happened to him. There are many things her mother did not tell her but why?

The story is beautifully told and keeps the reader captivated. I just read on and on to find out more. The funny part is that when you think you know what happens next it will surprise you even more how the author switches things around and keeps you interested in the plot. The reader will learn about the Duchess of Marlborough and how she is involved in the story. Or does Laurel play a part in the Duchess’s story?

Overall I enjoyed the book. I loved that there was a little history involved and a nice love story but not to cheesy. This book is definitely an enjoyable read for an evening on the couch with tea/wine and cookies/dark chocolate when it is raining outside. (This is how I read this book!) You will have 400 pages that keep you busy until the next morning. I recommend this book. Let me know if you pre-order it or want to read it.

Thank you for reading my blog. 

Hello out there! A reader asked me recently if I could write a post on Coburg with insider tips so it would make his trip to my beloved hometown easier! Of course I can and I loved writing this article! 

I look outside the window and it is raining; it is cold and nasty and usually this is the time when I miss “home” the most. Home! What do I even consider home when I am  constantly traveling this beautiful planet with my family? Home is where my heart is, but my base is definitely in Coburg, Germany. I love this town because it has everything I need and a bit more. But to realize and appreciate all this I had to leave first. I moved to Munich and when this became boring I needed a new challenge and I ended up in New York City. 

If you ever want to spend a vacation in Bavaria/Germany with good food, Bratwurst and beer, read on. My first thought was to bombard you with history details but I will just send you to this page for that. I want to focus this post entirely on places to visit, attractions, accommodations, and of course food and restaurants. If you have questions feel free to send me an email! 

You arrived safely in Coburg and want to know what to do next? 

Where to stay: Some friends of mine stayed at hotel “Goldener Anker”  which is in close proximity to the market place and in walking distance to the main attractions and one of the best hotels in Coburg. Obviously I stay at my parents’ house so I don’t need accommodation 😉 You can trust my friends on this one! 

Information Center/Tourism: This page is very helpful to find your way around. Under Service&Info you can find maps to download, guides and calendars with current events. 

Places to visit: You want to see one of Germany’s largest castles? Visit the Fortress Coburg! 

The Fortress had been built in 1225 and Martin Luther spent approximately six months there while he translated the Bible into German. There are three museums you can visit that display great exhibits. You will see Martin Luther’s room from 1530, the Armory, paintings, the Art Collections, Coin Collection, Documentation Collection, Glassware Collection as well as current exhibits. Make sure you explore the Hofgarten (the park and garden) surrounding the fortress. There are just beautiful paths to walk and explore and a huge playground for kids. See what is currently displayed at the museum here. If you are into castles you will love Coburg. There are just so many. Visit Ehrenburg Palace (a former Franciscan Monastery) or Castle Callenberg. Castle Rödental is so beautiful too. I spent a lot of time in that park with my son this spring and summer.

Things to do: What else is Coburg famous for? Well, according to my father it would be hand’s down: THE Coburg Christmas Market. Okay, he is right! It is the best thing to do in December and the Glühwein and Honey-wine (“Met”-debet) is just the best. You have a plethora of food, sweets, handcrafted thingies and attractions for kids. My family and I have tried several christmas markets but there is none like the one on Coburg. Trust me! 

If you visit Coburg in the summertime you can enjoy the Samba Festival in July. It is not a little dance party, cocktails and some naked skin! Coburg is actually referred to as “Europe’s Capital of Samba” and it is true!

When you are at the market place, try the world’s famous Coburger Bratwurst. 

It is also knows as “Coburger” and you can buy one of these right at the market place at a little stand that is there year-round. I am a vegetarian but I get myself a Bratwurst once in a while. Yep, that good! So what it this Bratwurst? It is a 10-inch sausage made from pork and beef. They put raw eggs in it as a binding agent and a lot of seasoning. Salt, nutmeg, pepper… you name it! The secret why it tastes to good is that they grill it over a pine-cone fire. It is a tradition to get your Bratwurst at the market place at this one Bratwurst-Stand. 

After you visited the Castles, the Hofgarten, strolled around some more and had a Bratwurst, I think it is time for some reading. There are two places in Coburg to find great books, good coffee and cake and just browse. One is The SunnySide close to the market place. They serve awesome coffee, breakfast or snacks and have a great selection of books. It is a place to rest, think, have good conversations with Patrick, read and drink a cup! The other bookstore I want to mention is Riemann Buchhandlung.  This bookstore is literally at the market place and has a nice little café and a good assortment of books. Check both out for sure! 

What? You are hungry again? Okay, let’s go to this little café and have another cup of coffee and a sandwich that keeps you going until dinner. Café Sorgenfrei is famous for Latte Art by Benjamin Reimers and has nice brunch/lunch options. 

Now you walk around some more and explore all the stores Coburg has to offer before it is time for dinner. Walk all the little side-roads and paths and see the tiny stores that are so awesome! You should also take a walk to the Coburg State Theater. The theater is beautiful and a gem in Coburg. If you are into fairy tales, musicals, operas or ballets, this is the place to go to see a play. They offer a variety of shows and have an awesome program. Check out their website here. 

If you want to relax you definitely should go to Aquaria. This amazing pool in Coburg offers many ways for you to unwind and have a SPA day. Sauna, massages, fitness, and in the summertime an outdoor pool. If you are into sports or want to see a Volleyball or Handball game, Coburg has two great teams. 

For dinner I can recommend Tie Restaurant which is mostly vegetarian or vegan. They do have some meat-choices as well. Great food, great ambience. If you are into Tapas and more, check out Bar Celona.  My friend Sylvia recommended “Cosmo’s tapas & wine”. They are working on their website, so here is their Facebook link. 

Are you getting tired or are you up for a last drink before it is time to go back to the hotel? 

Check out Sonderbar! (Hey Judith!) Sonderbar has great food, cocktails, and usually life music; sometimes even during the week. This place is more of a Hipster place but great to end a day and have one more drink. I hope you enjoyed this little Coburg Insider Guide. Let me know if I forgot to mention something. Leave a comment below or send me an email through Contact! 

Thank you for reading my blog.