More German Music

I can't believe I didn't mention these two bands in my earlier post about German music. Shame on me, because I absolutely love them.

The first one is Nylon. Do you know them? Oh my, so wonderful - maybe like Norah Jones-ish, they are very jazzy electro. I don't know how to describe them, but I love lead singer Lisa Bassenge - her voice is stunning and she sings in German and slowly enough so that if you're learning like me you find yourself singing along quite easily. I have the CD "10 Lieder über Liebe" and highly suggest it. It's great Sunday afternoon at home music, the kind of music you play as you sit in your living room with a good cup of tea and a nice interiors magazine on a cool day, with a few candles burning nearby... It's very cozy or as the Germans say "gemutlichkeit" (one of my favorite German words, it's so cute).

The next one is also jazzy with great vocals, the band is called Kitty Hoff. You can listen to them here on Amazon.de.

.....

A few other faves, particularly good again for those studying German because you can sing along, is Anna Depenbusch and Ruben Cossani, but I'm not sure how exactly I'd classify them. It reminds of me 50s music, very mid century mod.

xo,
Holly

Where Are All The European Bloggers?

So I'm surfing all my lovely links (to your right) in the Haus Maus blogroll and well... I noticed a common theme. Lots of bloggers are taking time off, some taking off the entire month of July stating they'll be back in August. Whoa. This is very cool, like a totally foreign concept to me. I'm American. We don't "take off" for a month. Heck, when I worked in the corporate world I had 4 weeks paid holiday each year and my manager got upset when I took two weeks off in a row, he preferred only one week at a time because more than that was "too much" as he said and that it did not show my "dedication to the company". Oh yes, his words, not mine. But not just HIS words. Many of my managers in the past had this mindset. And many of my colleagues too. If and when you did take your earned vacation you got eye rolls and annoyed colleagues who had to cover for you while you were out. In my case, they always hired a replacement for me even if I was out for a week!

There was a running joke which wasn't really funny because sometimes it happened, that if your temp help who covers you is "better" than you are that you may not come back to a job at all so be careful how long you stay out on vacation. I mean, imagine that!?

Most of the time, I'd take 2 weeks off a year max, one week around Christmas because the office was dead anyway and another week in the summer around June. The other two weeks I'd just cash out on at the end of the year and take the $ over the time, we'd get paid for the weeks we did not take. So now, as an independent writer I wonder if I should take time off now that I'm moving to Germany. I'm scared, what if I take off and no one remembers me when I return after two weeks? In the online world it's so important to be front and center, especially when it comes to social media and how much emphasis is placed on your popularity, readership and link backs -- if I leave for two weeks will decor8 go up in smoke? Will I be the "once read" blogger who slacked by taking a break? I honestly worry about these things! Not because I have advertisers, they're all lovely people whom I've built a relationship with - they'd certainly have no problems with me taking time off from decor8 to relocate to Germany and get my life in order, unpacked, registered, etc. But it's more of an American thing I think - a mindset - so deeply ingrained in me that vacation is for slackers. People who run off for two weeks or more on holiday are not really that dedicated to their work or clients is pretty much the way vacation is viewed in the states -- at least in the northeast where I live.

So now I wonder, should I take a break and sign off for a few weeks since I'm moving August 1st?I mean, I have things to sell, pack, a relocation company is coming next week to help pack my art and stuff, we have a car to sell, tons of paperwork to complete, a house to thorough clean for the next tenant, parties to attend, family to say goodbye to, I mean the list really does not end. Perhaps I should take off the last week of July and the first week of August. But something about this really bothers me. Like I shouldn't. What's my problem anyway? I didn't leave the corporate world with all it's rules and politics to mimic all that in my freelance career.

As I surf many blogs of my Euro friends I'm seeing a pattern. They know how to take a break and they also don't feel a bit of guilt associated with it. How does one do this - take a break without the guilt? Does anyone have some advice for me? Am I a workaholic or am I just American?

(image: collage by holly becker)

German Pop Music

I was reading this crazy forum online for expats and someone asked about German pop singers because she only knew of Falco so of course, being a music lover, I had to post a few to show that Germany isn't all about folk music and Falco. he he.

Klee's leading lady singing in Russia this past April.

If you don't know much about German pop music, well there isn't much to know about it because most of the music I hear on the radio when I'm there is not really coming out of Germany as much as it is from America, Britain, Italy, etc. But there are bands in Germany that are quite good. Not all are my taste exactly, just like I wouldn't suggest every single band in America if someone asked me, but here are a few you can sample online. The ones with the * are my favorites.

Ich + Ich
Sarah Connor
Juli*
Jazzanova
MIA*
Thomas Godoj*
Jeanette Biedermann
Annett Louisan*
Maike von Bremen
Tokio Hotel
Soehne Mannheims
Julia Neigel
Fettes Brot
Jennifer Rostock
Klee*
Silbermond
Rosenstolz
Rammstein

Do you know of any German bands/singers that you'd like to add?

(images: klee)

Sail Boston

There's this big Sail Boston event happening down in the city this week, we spent the entire day there yesterday since it was the first real SUMMER day we've had all year and I wanted to be outdoors to take full advantage of it! After about 9 hours on our feet (no kidding, we walked and walked and walked), we had dinner at this very loud pub (the oldest tavern in America) called the Bell in Hand Tavern and I swear it was some of the best pub grub around. With all the windows open, the warm summer salty breeze and dim lighting it was the perfect way to end a very hot and sunny day. They had the best DJ too, he played everything -- I was dancing in my seat. Would you like to see a few photos that I took to give you a glimpse of Boston and the waterfront area?

The ships in the harbor were beautiful and we danced and listened to a band over at Rowe's Wharf behind the Boston Harbor Hotel called Mystique - they were great and a lot of fun. There was even a Captain Jack Sparrow walking around in full pirate gear... I was DYING to have a photo made with him but didn't have the courage to go ask. I wish now that I had! It would have been so cute to show you here, a picture of me and the cap'n. But of course, I had my Captain Hook with me -- my darling husband -- so it was just fine to miss a photo with Cap'n Jack Sparrow. :) In the last photo above you can see some street performers near Quincy Market - a bunch of about 7 kids who were dancing to Billie Jean and doing crazy acrobats - flips, cartwheels -- it was pretty amazing. I was standing there dancing and clapping like a fool but hey, it's Summer so why not have some fun!

What did you do this weekend? I'm soaking in the sun and packing all day tomorrow (Sunday). I'm trying to balance work, meeting up with friends to say goodbye, packing, selling stuff, and having a little Summer fun but it's not easy! I'm only in this house for 19 more days, then I'm in a hotel for 5 days, so I have to get this house cleaned out by August 1.

... but there is always enough time to have fun. :)

(images: holly becker)

My Sofa Ran Away + Brought Friends

My sofa ran away, along with lots of other things and low and behold I found them on the internet! Ha! I was reading Nichole's blog today and came across some photos of MY things IN her house. Rascal!

Oh yes, reality sure is setting in now that I'm moving out of my home in 3 weeks. I sold 99% of my furniture and lighting, some went to Nichole who so nicely came up from New Jersey with her husband and two little boys this past Sunday (and a UHaul) and took their fill of goods from the Holly Shop (aka my house). I love seeing my sofa, side table, coffee table and faus bois light in their living room - it's exciting to see how things look that you once owned only in the home of another. Freakin' strange too! Now I can wait to see what she's going to do with everything else. I love/hate it! I want my stuff back now. he he.

Wait, I think those books on the coffee table are mine too. Wahhhhhhh!

Pinch me, I'm really relocating to Germany! LOL!

(images: evan robertson)

Mind Your Own Business

When you've got a small business to run, you simply must mind it -- minding your own business is critical to your success. In the process of planning my move I've been doing some research because I know that some titles that Americans can use here in the states are not legally allowed to be used in Germany. For instance, unless you were trained as a photographer and have a degree to prove it, you are not allowed to call yourself a Photographer in Germany. Same with Interior Designer. That is why I've decided to drop my title as an Interior Design Consultant to just be safe and to call myself an Interior Stylist which is somewhat of a decorator but more in the direction in which I want to take... not decorating for personal settings but doing more for shop owners (window displays and such) and also styling for photos and magazines, things of that nature.

Of course, I don't have high hopes that I will do this professionally in Germany but I may see if I can get a few freelance gigs going since I have solid contacts in Europe and they may be interested in utilizing my vision and eye for beauty, my American/global design style, for their book or magazine. So we shall see.

I'm primarily a writer, so that title will stay. But given that I only did a certificate Interior Design program I do not have the education to back me to earn the title of Interior Designer or even an Interior Decorator by German standards so I must be careful as titles are taken very seriously there. In America you can call yourself nearly anything and get away with it, people are constantly calling themselves whatever they want without any legal problems. Though I know ASID is trying to change things so that one can only call themselves an Interior Designer here in America if they meet a specific criteria. Some states already enforce this, others like N.H. are currently trying. But still, unless you are in a field like medicine or whatever, you can be a Graphic Designer without a degree in it, a Photographer without a degree in Photography, etc. and that is completely fine.

It's good and it's bad I think. But I'm not about to march into a new country and call myself something that in their terms I'm not. So stylist and writer will do. And that sounds fitting and completely good to me.

Do you like my new business cards? Yes, they are letterpress in a pale turquoise color. My friend Tara Hogan designed them for me from Ink & Wit. I love Tara, she promised to someday visit me in Hannover and I'm holding her to this publicly right here on my blog. So Tara this is your official public invitation to come see and stay with me once I move. As far as these gorgeous cards, I simply told Tara what they should say, what color I wanted, and that a butterfly with a dotted swirling line was needed and she took my vision and translated it so well in this beautiful card with elements she designed by hand. I ordered only 100 of them in white since I will be moving in the late Winter/early Spring to a larger flat with a new address. But I'm sure 100 will be enough. Though I want to give them to everyone I meet because they're so delicious. :)

So! I have my new business cards ready to go with me... and new address labels too. I'm takin' care of business and it feels good -- I didn't want to forget something this important in the whirl of planning.

Thank you Tara for your beautiful work. If anyone wants cards like these, please let Tara know. This design is unique to me of course, but she can design something for you to fit your specifications.

(image: holly becker for haus maus)

Impressionen - New For Fall

For those living in Germany be sure to check out Impressionen as they just released their new Autumn collection for the home. Loving this chandy, especially since you can turn it off and just light the candles for romantic evenings at home. Oh, la la!

I was excited to see that they have a great Liebeskind bag in teal because this Berlin-based brand for handbags is the best AND since I've been looking for a teal bag. I get all kinds of "where'd ya get THAT?" when I carry around my purple bag purchased last Autumn.

I've shopped Impressionen a few times and felt very satisfied with my orders though they don't speak English at all so I had to have my husband send them an email they could understand vs. my GermEnglish speak. And they charge per minute if you need to call them. Um, what is UP with this? It seems to be kinda of common if you need to speak to customer service at catalogs in Germany and it makes no sense to me whatsoever. Anyone have an opinion?

I do like Impressionen though and look forward to being a somewhat regular customer there since they carry lots of the brands I like. Have you shopped them before?

(image: impressionen)

New Beginnings

It's July 1st and after only 10 days on the market our house has rented here in New Hampshire! Yay! Well it's not exactly mine but we wanted it to rent before leaving because we like our landlord and wished for things to work out for all parties. You see, he was kind enough to allow us to break our lease, technically we are signed to rent here until Jan 15, 2010 and legally we would have had to pay him for the time despite no longer living here but recently he decided that since he likes us and such that he'd not hold us to the lease and that he'd let us out as long as he could keep our security deposit.

It's actually to his benefit now, he is renting to a single lady and charging $200 extra per month for the rent and her heat/hot water will be considerably less that our usage (he pays for that) so I think it's good for HIM that we are leaving. In the end, I'm just happy everything worked out. We've lived here for 6.5 years and I'm ready to venture on -- I wasn't raised here, nor was my husband, so it never felt like home to us despite all the friends we've made and how many parties we've thrown and how many weekend trips we've taken in order to hit every single part of the state.

It just never felt like a right fit.

Do you know the expression, "You can't fit a square peg into a round hole"? No matter how hard you try to pound that square peg into a round hole it doesn't seem to work. Even if you do manage to hammer it in hard enough there are still gaps and it's not a comfortable fit. That's been my experience in New Hampshire. I think this state is made for people who want to be left alone, out of the loop so to speak, and who prefer a quiet way of life with their children and such. And that is great and perfect for them so I'm not knocking this at all. At all. And I want you to know this because I'm sure someone reading from NH is going to have some choice words for me in the comments section after reading this paragraph. I mean absolutely nothing bad by saying this. It's simply my personal experience.

I'm really ready for this relocation and life change and Thorsten is REALLY ready to go back to Germany where he grew up and lived for 28 years. He loves Europe in general and we both enjoy traveling so we can finally really travel now. He'll turn 37 in October and he wants to start a family and raise our someday kids in Europe so they can learn German and English fluently from birth, and of course have the excellent health care and benefits that parents have in Germany which we just don't have here as contractors.

But aside from family planning, we both want to "fit" in somewhere again. I did well in Boston and of course, in my native South Carolina and while he likes both (as do I), we're both ready to just give Germany a whirl and so why not go for it now while our health is still good and our energy levels are high (and before the kids come). Plus, I feel like the first 8 years of our marriage he has sacrificed by moving here to be with me, now it's time that I give living on his side of the world a try. Fair is fair. And I'm certainly not complaining - I can't wait.

So, today our little home is officially signed over to someone else, another bird who will fluff this nest and hopefully enjoy her stay here as we have because despite it all, we really made a lot of progress living here "in the sticks" despite the lack of design/art and women to network with who are into the same things that I'm into. There are some but none of them live even remotely close to me (it's a large state!). Still -- I wouldn't trade back these 6.5 years for anything. I have no regrets. We grew into a strong married couple. Our finances are under control and all debts are paid (we owe $0 - and I mean $0), and we both started very successful businesses here due to less distraction and more time to live our jobs. But now it's time to live our life and our jobs, together, and I'm excited to give this next phase a whirl.

We got married in our twenties and in 13 days on July 14 we will be celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary. I can't believe it! Most of these 8 years were spent here in this 1875 carriage house in nowheresville. But we had some amazing things happen to us and our life and I'm so grateful for this.

Have you ever heard of those who run off and hibernate in some tiny town and write that best selling novel? Well there is much that can come from seclusion as my husband and I have learned. decor8 was born out of seclusion for the most part. I landed many a writing gig from living out here. My husband learned English fluently. And our expenses dropped after moving away from Boston so we were able to get our money under control since we downsized to a small apartment, less rent, tax-free state with no federal tax, cheap car insurance, have only one car, etc. Living out here has been hard in some ways but the sacrifice was totally worth it. And now the time has come that we've been building all of this up for, to relocate and enjoy the fruits of our labor. It's time to say goodbye.

I CAN'T WAIT. {dancing in my seat}
woot! woot!

So July 1st I welcome you my friend. The month of my anniversary, the last month of my life in America, the month I will sell off the rest of my belongings, and the month that I will no longer live a life in a cage with clipped wings. I'm flying out - over - beyond and taking all I've learned and saved and found with me on all levels and I can't wait to enjoy what these past several years of sacrifice will mean for the rest of our life ahead.

Have you ever experienced similar feelings? Can you relate to me at this point in my life?

(image: holly becker)

New Hannover Shops

For Hannover locals, I just noticed a few shops in the List near my apartment that I've not talked about here before (I don't think!). I'm looking forward to visiting them in August. Only a few but I'll list them anyway, I want to support small business as much as possible so whenever I hear of a new shop opening in Hannover that fits my aesthetic or interest I will post it here, including restuarants and bakeries too (of course he he).

I've known about this shop, Frau Lucy und das liebe Lieschen, for awhile but they moved to a new, larger shop last year and I forgot to talk about it here. I met both owners in 2007, Maike and Denise, and thought they were very sweet and passionate about designing and sewing sweet home accessories and clothing for children (and those young at heart). Almost everything in the photo above is handmade on location. Which is what I liked about their shop the most -- you could observe them working on their sewing machines which made it very authentic and special to me. Nothing made in China! A glimpse of their shop is shown above. You can find them at Flüggestraße 22.

Rom Antik is a little shop specializing in romantic style furniture "shabby chic" and home accessories, most look vintage to me. This cottage style shop is located on Kleine Pfahlstr. 19. It looks very sweet, I like the little baby bed. Hours: Di/Mi/Fr 15-18, Sa 11-18 Uhr.

Sem Oui is lovely. I've been there once (it is not a new store) but I have to highlight it because it's certainly worth a visit. I love the clothing in and the location is so sweet since it's in the middle of all the action so you can grab a latte afterwards around the corner. They also carry French label Sessun - big plus and a rare label to find in Hannover!

Hannover-based Fashion Designer originally from Munster, Ann Müller, is exceptionally talented and when I window shop her boutique I stand there wishing to own one of everything. Especially one of her gorgeously tailored coats. Such gorgeous structure. Someday I will purchase one and wear it with pride! Ms. Müller has exceptional taste and an eye for detail and absolute perfection. Her clothing would be so popular here in America, especially New York or Chicago. And I really like her design aesthetic as far as shop design is concerned. It's very simple yet elegant - lovely. These photographs were shot by Volker Warning from Blue Studios in Hannover, and I'm thinking some were taken in the nearby Eilenreide (a forest a few blocks from Ms. Müller's boutique which also happens to be one of the largest city forests in all of Europe).

And finally... a few more.

I'm not sure if ...wiinoi... is new or not, but I like what I see here on this website concerning their vintage clothing store. It's only a few blocks from my apartment so I will be checking them out in August for sure. Looks like they have a good eye for second hand clothing. Located at Jakobistraße 29.

Oleander Natural Living carries natural handmade bath products, I'm always looking for pretty soaps and bath "bombs" or "fizzies" and it appears as though this shop carries them. I will have to see what the store experience is like once I'm in Hannover and report back, but the website looks promising as far as the selection is concerned. Located at Jakobistraße 23.

xo, Holly

Biking Culture In America Vs. Europe

I know this is giving in to a total lifestyle indulgence moment, but imagine being a mommy cruising around in your amazing pale blue Madsen Cycle (aka Mommy Mobile)? Oh it's lovely and very practical don't you think? My husband tells me that in Germany you can purchase bike insurance so you are protected against theft which for a Madsen I would absolutely do this. LOVE. THIS. BIKE. I also heard that in my city of Hannover that most aren't going to run off with your bike, theft is quite low so that's a bonus. In the states though, honestly, I don't see myself ever spending this much cash on a designer bike for basic transportation services. People steal bikes in the states left and right and they end up on eBay or Craigslist and there's no way to ever recover it.

I think America has a LONG way to go before they'll ever have the biking culture that exists in Europe but thanks to lifestyle pushers biking is becoming hip and cool vs. "poor man's transportation" or for sport or children only... And that's good. I have many American friends who want to bike everywhere and LOVE the concept but not all cities and towns here have the infrastructure for bicycles (no designated lanes, for one).

Marketing a bike as trendy and cool is how to sell a bike to the average car driver here. Make it into a lifestyle object, and you just may have started something. Hey, to me, whatever sells this is fine by me. I fully support it no matter how it is packaged.


In my trendy New Hampshire town, the only ones who rely on bikes for transportation are the Jamaicans hired to live in town seasonally by the farms. Trust me, as a southerner who recalls watching the African Americans pick cotton and weave baskets growing up, I really dislike seeing them working the fields in my town. I want to see the Caucasian Abercrombie teenagers who work in the farm shop at the cash registers doing it, who say Like and Totally and have that annoying pitch at the end of their sentences as they text message their BFF while ringing in your $8. a pound organic lemons. But that's a whole 'nother blog post.

The Jamaicans in my New Hampshire town are given beat up bikes to get around, live together in a huge barn (20+ of them) and in addition to their bikes they have trucks and tractors owned by the farm. They come up to work the fields, earn their living, and return to Jamaica to live with their families after the Fall Harvest returning again around May. All the "white" professional working class folks have their designer bikes in which they only ride if sporting this kind of Tour de France spandex logo plastered gear. I've never once spotted anyone here riding a bike just for the sake of running an errand. That would be a huge no no in my town as it's not considered hip or posh. Driving mini Coopers or the giant SUV is absolute necessity.

Simple City 8W by Fisher, another favorite of mine.

Again, we have a long way to go in America, especially outside of American cities. It's a big country, hugely dependent on the automotive industry. The rail system here is rubbish and Amtrak sucks unless you are lucky enough to live in Philly, DC or NYC and go to any of these 3 destinations regularly, then it's fine. The Boston - NYC connection is a joke. Rubbish. To quote chef/travel writer/show host Tony Bourdain (my idol), "Amtrak Sucks". Expensive too, hundreds of dollars round trip and very inconvenient travel times. But we can dream and hope that Madsen and other bicycle companies in the states designing for practical purposes and not merely sport are able to have their day in the sun. I want this so badly here, I depended on my bike growing up and plan to depend on it once again when I relocate because there I will have things called bike paths and the support of my community who not only ride their bicycles to run errands but who encourage others to do the same.

Personally, I want to invest in a Velorbis bike, made in Germany modeled after traditional Danish bike design. Love these bikes and the wonderful baskets but red is not for me so perhaps something less bold. I saw them in Hannover for the first time in a bike shop there for the first time and told Tee, "I want that one someday". He just smiled. He builds bikes as a hobby but told me I could buy whatever I want. He is still building his own. :)

Do you bike? Where do you live? Is biking for normal transportation popular where you live?

(image: madsen)