Sunday Spirit // Little steps go a long way

I feel I've been making progress this week. When I wrote that post on Monday, I really felt defeated. No job, no plan and a lot of worry. But, I was determined to get out of that rut and start feeling more like myself. I know that only I can make things better for myself. Yes, there are a lot of things that just feel lucky in our lives, but we still have to open ourselves up for those possibilities.

I decided today, that I will start work tomorrow. How the hell are you going to find a job in 12 hours you might ask? Well, you see, I already have a job. I have a shop. A functioning e-shop that I've been neglecting for the past few weeks. I've been so caught up in finding a "real" job, that I completely forgot that I actually have my own business. Truth be told, I'm probably the worst employee of the month right now, and that's not ok. It's time to stop doubting myself and start really working on those big goals.

I'm not saying I'll stop looking for a "real" job - we still need that financial stability right now. But, I might as well make the most of my time until then. I hope you'll be here to cheer me on! (Also, feel free to share my shop link with family and friends. How's that for my first marketing efforts?)

We've been trying to cope with the stress we both feel right now by taking daily walks together. Just to get outside, move and breath some fresh air. It's been so good. Especially when the sun shines during our walk and we get to talk about good stuff. Like making something yummy for dinner, or planning a party with friends. I think it's so important to make room for and remember those good things in our lives even in times of stress and tension. Sometimes, it doesn't take much to make a happy life.

Speaking of yummy... One of our New Year's goals was to cook something new every week. If you don't know this yet, I don't like cooking. If I could have it my way, I would hardly ever cook anything. But lately I've realized that a big part of why I don't like to cook is that I make the same things over and over and it's boring. We've been watching a lot (like a lot) of Master Chef lately, and I've been feeling more inspired to try new recipes. So far, we managed to make even more than one new dish each week and I hope we can keep that up. One my favorite dishes from the last couple of weeks was the pesto chicken pasta with rucola tomato and mango salad pictured above, and the best brownies I've ever made (or eaten) using this recipe.

I've also been making progress on my sweater. This one is coming along slowly, but steadily. I hope that once it's ready I can share the pattern with you as well. I usually make my own patterns when knitting, because every time I've tried to use an existing pattern, I've failed horribly. The most painful fail was the sweater I spent 3 months secretly knitting for Rein last Christmas, which turned out to be 3 sizes too big. Ouch! Needless to say (pun intended), I lost my will to knit for a while after that.

How was your week, friends!

xo. Hanna

P.S! Thanks to all who took the time to respond to the reader survey! It's now closed. I'll be posting a summary of the results some time next week.

Sunday Spirit // The perfect winter's day

Last glimpses of the year that passed. I just had to post these pictures we took during our walk on one of the most perfect winter's day we had over the holidays. There was a carpet of fresh snow on the ground and more coming down from the sky. The temperature was a few degrees below zero. It was pure magic. For me, that is the definition of winter. We probably won't get any snow in Leverkusen, so I'm so happy we got to experience it while we're here in Estonia.

Can you spot the dog? Pretty good camouflage he's got, right?

We took these in Hiiumaa while visiting Rein's father's family (you can see our previous visit here). These trips become even more special now that we live so far away. Next time it will be high summer already. Sometimes this moving abroad thing really strikes me.

Looking forward to our next adventure on that little island. It's known as a summer destination, but I've got to say it's just as stunning during wintertime. I'm just glad we have a reason to visit as often as we can.

Just a few more days here in Tallinn and then we're back in Leverkusen. I kind of even miss our little place already. But, I'm definitely going to miss our loved ones.

xo. Hanna

This week was...

This week was crazy. It was also my last full week at work here. I'm starting to take care of loose ends and preparing for my last week in Tallinn starting tomorrow. It feels weird. I've lived in this apartment for the last 3 years, and not only am I moving to another apartment, that apartment is located a couple thousand miles from here. It's a roller-coaster for sure.

This week was emotional. I had more ups and downs mentally this week than I care to admit. I know it's all part of the process, but it's also pretty exhausting.
I had my send-off party with friends this weekend. Since I'll already be at my parents' next weekend, it was the last chance to get all the important people together...and make moving away feel even worse. It's going to be so weird (and so sad) not being able to just phone them and meet up. Or being able to hop on a buss and go visit. Estonia is so small, that even the friends living at the other end still seemed pretty close by.

This week was inspiring. I spent a lot of time getting creative, designing products, and putting them together. I spent today hand-sewing beads to these fabric flower brooches I'm making for the shop. I just sat on my bed, quietly, sewing away. And it was bliss. I had forgotten how much I need crafting time. How much I need to just sit quietly and keep my hands busy. All of a sudden my head was filled with ideas and inspiration. The more I create, the more creativity I have.

I'm actually looking forward to Monday this week. More time to sit quietly and keep my hands busy.

What have you been up to?

xo. Hanna

Sunday Spirit // 50 Shades of autumn

I have never read the book, but taking a walk in the crisp autumn air yesterday made me notice all 50 subtle shades of late autumn. I have always disliked this time of year. The colorful leaves are gone by now, the days are getting shorter and darker, and summer seems further away than ever. And for a summer-person like me, that's hard to bear. But, yesterday was one of those rare days of late autumn when the sun is shining, and the weather is so crisp and calm, that you can hear your own breathing. And it made me appreciate this season. It made me stop for a second and take in all the beauty this season really has to offer.

I reached for my winter boots and started walking along my favorite paths around my childhood home. Along the road to the park, then to the riverside and back around the pond. It was so chilly, almost wintery. I forgot my cloves, and boy, did I feel their absence. But, it was so pretty, I didn't even care.

 Last week felt like a constant rush and I hate those kinds of weeks. Having no time to rest, sleep, eat or do the things I love (including blogging) is no fun. I keep telling myself it's just another couple of weeks. I'm officially 3 weeks away from my big move to Germany. I have so many things on my mind all the time, it's difficult to keep up with life. On the flip-side, busy times always remind me of the things I really care about. Those things are the ones I miss most.

So, what do I miss most at the moment? I miss creative time. I loved every minute I was working on the new collection last week (update coming soon). I miss me time. Sleeping in, painting my toenails, reading good blogs, dreaming up new ideas for the blog. Those are things I need in my life. I miss Rein. Skype helps, of course, but I miss all the kisses, and snuggles, and hugs. Just being around him calms me. He's my partner in crime, my biggest supporter, my rock to hide behind.

Just three more weeks. That's all. And then, a completely new world awaits me.

What do you miss most in your life right now?

xo. Hanna

Around Nordrhein-Westfalen // A day in Bonn

It's my last day in Leverkusen, before my final 4 weeks in Tallinn. We've made lots of progress setting up our apartment. Basically, we spent all week unpacking things, cleaning, getting stuff aka spending money, and painting. But, to make this week a little bit less work and more fun, we decided to start a new tradition.

Rein has a semester ticket from school which allows him to use all public transportation in the region for free, and with that ticket he can also take one person with him after 7pm and on weekends. Amazing deal, right? So, I had the idea that we should take advantage of this opportunity and visit every city/town in the region during our 4-year period here. I'd love to get to know Germany more, and also the region we live it. Also, it's a good motivator to get our asses off the couch on weekends.

So, yesterday we visited Bonn, the birth town of Beethoven, one of my very favorite composers. We walked in his footsteps visiting his birth house, and church where he worked as an organist, and the Beethoven family's house where he grew up in. It's funny to think how the times change. As we wondered the streets I kept on imagining what it must've been like almost 250 years ago.

And, of course, we also saw the opera house, where, in fact, the Estonian baritone Priit Volmer is working right now. Who knows, living and working in Bonn might be in our future as well.

Our last stop was Starbucks. If you didn't know, then Estonia doesn't have Starbucks. So, this was my first taste of the famous Pumpkin Spice Latte. Oh my, was it delicious! Even Rein, who doesn't drink coffee, said he'd drink that.

I loved our day in Bonn, and I'm sure we'll be back.

In other news, I've been on a search for good German blogs (written in German that is). If you happen to know any, please leave your suggestions in the comments!

Have a wonderful evening!
xo. Hanna

Sunday Spirit // The selected works of a young photographer

The girl with a smile

The rabbit

The crooked books

The hand

The still life of toys

The duck face

The joker

Today I have the honor of introducing the work of a talented young photographer I've had the pleasure of working together with recently. I'm always amazed at her energy and the way she sees the world from her own unique perspective. I'm especially inspiring by her use of angles and focal points. Something I should definitely work on in my own photography.

I'm sure she's going to grow up to be a wonderfully gifted artist. No doubt. And then I'll sell the originals and make millions. So, this is basically my retirement fund.

Photography by Susanna Paal

You just remember that name. She might be just 3 years old now, but wait till she gets old enough to hold a full-frame camera.

Cheers to young talent!
xo. Hanna

Sunday Spirit: My second home

If one can have two homes, then this is my second. Or, perhaps, it is my first. It's the first place in my life that truly felt like home. It's where I felt a sense of peace. And content. Even as a little child, when I wasn't able to put into words how this place made me feel, I knew it was special.

It's my Grandparents' house in the South of Estonia. Maybe it's special because I spent the best part of my summers there with my cousins. Or maybe because we always gather there with my uncle's family and cousins for family celebrations. Or maybe, it's because it's where my Grandma lives. She is truly an inspirational person. She is the one who brings us together. It's her warmth and love that makes this place so special. Makes it feel like home.

Funny, how an imminent move to another country can make you think about these things. Home. Family. The things that matter in life. I sure hope that being further away will not make us grow apart.

Do you have a special place in your life?

xo. Hanna

Sunday Spirit // Snapshots from Hiiumaa

Today I thought I'd share a few snapshots from our trip to Hiiumaa last week. Hiiumaa is the second largest island in Estonia, and we were there camping with Rein's family, who lives there, and some friends. It was just the right mix of sitting by the campfire, having a laugh, sightseeing and good food.

I have an exciting announcement to make tomorrow, so check back for words for the week, and something a little different ;)

Happy Sunday!
xo Hanna