Un Mois en Europe

Aaaaand we're off.  Heading back to Brussels with trips to London, Paris, Frankfurt, and maybe Zurich, ending with a sweet week in Florence. Four years ago we spent nearly two months in Brussels.  Last year, it was just a week.  I think a month will do us just fine.

I'll try to keep blogging....mostly with those random finds, discoveries, and oddities I come across.  The kids are older now, so I'm expecting it'll be a little easier - but then, that's probably a mistake.

A bientôt.

Les Maisons en Europe

Brussels

Amsterdam

London

Berlin

Switzerland

Florence

Paris

We are heading back for month of July this summer. Kids aren't so thrilled, but what do they know.  They know exactly nothing, that's what they know.  Actually, they know that the yogurt tastes way better in Belgium.  And they know that it's rainy and cold in July.  Aaaaaand they know that if you don't watch your step, you'll probably step in dog poo.  But maybe with more travel, we can be sure to show them clean sidewalks (London), yucky yogurt (Italy), and sparkling weather (Paris).

Dudes Factory

via Cool Hunter

via Cool Hunter

Tees, skate paraphernalia, art. And more art.  Great website, with featured artists-of-the-month. 

From Cool Hunter:

Arnaud Loix van Hooff and Heribert Willmerdinger, both from the advertising world, have opened Dudes Factory, at Torstrasse 138 in Berlin’s Mitte. This is as much a storefront for consuming and buying art, as it is a workshop, collaborative space and exhibition venue. Cooperation, experimentation and co-creation are the driving forces resulting in a constantly changing selection of one-of-a-kind products and art pieces.

 

 

The two owner “dudes” invite a new artist or designer in each month, and nurture, challenge and direct the artists to create new, experimental works for the store. They also created the Dudes LAB software, the creative platform that lets users change the artwork or combine it with the work of other artists. - Bill Tikos, Cool Hunter

And who wouldn't want a funny-fun tee?  I know a coupla kids that would go total ape-sh*t in this store.  Only it's in Berlin, so I'm not sure ape-sh*it would be appreciated.  And the prices aren't cheap.  Still.  It looks like a hit parade for my two knuckleheads.  Dudes Factory.  The one in Berlin.

Mod Leftovers

"Kubus" set of stacking glass containers, Wilhelm Wagenfeld

Bauhaus.  1938.  From MoMA:  "Stackable, modular, space-saving, and hygienic, they could be transferred directly from refrigerator or cupboard to the dining table, and encouraged the thrifty use of leftovers."

Being a fussbudget and someone that is loathe to put any condiment jar or Tupperware® container on the dinner table, these would suit me just fine.

Celebrating Oktoberfest Quietly

I'm not one for an enormous crowd of beer swilling, cherry-cheek drunkards - reminds me too much of college.  And I'm not one for loud, clanky beer steins - or really any beer stein, for that matter.

But -

With this chill in the air we're having and the turning of the leaves, I feel a little wanderlust for Germany.  Particularly, after stumbling upon this hotel that is situated perfectly in the middle of Munich.

No crowds here.

No spills, lederhosen, or glockenspiel left behind...

and yet, seems appropriately Bavarian with the subtle touches of wood, color, and hearth.

 

and a room with a view.

LOUIS HOTEL 

Viktualienmarkt 6 • 80331 Munich •Germany