Kate Spade never fails to inspire me with something bold and now that I live abroad, what looks very, very American all of a sudden. And it’s nice. Here are some fabulous Kate Spade things mixed with rooms that feel a tad bit Kate-inspired from two of my favorite magazines Livingetc in England and House Beautiful in America. The best of both worlds!
And by the way… I thought I’d share a bit about expat life for a moment if you don’t mind. It’s interesting how when you grow up in one country like me and then relocate to Europe and start to settle in how very American certain behavior, fashion, interiors, even “text speak”, slang and pop culture (like reality television!) really are. While in the states I never gave it much thought but now that I’m here someone will say, “Oh that sounds so American!” or “Your way of speaking German is so cute – it’s sooo American!” (is that good or bad by the way, I can’t quite decide!). And so today, exactly 6 months since I relocated here, I’m finally starting to sink into what this whole, that or this looks sooo American really means. And I like it. In my city, I’m exotic. I like being exotic.
+ Kate Spade — you indeed are very American and that is a very good thing.
(images: kate spade, house beautiful, livingetc)
January 15th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
I LOVE everything about Kate Spade. She is definitely Bright, Bold, and Beautiful!! Happy weekend to you Holly ~~
.-= laura trevey´s last blog ..Nautical Chic =-.
January 15th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Holly, can you give a few examples of things that you do and say that get the “that’s so American” response? I’m totally interested. And can you give an example or two of things that “look” American? I’m really just very interested. It’s nice to see these things from a different perspective.
It’s neat that you say you feel “exotic.” I hope you never give up the things that make you YOU, that are indeed specifically American, =) even as you become more and more settled into your new life.
.-= Shanon´s last blog ..*sniff* =-.
January 15th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
those boots with the bow is to die for!!! And the colored tights. lovely!
.-= nina´s last blog ..house of pretties =-.
January 15th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
I love the way that Kate Spade is reflected in the room decor. Great feel, color and eclectic charm. Nice combo…
.-= Manette´s last blog ..Rare Ocean Beauty Sea Glass Necklace =-.
January 15th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Shanon – of course! thank you for asking…
* Speaking English is totally cool here. People often pause just to listen to me talking to my husband or friend in a store and then they totally try to say something to me in English which is really, really nice. You don’t hear English spoken in my city nearly as much as in other large German cities so that’s what I mean by “I’m Exotic”, I’m something fresh and new here where as in America I just blend because everyone speaks English there. I guess it’s like when you are in school in America and that foreign exchange student shows up in class from Germany and it’s just SO COOL you know? Oh and I must add… little kids LOVE hearing me talk. They love it when I speak “American”. They don’t say English, as they are taught here in school “Oxford” English or British English… but I speak American. That’s cute, huh?
* Jeans, t-shirts, sports caps, sneakers. Worn together at the same time. Very American. Especially white sneakers.
* Text speak. I don’t think German kids have an equivalent when they text in German. Any German parents reading… do they?
* Reality TV. We get some American ones on our English cable programs but not many.
* Shaking hands. VERY American. VERY.
* The way we talk over one other when we speak. Ha ha, I do this. ;) Or finish the sentences of our friends for them. That excited way of talking — Germans do not talk this way. They wait until the other is finished and then begin.
* Certain design and brands like Levis, JCrew, GAP, Kate Spade, Martha Stewart, Pottery Barn, gosh I could go on forever. You don’t realize how many brands we have until you move over here.
* Baseball. Also very American. And football.
* Halloween. This is not commonly celebrated here, only recently are Germans starting to catch on to it but it’s not at all common and most don’t even care about it. Kids don’t have Halloween parties for instance. Halloween is considered a very American holiday.
* Big cars. Cars here are smaller, very compact. Golf, Fiat, Minis, things like that.
* Credit Cards. Also considered VERY American. People here get loans from banks if they want credit but credit cards aren’t at all popular here like in the states. Not the kind with huge balances anyway.
* Music + Films – Lots of Germans watch and listen to American music and films. Of course, the movies are dubbed but still… These things are consider very cool, very American.
* Speaking loudly in public places. VERY American. I had to turn down the volume since I moved over because others would often give me the stink eye. Whenever I’m in a restaurant or cafe, I can always spot the Americans because out of the whole place, they are the only ones that speak so loudly I hear them from across the room. Americans are very loud when compared to Germans in public places. We scream for our kids to get into the car, we yell for our dog to come in, and our conversations are not private when dining or in cafes, the people next to you can hear us loud and clear. Here it is quite different. If you are seated in a cafe you most likely will not hear others speaking so loudly that you’d be able to hear each and every word.
Gosh I could go on and on and on…
Oh and you know how we see Germans are pretzel and sausage eaters and beer drinkers? Germans see Americans as always eating at McDonalds, shopping at Walmart, and eating at “All You Cat Eat” buffets, of course while living in huge houses and driving around massive cars. But just as not all Americans are this way, all Germans aren’t the way we’ve often thought too.
January 15th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
I remember flying back from a trip to Japan and arriving in the airport in Los Angeles and it was like someone turned the volume UP. After weeks of not hearing anyone talk on their phone in public or raise their voice in any public forum, it was shocking to come back.
I love your “I’m exotic” approach. I will have to try and adopt that one while traveling, rather than the “I’m an ugly American, they probably hate me” mentality.
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Ok, I’ve decided something =-.
January 15th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
As a non-American I can agree with some of the things you’ve mentioned Holly, especially the speaking loudly part. I have American friends and they do speak loudly. I didn’t think anything of it. I thought it was just them being them but then when I was in Hawaii I found a lot of people did the same. I watched a sports game and during the bus trip back to our hotel I heard just about everyone’s converstations as much as I tried not to so that I wasn’t being intrusive. And then people who didnt know each other, overheard each others conversations and started speaking with each other. Before I knew it the whole bus was involved in the same conversation (mainly around the match we had just watched). It was nice. Very friendly.
.-= Viv´s last blog ..Fashion Friday: Bloganistas =-.
January 15th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
I’d love to live in a different country for a while too. Every day would be such a new adventure. Even doing the simple, boring, everday stuff would become interesting doing it all in a new culture and language!
Great to hear your examples and stories!
Enjoy your weekend :-)
Cheers, Karen
.-= Karen´s last blog ..Tuesday Tea Party – Coffee and chocolates for you all! =-.
January 15th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
I loved your little snippet about being “so American”. I’m a New Zealander who’s been living in the US since 2001. When I first arrived it took a long time to get over the strange looks people would give me when I talked. Now I sometimes forget I even have accent. But even funnier, when I go back to New Zealand, they say I sound like an American – not because of my accent but because of the terminology I use. So really I can’t win now!
.-= Sam from Minnie Taylor´s last blog ..Keeping Warm =-.
January 15th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Kate is my god! ~~Sigh~~~
.-= Danielle´s last blog ..Picture Happy =-.
January 15th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Whenever I travel abroad, once I’m submersed for a day or so, I actually get to the point of being able to “spot” Americans. By no means in a negative way but I truly think we have a way of carrying ourselves (speech, movement, dress, you name it) that is unique to Americans.
I always found Germans to be so wonderful when I’ve visited. Admittedly, although half German, I am limited to the Pennsylvania German that my grandparents spoke and enough true German to get me around, but I’ve found them to be much more forgiving of mistakes and every eager to learn English. :)
I LOVE those boots and those tights and I’m thinking, the right color combo, you could have a perfect outfit with a really neat skirt! (Hmmm, perhaps I need to do a little shopping this weekend.)
Thank you for sharing!
January 16th, 2010 at 6:00 am
I know exactly what you mean! Whenever I go to visit my husband’s family in India I stick out like a sore thumb – it’s a remote place and for many I’m the first white person they’ve every seen (pressure!). I suddenly realize just how British I am and all the perceptions people have of the British. I get exactly the same treatment in India and it’s lovely because it does make you feel kind of exotic and interesting. ;)
.-= Nem´s last blog ..Friday Five =-.
January 16th, 2010 at 7:20 am
A few more:
In Germany, pouring a beer without a head. Very American. (to get a great head on beer, just rinse the glass out with ice cold water and dry it before pouring the beer into it). A beer in Germany takes 7 minutes to pour correctly. Because it HAS to have a head!
Popcorn. It’s really American. It exists in Germany, but is a very American thing. In Germany, it’s often sweet, like Cracker Jacks.
Near Frankfurt, driving slow in the right hand lane on the Autobahn. :) (that’s where all the American GI’s were based, near Frankfurt)
Really potent vitamins. Very American. Germans think they are dangerous.
Antibiotics and antihistamines. VERY American. In Germany you suffer through and take homeopathic drops. A drippy nose is considered positive because the cold is coming out.
Driving everywhere. Oh so American. Germans walk, take bikes and public transportation.
DRYERS. The most American of all appliances. They exist in Germany, but most people use drying racks. Yes, even in the dead of winter.
Saying “excuse me” if you bump into someone by accident. We constantly say it in America. I notice it when I am there. In Germany they just look at you when you say it. Someone at IKEA actually said to me, “Why are you excusing yourself? You didn’t knock me down or anything!”
.-= diana strinati baur´s last blog ..Gratitude Friday =-.
January 16th, 2010 at 9:03 am
i love the kate spade rainbow striped bag!
.-= pam´s last blog ..Prairie Gothic Half Apron for Women with Jane Sassaman Fabric =-.
January 16th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Everything looks amazing! And colors, so bright, definetly a mood-booster. With those boots and umbrella, even a rainy day sounds like a joy :)
January 17th, 2010 at 12:27 am
oh yes v American loving it, I also feel extremely special being in the US and being English – apparently my accent’s sooooo cute, though in England I have a regional midlands accent (ie not very cute in the slightest!)! Enjoy being ‘different’
January 17th, 2010 at 9:15 am
I’m a new reader and I totally love your blog so I’ve spent the last few days reading through most of your 2009 posts. So much fun!
I’m an American living in Japan with my Japanese husband and four daughters. We’ve lived here for over eight years and although I really like it I’m kind of sick of being a “foreigner”. In the beginning I was surprised at the compliments I got (your skin is so white, your head is so small!) and how everyone would try to speak to me in Japanese. I felt very welcomed but now I’m over it!!!
January 17th, 2010 at 11:27 am
Hello ! it’s the first time I write on your stylish and fresh blog eventhough I read it since a long time … your comment about living in a foreign country made me smile, I’m a French woman living in the US, New-York and then Los Angeles, and I have absolutely the same feeling as you, “being exotic” ! speaking English with a “beautiful” accent and coming from an “amazing” place sound sometimes like polite sentences but we bring some dream in the everydaylife of the people around us, French people who think it’s just too hard to begin a new life from scratch and American people who like stories … just like yours !
January 17th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
German Text Speak spotted!
GLG (Ganz Liebe Grüsse) Bet there’s more where this came from.
.-= diana strinati baur´s last blog ..The Ceramic Series: The Kiln, Sgraffito and Resists (Part One) =-.
January 17th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
I can’t believe you’ve been there for 6 months already! I love hearing about the differences between German/Americans. You’re so very worldly!
.-= Miss E´s last blog ..Plant Dreams and a Distraction with Pretty Dresses =-.
January 17th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
I adore Kate Spade! Like the colours and everything – and sorry hope you don´t mind: I adore always your explaining of living in Germany as an American – so interesting – and making me smile about myself :-))
thanks for your blog!
.-= dolores´s last blog ..Amsterdam… =-.
January 17th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
kate spade is one of my fav…
everything looks amazing!!
.-= ohlivngs´s last blog ..Best experience with Electric Water Heaters =-.
January 17th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Thanks for all those examples, Holly! They are so interesting to learn about, and thank you Diana too!
I have a little personal experience with speaking differently… when we moved to California people would sometimes mention my Minnesota accent, usually thinking I was from Montana or Wisconsin. Haha! And while we lived in Georgia people REALLY went crazy over the accent, and often they thought I was from New York, which was especially weird!
.-= Shanon´s last blog ..*sniff* =-.
January 18th, 2010 at 11:14 am
LOVE Kate Spade, the striped tote is so cute and totally reminds me of Rainbow Brite (the doll)! Very interesting insights on “American” things, that’s so nice that you get to experience two different cultures and enjoy the best of both worlds.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Pretty Butterflies =-.
January 18th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
I love Kate Spade and her pops of color. They just make life more fun!
.-= jamieofalltrades´s last blog ..salmon a la joat =-.
January 18th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
That’s so funny – when I lived in New Zealand they used to tell me that I was SO AMERICAN. I embraced it – i didn’t hide my accent and was proud to bring a little bit of culture to their life, too. Love the post!
January 19th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
How nice to move to a new country and finally be exotic. As a transplanted Brit in SF Bay area, I can relate, but there are so many of us here we’re not all that exciting. Funny thing is, I was completely sure Kate Spade was British up till now!
January 20th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
just catching up on my decor8 reading and LOVED this post. not only for the kate spade (i’m obsessed), but for the notes on living abroad. i’ve been traveling a lot over the past few years (and my hubby’s family is german) and agree the handshaking seems to be very american (in europe, everyone kisses, hence “bussbuss”) and the white tennis shoes…SO american. in paris i refused to wear sneakers because i was afraid the locals would kick me out, even though they were far more comfy for exploring. i should have just told myself i’d be “exotic.” heehee.
but mostly i agree about the volume level observation. especially when coming back from japan. we americans are insanely loud in comparison (which is certainly fun and more exuberant sometimes)… even the kids in asia and europe are so much quieter, never screaming and yelling and i suspect that has a lot to do with their parents speaking in a much calmer way/volume…
so interesting…please keep these posts coming!
February 4th, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Hey Holly! I enjoyed reading your expat comment here. I am also an expat…from South Carolina to Bali, Indonesia. I feel the same way and people often think it’s cute when I speak Bahasa Indonesian…not only do I have an American way of speaking…but I am also a Southerner SO…people rather enjoy hearing my sound. Most of the tourist here are from other asian countries, europe or australia so for an American Southerner to transplant herself in Indonesia…it’s interesting for me and those here!
Thanks again. Love your blog!