Weekend Report: Final Days of Summer

Hello and happy new week to you! I thought it may be nice to do a mini weekend report and though I may not do this every Monday, I think sharing my more personal life is a nice thing to do from time to time. Plus, I'm always keen on seeing what my blogger pals are up to when they're not blogging - it's fun to go behind the scenes and hear about their everyday adventures whether it is things they did, found, saw, what inspired them - all of it... So here is a recap of what I did this weekend in mostly photos that I took with my iPhone. I hope that you see something that makes you smile.

Flowers from the farmers' market put me in the weekend mood...

Then I visited an outdoor traveling fabric and notions market here from the Netherlands on Saturday. So much inspiration. I can't wait until it returns again in November!

So many fun patterns and colors. Most of these are from Westfalen, a German fabric company that specializes in these cutesy country prints.

I couldn't resist bringing some home with me...

I decided to put some of the flowers I picked up the day before in my sitting room...

And some more in my dining room... These English roses are so romantic and I adore all of the intricate folds because they look like tissue paper yet feel like silk.

In addition to flowers, I picked up something else fresh this weekend - sweet corn brought in from the country! I prepared it as a simple meal for dinner and it was delish!

I walk everyday, but not always taking photos! This weekend, I took a walk around my neighborhood and snapped some photos for you because the architecture here inspires me so much. I have lived here for three years now and it still feels as exciting and new as it did the day I arrived. I really love living here.

How could a neighborhood like this NOT inspire me?

The red phone booth is an British import and is not used, just left on display - I really don't know where it came from, who brought it here or what the story really is behind it but it's cute and makes me smile whenever I pass.

I felt lucky to catch the sunset. It's a magical time of night, don't you think? I really enjoy strolling around, it helps me to collect and sort my thoughts.

On Sunday, I went to this cafe nearby for lemonade. It was very quiet inside because everyone was out at the neighborhood street festival and flea market. This particular cafe is for parents and children so there is a play space and little tables dotted around for the kids. All of the shops were open yesterday, which is rare because Germans do not shop on Sundays. All of the stores are closed, only some bakeries are open, flower shops and cafes. But yesterday was a very special "Open Sunday" that is a pretty big deal. Stores put balloons outside and have prosecco, pastries, wine and other treats for their customers because it's a special treat to be open.

Here is a 14-year-old boy who was playing acoustic guitar in front of this shop that is new in our neighborhood and specializes in selling cork products handmade (and grown) in Portugal. His voice was amazing and he played so well. I liked some of his John Mayer tunes.

I went to visit my friend, Thomas, and took a quick shot of his kitchen where he has the best display of wonderful things. He is a chef but could easily be a stylist. Such a talented man. He had a flea market on the street during the festival so I picked up a cute vintage board game circa 1971 shown below.

This cute board game, complete with wooden play pieces, was a must have. It's in German and still had the original letter from the manufacturer in it dated 1971. I love stuff like this...

I really enjoyed the festive atmosphere with open shops, tables in the streets where people were selling things, eating, drinking... And in general the vibe was so positive and laid back. Germans are so laid back in general.

During the flea market, a friend invited me back to her apartment and I had to photograph the old German tile work in her hallway. So typical here in older buildings yet I never tire of it!

I popped into my friend Danielle's shop, Sommerfugl, and then went to my other friends store called Sandras Kleinod. I picked up this pretty needlepoint pinboard that she made. I have to find wall space for it but had to show you -- I really like it.

My weekend ended with wine and snacks on the outdoor patio with my friends by candlelight. What a gorgeous, happy ending.

What did you do this weekend?

(images: holly becker on my iphone)