I have so much to write about today, lots of great stories, but I'm tired so I'm going to take a blog break since I have loads of prep work to do for next week! What is happening next week??? Ohhhh fun times!  My dear friend and creative partner-in-crime, Leslie Shewring, will fly to Hannover to work with me for a week! We begin the styling and photography part of our book next week and I can't wait! It will be very satisfying to see our ideas come to light and she and I work so beautifully together that I know nothing but love will go into this project which will show in the work, I'm sure. Creative work is like that, you get out what you put in it emotionally. I've been very busy ordering props and getting what is needed in order for us to make a huge dent in this project with her and well, it's Friday afternoon and I'm tired after running around all week. I want to have a glass of white wine after my final skype meeting today and chill out. You know that feeling, right? When you just need to rest and get yourself mentally prepared for a huge project? It's funny, I felt today like I really needed fresh flowers - but nothing from the store - something wild. And I was thinking where in the world I would find them as you can't just run into someone else's yard with a pair of scissors, right? So after my husband and I went on a lunch date, there was this random lady selling lilacs on the street that she cut from her yard - a bunch for only 2 Euros, and well... I couldn't resist. And I couldn't believe it. Look at these beauties in deep purple and a pale violet...

My home smells like a dream. That is definitely enough to make a weekend more beautiful, isn't it? And so affordable and special. I love that this stuff happens when you need it the most. I was really craving fresh cut blooms and these are just perfect. They looked so pretty wrapped in newspaper with their perky blooms peeking out as we walked home. I kept thinking of how much it's those little moments in life that mean more than anything else. The simple things. Do you find this too? Like things happen at the right time and often you are struck by the fact that they were the easiest and most simple things?

And by the way, the trick with preserving floral branches is to either cut an "X" at the bottom of the stem to open them up or hammer the bottoms lightly. You want to spread the bottom of the stem so they can drink water easily. As we were walking, this lady came out of her little clothing shop and told my husband how to preserve them longer - out of the blue - she just walked out from her shop and explained to him how to gently hammer them. I just smiled. I love my town. I love openness and caring and simple, beautiful little things. I hope you can find something simple and beautiful to cheer you this weekend too. Try hard to find something while your out and about that is cheap or free but that warms your heart and take note of what it is. That way, the next time you need a lift, you have a note of what lifted your spirits the time before. For me, it's always flowers, good friends and well, the love we feel from others who care.

It is a holiday here in Germany on Monday, so I'm taking off, but I'll be back on Tuesday to blog so I'll meet you back here then. Have a wonderful weekend!

(images: holly becker)