5 tips for the weekend #7

Wow, it’s been ages since the last “5 tip for the weekend” post, I know. It’s back again!

Btw, I recently noticed that some of your comments ended up in my spam folder – now I keep checking it regularly before deleting the spam comments (although that’s totally annoying…), but in case your comment went missing before I started doing that – I’m sorry! I love all your lovely comments!!! Maybe I just need to get a better spam-filter.

#1 craft idea: paint some shoes!

shoe refashion
source: E-outfit.com

#2 movie you should see

“Coco before Chanel” 2009

I’ve seen this movie more than once and love it. It’s not full of action and certainly not suspense-packed, since we know how it ends, but Audrey Tautou portrays Gabrielle Chanel’s life before she became famous as Coco Chanel in such a beautiful way. It’s a must see for all seamstresses out there!

If you’re not convinced yet, here’s the trailer.

#3 book you won’t regret reading

“The secret life of Marilyn Monroe” – J.R. Taraborrelli

I’ve just finished this book and can only recommend it. It’s one of the few well-researched books about her, sweeping a lot of wrong facts and rumors out of the way. I enjoyed reading it and found it to be the best Monroe biography so far.

#4 recipe to try on the weekend:

Sun-dried tomato cilantro hummus!

Sun-dried tomato cilantro hummus
Source: abeautifulmess.com

Doesn’t that look delicious? You can find the recipe at abeautifulmess.com.

#5 Play around with your camera and make a stop-motion short film!

It needs quite a bit concentration, but making a stop-motion short film is so much fun! It might be a challenge to get your children interested in this, but maybe you get them to make one of the process of tidying up their rooms 😉

This one made by some of my friends is absolutely adorable and inspiring:
(Watch out, their song will be stuck in your head all weekend 🙂 )

The Pursuit of Happiness from Martin Büttner on Vimeo.

 

5 tips for the weekend #5

Sorry, I really neglected my Five Tips For The Weekend during the last few weeks, but I was really busy with exams and the whole holidays thing. Anyway, here are my five tips for the upcoming weekend:

#1 craft idea: detachable collar using an old shirt collar as  pattern

I love the idea and am definitely going to try this asap!
You will find the tutorial at burdastyle – have fun!

#2 movie you should re-watch every year 

I love to watch and re-watch Lion King – it’s totally worth it! I think it’s the best Disney movie and definitely one of the best animated films ever made – also, not only for kids 😉 And the perfect choice to watch with the family on a cold winter sunday.

 

#3 book you won’t regret reading

Momo is an awesome fantasy novel by Michael Ende and one of my favorite books of all time. Although widely considered a childrens book, it’s not.

 

#4 recipe to try on the weekend


After all the holiday-overindulgence, here’s a low-calorie recipie for Honey-Soy Broiled Salmon.

Too bad I couldn’t find a better picture, because this dish looks so delicious!

 

#5 try a 365 project

A Beautiful Mess shared some thoughts about 365 projects for the new year. I totally love the idea and will think about it, but I’m afraid my lack of discipline will ruin any plan.
Have you ever done something alike?

5 tips for the weekend #4

#1 book you won’t regret reading

Shadow of the Wind (Spanish: La sombra del viento) is a truly timeless masterpiece by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. The novel – typical for Zafón- is actually a story within a story. A love story, a mystery and for some a thriller. The book is breathtakingly beautiful and thrilling at the same time. It’s not a small book, but a pageturner you won’t be able to put down as soon as you’re through the first chapters. So there’s a great chance to read it through over the weekend.

I strongly recommend it for every book lover and bibliophile out there. As soon as you start reading, you’ll know why.

The follow-up’s of this book are as good as this one. The second book The Angel’s Game is actually a prequel to Shadow of the Wind. At the moment I’m reading the third book of the series, The Prisoner of Heaven. Although it’s kind of a series, it doesn’t really matter with what book to start with, but if it’s your first Zafón, the Shadow of the Wind is probably the best choice.

 

#2 movie you shouldn’t miss 

Finding Neverland is a beautiful movie about the playwright J.M. Barrie (Johnny Depp – reason #1). That name rings a bell? It’s the author of Peter Pan (reason #2)!
The movie is about his relationship to a woman called Sylvia (Kate Winslet) and her sons which inspired him to write the Peter Pan story.
The movie is beautifully directed (Marc Foster – reason #3) and would be a great fun to watch with the whole family!

 

#3 craft idea: recycled record coasters

my so called crafty life has the cute idea of recylcling old vinyl records to fun looking coasters. Way better than just throwing them away.There are thousands and thousands of ideas how to craft something beautiful out of old records and this one is such an easy one!

 

#4 recipe to try on the weekend

Yummy homemade peppermint marshmallows! Recipe found at brown eyed baker.

 

#5 Secret Santa with your family or friends!

Do a Secret Santa with your family or friends this weekend! The more people the more fun it is. Pick names and give the person a little gift anonymously. If there are smaller kids in your family that won’t be able to buy or craft gifts themslves, you could do each other little secret favours without letting the other know that it was you.

You will be surprised how fast the little ones will find enjoyment in secretly cleaning the kitchen or tidying up the living room!

It’s also a fun thing to do at work or with friends you see on a regular basis. Pick another name every week – perfect occasion to give away all your little crafty handmade gifts.

 

5 tips for the weekend #3

#1 book that’s absolutely worth reading

A novel from the author of Sophie’s World – perfect for the first December weekend. It’s short, it’s christmassy and well-written. It’s philosophical (of course) – Jostein Gaarder makes you think in a beautiful way. It’s sad, but in a way makes you happy reading it. I loved Sophie’s World and I love this as well.

#2 movie you shouldn’t miss 

Edward Scissorhands is one of my favorite non-christmassy Christmas movies (if you know what I mean). It’s a beautiful fairytale told by Tim Burton with Johnny Depp in the lead. If you need to explain to your kids where the snow comes from and they just won’t believe your mother Hulda (Frau Holle) stories, watch this movie together!

#3 craft idea for the weekend – sock monkey!

I found this beautiful website called craftbits.com. They have a really good sock monkey sewing tutorial – too cute! And a good stocking filler.

#4 recipe to try on the weekend

Sweet and spicy peanut brittle – recipe found at A Beautiful Mess. Looks so delicous!

#5 instead of filling your Advent calendars with sweets – fill it with your time

Time is precious and often much more appreciated than other gifts. Even with kids – try it out. During Christmas season there’s chocolate everywhere, but time is scarce.

Why not put little time vouchers in the Advent calendars of your kids/friends/parents/partners? Vouchers for baking gingerbread together, time for reading stories or going to the Christmas markets, time for collecting chestnuts outside or building snowmans together. Time for making mulled wine yourselves and watching old movies. They’ll love it!

 

 

5 tips for the weekend #2

#1 book that’s absolutely worth reading

Special Topics in Calamity PhysicsMarisha Pessl

A great novel I read a few years ago. It’s written in the style of the syllabus for an English Literature course and is despite of the cheesy-looking cover not a particular girly book. Basically, it’s a crime story and full of literary and cinematic references (which I really love), although some of them are made up. (Reminds me of House of Leaves, but that one deserves a post of its own.)

#2 movie you shouldn’t miss 

Ink (2009) – “A dark, wondrous, poetic tale”.

An amazing indie film that deserves to be much more popular! It tells a beautiful story about the forces controlling good dreams and nightmares, and will blow your mind with one or another twist. Oh, and the soundtrack is just enchanting!

#3 craft idea

I fell in love with this dinnerware idea. Brooklynlimestone.com has a short tutorial.

#4 recipe to try on the weekend


Recipe found here. Looks delicous.

#5 do you know about trashion?

Trashion (a portmanteau of “trash” and “fashion”) is a term for art, jewelry, fashion and objects for the home created from used, thrown-out, found and repurposed elements.”

I found a really good blog about trashion that’s worth checking out. Do you still have some old shirts or other clothes that could need some upcycling over the weekend?

This Pinterest page has some fun ideas!