Quality Journalism

I could go on about my cool birthday presents (thanks for the b-wishes in the comments box, by the way!) for weeks...and actually still might do that, but I also wanted to share something with you which I found hilariously funny. Yesterday, I visited my great-uncle in hospital (he's the husband of the great-aunt who recently died and not in great health, either) and as usual brought him some of the magazines he likes, the kind you always find at hairdressers and in doctors' waiting rooms and feel almost embarrassed paying for at your supermarket. I was idly leafing through one of them, when I noticed something strange. Something very strange indeed. In a two-page article on German tv presenter Florian Silbereisen only the photos and title of the article were "real" whereas the actual text including the captions and subtitles were placeholder dummy text of the "lorem ipsum" variety and basically variations of the sentence "I am a dummy text" in German. 2 pages of it!

More noticebale in the close-up:
Some editor is so going to lose his job...

For This, I Would Even Have Come in on Saturday!

Yesterday was a superduper cool day at the office. As I've already mentioned, I was surprised by the festive decoration all over and around my desk. Yay! An hour or so later, there was a FedEx delivery (and we know, only really important people get FedExes, right?!) containing a pressie from the Empress. Yay! A very pretty bag-shaped key-charm and an equally pretty card with a cherry-blossom motif. Oh, she knows me so well! 

Theeeen I got showered with presents by my Vienna-based colleagues, including a subscription for UK Marie Claire (!) and "because the goodies that you like so much are never included" I also got a gift card from Make Up For Ever and a zippered bag made of a recycled bathing cap. And a very cool card. Ahhhh.

To top it all, MC conjured up a so-called "Millenniumstorte" decorated with flecks of gold. It was even better than it looked: like a Sachertorte 2.0!

Expectations are somewhat high for the (much dreaded) big 4-oh (no!) next year, I have to say. The again, I might dig a hole and hide on that day.

Not Superstitious

Some people are shocked if you wish them "Happy Birthday" before the actual day. I'm clearly not one of those and so (in addition to a combined Christmas/birthday pressie by Prefab Babe I got 2 weeks ago) have happily accepted gifts for my birthday tomorrow already earlier this week. Such as a gorgeously wrapped "beauty kit" by the Mermaid who's obviously concerned about my appearance and has decided to invest in potent maintenance products: 

Yesterday, I had lunch with Amica whose generous offerings included this pretty (and very fragrant!) bouquet ("Wow, that's a wedding bouquet!" the Scholar exclaimed) and vase: 
So, even though I'm still only a juvenile   childish 38, I've already been spoilt for 2 birthdays. Liking it!

UPDATE: I wrote this post yesterday. When I came to work this morning, I was puzzled to see the blinds of the window right next to my desk down. Hmmm? Perhaps the cord is broken? When I opened the door, I knew why the blinds were drawn: to hide the garlands and HAPPY BIRTHDAY bunting all over my desk. I was as surprised as I was touched! Nice job, guys.

Royalty Galore

Let me guess: you have  a cousin in Hamburg? 

Seen in front of Lugner City, Vienna.

Sugar Coma HQ

On Sunday, Mademoiselle and I went to check out the Cupcakes shop on Josefstädter Straße. It's a really cute "girly" kind of shop that looks very inviting indeed:

There's a big range of very pretty cupcakes. I had tried 3 different varieties from that shop before when the Empress had brought some back to the office from a lunch-break excursion there and shared them with the girls. I remember the tops being very heavy on the cream cheese side (as opposed to buttery cream as is often the case with cupcakes) and the mango cupcake I picked definitely was like that as well. A carrot cake base with a cream-cheese top that I found impossible to finish. Mademoiselle who chose a ganache cupcake (think chocolate worth a whole box of pralines or truffles) rightly remarked that the French would have made a pastry one third of these cupcakes and it would still suffice. I agree: the taste was good, but the size is simply overwhelming and makes it impossible to sample more than one, unless you share.

 

There are only 2 small coffee-tables with 4 chairs each and 1 party table where you can eat standing up. The cute little melamin (?) plates and several cupcake-related knick-knacks can be bought along with themed biscuits in tins.

To be honest, I like the look and novelty of them but I'm not really big into cupcakes and so far, my favourite has to be Henry's, which also was a much more manageable size.

Still, it was a very cute and original shop and a place where I might return with my little godchild who loves all thinks pink and girly.

They Just Can't Help It

(Video has been re-uploaded in better quality)

The Viennese, they certainly like to waltz, be it in the ballroom or on the ice-rink. On Sunday, I went skating at Eislaufverein with the PP's sister and we were very impressed by the (old) couples walzing elegantly on their skates. Here's a brief glimpse of the performance:

Hey! We've Met Before...

Winter made a comeback last night. This is what Heldenplatz looked like this morning:

Ironically, the skiing I had planned for yesterday had to be cancelled because of lack of snow. Instead, I went ice-skating. More about that later.

It's That Time of the Year Again

New year, new decluttering resolutions. Before I tackle the really scary projects, I've decided to embark on a major recipe culling mission. I have several stacks of recipes torn out of miscellaneous magazines in addition to 2 big fat folders where I collected several years worth of GUSTO magazines which I subscribed to when I was a student, but which aren't really all that exciting. I'm throwing out all the recipes I'm not very likely to ever try and put the rest in 4 separate ringbinders, one each for "sweet", "meat", "fish" and "veggie" recipes. I've almost finished the first big folder while watching SatC II on DVD (Christmas present).

Let's hope the good intentions last longer than the month of January this time...

Copilot

Recently, I've begun to suspect I'm leading someone else's life. The Empress's, to be precise. Before she moved to France, it was her who would accompany Big Boss to C-Level meetings in different parts of Austria, clad in conservative suits, fine-tuning the presentation she had worked long days and nights on in the car on the way to the meeting. These days, it is me who is doing all of these things. The trips, the suit, the long hours. This morning, the Big Boss, the Scholar and I went to Graz by car and I had to share floorspace with BB's (mother's) dog who accompanied us.
I'm not a dog person at all, but she was remarkably well-behaved and did not throw up in my crotch as she once did to BB's girlfriend. Phew!

Pretty from All Angles

For days a 1950s-style dress has graced a window of Louis Vuitton I *have* to pass every day on my way to and from work. I'm in love with it and it's only the fact that it's a bit too short for my legs (oh, and perhaps the tiny detail that it retails for € 2000) that has kept me from rushing in and buying it.

Until this morning, the mannequin looked the other way and pushed a (different) bag away (?) with her right hand as opposed to the left. 
MC argued that it's actually a rather counterproductive marketing message as it looked as if the woman did not want the bag. Us bag-addicts and LV-initiates know how to read the subtext, though: Try as she might, she cannot avoid the call of the glossy bags.

Orange Inspiration

In Hamburg, I took some pictures with my mobile phone in the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe and Kunsthalle of orange objects that would look nice in my living room. Pity, I had to leave my bag in the cloakroom... 

The Emperor of Döner

In Hamburg, Turkish eateries apparently try hard to differentiate themselves from their competitors.  What better way to stand out than to proclaim yourself emperor and your establishment the "Empire of Döner". The emperor's English language dictionary obviously didn't contain the word "bakery" and so the sign is a slightly awkward mix of English and German, which somewhat undermines the imperial aspirations. But never mind...

Returning from Hamburg without the Ultimate Bargain

Just a quick post to let you know I'm alive and kicking. I was on a mini-break (Sat-Sun)  in Hamburg with my mother whom I treated to the "all-inclusive-package" containing flight, 5* hotel, meals and transportation as a Christmas present. It was a much-needed change of scenery. We visited 4 museums and walked around a lot, one of the reasons why I didn't buy anything really apart from an airport bargain last night. On our way to the very interesting Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe yesterday morning, we passed a department store which advertised a "Männerschlussverkauf". I like the expression, which could be interpreted as "men on sale".
Unfortunately, the store was closed on Sunday. Damn!

The Steffl Syndrome

It's official. Steffl is dangerous. No, let me rephrase this: working near Steffl and being able to check every day whether reductions have switched from 30% to 50% is dangerous for my wallet. This year's object of my desire, a Marc by Marc Jacobs bag. I would have preferred another colour, but bordeaux was the only one left in the sale and I'm not complaining!

Last year's 50% off bargains: Winter Sale 2010: Cocinelle. Summer Sale 2010: Furla.

Mental note to self: must check definition of "habit" in dictionary.

Great Minds Think Alike

I have no idea why on earth people would possibly associate me with a handbag fetish, but as it happens I got a nifty little handbag holder in a velvet pouch as a Christmas gift from Chiquita and another one with a very stylish graphic pattern from Prefab Babe last night. Together with a foldable one (a freebie with the "Blackrock" logo) I got earlier this year, this makes it three: 

As I *do* own (shock!) more than two handbags I definitely have use for all three of them!

It's a Shoe Post

I just wanted to share my new party accessory with you, a pair of foldable ballet flats in faux snakeskin (also available in red and gold) that come in a little pouch and take up almost no space in your bag. I got them from H&M for EUR 9,90 and test-wore them on New Year's Eve. They're the perfect solution for the old slipper issue when you are a) not sure your hosts have any and you b) don't want to ruin your outfit anyway:
Speaking of slippers, I gave my Dad (who always has cold feet) a pair of faux-fur-lined suede Crocs for Christmas which he loved. He has very small feet for a man  so my Mum and I were able to feel for ourselves just how comfortable they are, if not exactly flattering. That's Crocs for you. This is my Mum sporting the sexy pair: 

(Im)practical Joke

Last week, we (the Gazelle, Sporty, the Scholar and the Intern) had lunch at Pickwick's for a change. It was a nice change, too. I sat facing the very tall windows and suddenly noticed something...strange. Can you see it too?

It's a socket wayyyyy up by the window's arch. There were identically positioned sockets next to all the windows, in fact. I wonder what those power outlets you cannot possibly reach without a ladder are for. Fairy lights perhaps?

WWW (Winter Wonderland Walk)

January 1st, Wörther See, Klagenfurt:

Comfort Drinking

This morning, my remaining great aunt died in her nursing home and I will be on my way shortly to comfort her probably quite hysterical husband. In sad times like this, hot (sweet) drinks hit the spot, such as dense hot chocolate as the one served at Haas&Haas tea house in Vienna.

...or beautiful coffee with delicate froth art (Prince Coffee Club, Vienna):
Or a good chai latte or matcha latte.

Card of the Year

I've told you before that I am one of those old-fashioned people who like getting and sending Christmas cards of the snail-mail hard copy variety. Thankfully, I have many friends who think so, too, in particulary those of the Anglo-Saxon persuasion (well, most of those anyway, *hint, hint*, BoB). These are all the cards I got this year:

Much as I love cards with photos of grinning kids (I really do!) my favourite is a card that only arrived this week, New Year's greetings from a Japanese ex-boss. I love the ukiyo-e type image of a geisha on skis (a similar image is on the reverse side):

Eclipse

On Tuesday, there was a partial eclipse of the sun of which we had a good view from the office. For lack of special goggles, the Gazelle told us that x-ray photographs served the purpose as well. I remembered that I had some in my bottom drawer next to my desk from a visit to an orthopaedic specialist last year. Cue funny "scientific" looking pictures :-)

The Gazelle trying to adjust the foot...

The sun looking like a Vanillekipferl.

Hot Dog

Now that the "sales hunting season" is at its peak, I like to browse the usual suspects for bag bargains. Recently, I stumbled over this little gem. Dachshund bag, anyone?

click to enlarge

Decadence

Yesterday, my second UVEX ski helmet arrived. Why would she need two of them, you might wonder. Well, this helmet completes the second set of ski gear that I have - one in VIE, one in KLU. I own everything twice now: skis, ski poles, ski outfit down to gloves and warm underwear, and now also helmets. It might sound extravagant and I realise it is quite decadent to own two sets, but was sick of plans of office ski trips and Sunday excursions to Semmering with friends not being put into action, which meant I had transported everything to Vienna in vain and would have to take everything back to KLU where I could rely on my Mum to go skiing with me. When one of my former bosses returned to Japan and gave me her set of skis for free this sort of started the idea. Several winter sales bargains later (I got the helmet for EUR 39 instead of the original 119) I now am the proud owner of two ski "collections" and the days of  trans-Austria tours with my ski stuff are a thing of the past.

By the way - I lovelovelove my ski helmet and think this is one of the greatest inventions of recent years. I was really anti-helmet and almost annoyed when my Mum insisted on getting me one for my birthday 2 years ago because she was so enthusiastic about hers, but I am a complete convert. They are absolutely NO impediment to hearing and much warmer than a woolly hat could possibly be because they shield your head from the wind so perfectly. Plus it's really convenient to be able to fix your goggles on the handy little contraption at the rear.

Car Painting

Photo taken of Lake Ossiach from the (dirty) window of my parents' car on the way home from lunch at friends' who own a house by the lake.

Project Cherry Blossom

I have been practising my Hiragana during the Christmas holiday with all the more ambition as I have something to look forward to: a two-weeks-trip to Japan with MM in the second half of April. I really hope we'll be able to see some cherry blossoms even though it is hard to predict when that will happen where. MM said that AFOS told her we'd be much too late as "in Tokyo, cherries are in bloom on (!) March 25." She didn't know the exact time, mind you. We haven't planned our route yet an so far have only booked the flights, but I am very excited indeed!