Living abroad has been one the most incredible decisions my husband and I made and definitely the most life changing.  There are hurdles that come with this new life.  But overall, with an encouraging family, a few good friends, preparation, and the right mindset making the transition of living abroad is totally doable!

When we moved to Germany this was one of the first questions we asked ourselves: "Should we travel by train or by car during our time in Germany and Europe?"

After a lot of research, asking a few European friends, and weighing out the pros and cons, we came up with what works best for us when it comes to traveling through Germany.  Sharing with you the pros and cons of each and how we made our decision!

owever, I thought this weekend was perfect weather to wear my heeled sandals one last time and throw on a dress without tights. And that I did! Granted, I likely stood out like a sore thumb amongst the sea of coat and boot wearing Germans, but I didn't mind.

When we drove into this magical, winter wonderland of the Harz Mountains we had the biggest heart eyes.  The evergreen trees looked like majestic creatures; covered in fluffy, white snow and standing so tall.  Honestly, I could have simply stared at them all day and been content.  They were absolutely beautiful to see in person.

It's easy to fall in love with a city like Utrecht.  Beautiful canals, busy streets with cyclist in every direction, and color buildings that make a rainy day look cheery.  Living so close to the Dutch border has been such a treat.  We have loved learning about this tiny country that has made such an impact on the world with it's culture, art, and history. 

Coming from the States, I am constantly impressed by the unique style and design in Dutch Hotels. Especially one like Star Lodge Hotel, who boast on their economic price point and cozy atmosphere.  As a young, twenty something finding a space that is both budget friendly and trendy is always at the top of my list, but not so easy to find.  Star Lodge Hotel in Utrecht had just that. 

Southern Italy is absolutely breathtaking in the winter.  I must admit, I was a bit hesitate about going during this time of year, but I cannot recommend it enough.  Plus, oranges hanging from the trees in every direction is always a plus of the cooler months!

Berlin, the capital of Germany and one of the cheapest cities in Europe, is full of culture, fashion, beautiful museums, trendy bars and clubs, shopping, and above all so much history.  It's a place where you can be whoever you want to be without feeling judged.  

I love a good steal, especially when it comes to make-up. Make-up has always allowed me to be more confident in my own skin. However, finding the right products that suit my skin and don't break the bank at the same time can be a challenge.  That's why I wanted to share with you guys my absolute favorite drugstore make-up products.  

When you walk into Scandic Hotel at Kurfüstendamm, you'll immediately notice the bold personality and vibrant art surrounding you in every direction.  Since we immediately checked into our hotel upon arrival, it was such a good first impression of Berlin -- creative & free.

Burg Eltz is magic. Seriously.  I had seen so many pictures of this dreamy, Germanic castle, but they still didn't do it justice. It's like walking through a magical Disney story tale.

With the rainy, grey German weather, it's nice to have a little sparkle in my day-to-day.  How are you styling your midi skirts? 

Whether you have the opportunity for a weekend layover in Amsterdam in between travels (I highly recommend flying into Schiphol from the USA -- super cheap flights via WowAir) or are there for just a few hours, there is so much to see and do.  

I have made this soup three times in a matter of two weeks.  It makes my house smell cozy and inviting and it somehow makes my bones warm.  Which is a necessity lately, because no matter how many layers I put on or how high I put our heater up, I just can't seem to get warm.  

I can honestly say this is the best Apple Chutney I have ever had (granted, this is the only Apple Chutney I have ever had) and I will happily live my life only eating this one. Okay, okay, that's a bit dramatic. I am all about trying new things, but this recipe is just so good that I cannot imagine anything better.

This was super easy to put together and the supplies are easy enough to find at your local Home Depot/Lowe's or in our case Hagebaumarkt. 

The perfect topping for french toast, cake, meat, and really just about anything. I was so impressed by how this Blackberry Lemon Basil sauce came out! This was not a planned creation, but sometimes those are the best creations. Am I right? It was Saturday morning and we had no agenda for the day. Perfect opportunity to spend the whole morning in the kitchen cooking up a storm.

Germany is filled with delicious breads, cakes, pastries, and fattening foods that I need to stop eating. But they do not have flourless chocolate cake.  Okay, I haven't searched the whole country for it, so I am sure there is some cute, little bakery that sells it.  Until I find that cute, little bakery, this recipe does the trick.