Tacheles inspired Makeup Box by Upcycle KraftWorks

Since my arrival in Bonn i've been an addict of DM stores, the makeup and skin care products are amazing, huge variety and cheap prices compared to Portugal.
But after a few visits i realised i didn't have any space to keep all those products and the little boxes were starting to confuse me, never knowing where things were...

After my visit to Tacheles at Berlin i was very impressed and inspired by Tim Roeloffs's work, therefore i decided to do a makeup box with collages inspired by his work. And it was really fun!

With just a few Lidl card boxes, some magazines and enough creativity here is the final work:

 

 

Berlin - part I

I had the plan of going to Portugal for my birthday, unfortunately, bad things happen to good people...

(you know why it would be very hard for me to go back for this occasion...)

But "when life gives you lemons..."

We go to Berlin!

And to stay coherent and stick to another proverb: "A picture is worth a thousand words" 

I'll leave you some pictures i brought back as a gift from this amazing and vibrant Mad Max Freaky city!!

Berlin Part I has some pics around Kreuzberg but it's mostly from Teufelsberg

Click on one of the pics and enjoy the slideshow =)

 

3 Days - 4 Countries

Departure: Bonn, Germany

Destination: Luxembourg 

Stops: Maastricht, The Netherlands and Liège, Belgium

@ Liège, Belgium

 Impressive how in only 3 days we can easily reach 4 countries and explore border cities.

Doing this you soon understand why some countries are safe away from the European crisis.

Portugal is kind of stuck between Spain and the Atlantic Ocean.

Besides having huge potential with beautiful locations, food and people full of talent, it's clear that being at the far west side of Europe has it's problems.

Exportation of goods, exchange with other countries and cultures and good land transportation for all this to be more efficient has made Portuguese and it's culture pay the price.

Of course you are able to fly from the Portuguese capital to some places at cheap rates... but the ease of being in the centre of Europe and taking the van to just wonder between countries is not a reality for people in Lisbon.

I remember my road trips to anywhere else but Spain or France... you have always to cross this 2 giant countries!

Being in Bonn has this huge advantage, just take the van and change countries!

Germany has borders with 9 countries.

Starting in the north and moving clockwise we have: Denmark; Poland; Czech Republic; Austria; Switzerland; France; Luxembourg; Belgium; The Netherlands.

Bonn is part of the North Rhine-Westphalia, therefore very close to the last 4 countries. 

@ Liège, Belgium

In about 1 hour you are in Maastricht in The Netherlands, from there only 30 minutes more and you are in Liège, Belgium and continuing to Luxembourg city is less than 2 hours.

 @ Maastricht, The Netherlands

@ Liège, Belgium

@ Liège, Belgium

Rheinauen Afternoon

While some work, others relax at the park...

Sun is not something frequent here in Bonn, at least not as much as back in Lisbon. So we must take the opportunity to stroll along the Rhine River banks and sunbathe on Rheinauen beautiful park.

I glance at the sky and can almost see my love at the UN window... At least one of us is working hard!

Surreal afternoon for this Portuguese girl, on a German park... studying french!

Koblenz Medieval Dream Town

As i say.. i have the knees of a 80 year old lady.. but my love for slackline is big!
After some crazy trickline, i somehow managed to turn one of the knees into a huge ball... So this weekend the sightseeing was more inside the van then out...

But as soon as we passed by Koblenz, even with me limping we had to take a stroll to see more of the old part of town. It's a mixture between vibrant alternative culture and medieval surroundings, simply amazing!

On my last visit to Lisbon i met two sweet German girls on the plane.

I slept all the way, but as soon as we landed i saw them with a travel guide and had to give advices where to go in Lisbon. Of course i said: You must go to Alfama!!

Kirsten and Nadine were so kind to invite me to Tasca do Chico in Alfama and we were listening to Fado, talking about Germany and Portugal and eating some bacalhau. Both are from Koblenz, so i was easily curious to meet their town! And what a charming place it is!

Not only beautiful but with the best Gelato Italiano i ever tasted! eGeloSia
I definitely have to return with both knees recovered! :)

 

Lisbon Street Art

Everytime I return to Lisbon I see something new... 

The only thing that remains the same is the love I get from all my friends!

Thank you for making Lisbon even more beautiful! My heart is with you all!

 

Luxemburg, Sardines on Carvon and Minis!

It's good to drive only 2 hours and already be changing countries. 

With the main goal of rock climbing in Nature Reserve area of Berdorf, we made a small roadtrip from Germany to Luxembourg... and we could almost believe thet we were back in Portugal!
 

As a great coincidence, the day we went there it was the commemorative day of the cooperation between Portugal and Luxembourg.

Besides hearing portuguese all over the streets and local bussiness (like any other day in Luxembourg), we had the pleasure of finding a wonderfull portuguese get together with Sagres minis, sardines on carvon and pregos!

We could smell the St. António Fest in Lisbon!! =)

Luxembourg is a very small and lovely country, measuring around 82 km long and 57 km wide!

After driving through the countryside and walking in the city of Luxembourg we can understand why a lot of portuguese emmigrants stayed.

Even though it's a city with some hills we could see that a lot of people go around by bike, and we found this awesome custom made bike! They even have veló city bikes like in Paris but maybe due to geography, they were not being put to use remaining in almost brand new conditions...

Last but not least, the Berdorf Nature Reserve and the top of climbing routes showed us this beautifull landscape! 

Almost like a magical country (due to being so small and of course, a tax haven!) all surroundings are treated like our very special backyards... seems no area is forgotten or neglected... simply amazing!

Handmade Crochet Bolero - 100% recycled yarn

Handmade Crochet Bolero By Upcycle

Yarn: "Organic Cotton" Linea Pura by Lana Grossa
85% Recycled cotton
15% Recycled cashmere

Another crochet project made with organic german yarn  :) 

This item is made by request with any kind of yarn/colour

Made from 100% organic & recycled yarn - 60€

Other blended yarns - 40€

Crochet Star

Made in Lisbon, on may subway rides to work

I though it was a strange color mix, due to some leftover yarns but if suits really well with this carpet from the new house!

 I had to leave the sewing machine and all the Atelier boxes behind since they did not fit inside the Van!

Now I'm on the look out for a new sewing machine, all I have left to craft is crochet yarns and a sketchbook I bought.

Not doing multiple crafts at once is good, I'm really improving my technics on what i have to use =)

Köln by Bike

We took our bikes to Köln and cycled our way into the city. 

The most impressive view is definitely the Kölner Dom - Hohe Domkirche St. Peter und Maria