NYC: the Hill-Side

Do you sometimes wonder, 

what you could give somebody as a present?

These items of 

'the Hill-Side', 

made in Brooklyn - NYC,

are really a great idea as a gift...

Germany: Usedom

Last weekend we stayed on the German Island 

'Usedom'

 which is such a wonderful place to be!

All these beautiful Art Nouveau villas, the great beach and 

the wonderful seabridge from Ahlbeck.

We stayed in the old-established hotel 'Esplanade' and had a very nice time...

And the menu of cook Tom Wickboldt was fabulous!

NYC: Dean & Deluca

Dean & Deluca:

What a store!

I could spend hours there, just looking and 

getting inspired by all those great things and packagings.

Also: awesome service... staff will help you 

find exactly what you are looking for.

Roald Dahl: Küsschen Küsschen

These short stories are really not for meek characters:

you really do need to have a strong sense 

for macabre and strange.

But then, these are great books for you!

Bread & Butter

Bread & Butter:

For me it is something so wonderful!

So I bought myself this tasteful butter, made out of

raw milk in France - not that I want to reduce the quality of 

the good old German butter, but this, at the moment, is my

favorite. And additional a great double-baked rye bread from the 

'Dresdner Feinbäckerei' in Berlin-Friedrichshagen:

What a delightful dish..!!

Germany: Heritage Post

'Heritage Post - Magazin für Herrenkultur'

Why another new magazine?

Aren't there already enough on the market?

Not one like the Heritage Post...that's for sure!

This magazine is especially created for people, who are 

seeking the unique, the authentic.

 And for those, who want to understand

the heritage, the manufacturing and as a result a 

price of a product...

For all those out there:

 this is the perfect journal!

Bretagne: Caramel

Salted Butter Caramels:

what a tasteful experience!

Honestly, I'm not so into sweets, but when I stayed in Brittany,

I lost my heart to these specialties.

The main aspect about this candy is the great taste of the 

Breton butter. But the best is the subtle combination of sweet with

the origin sea salt.

In 1949, Raymond and Yvonne Audebart opened 

'La Maison D'Armorine'.

And both always realized the importance of tradition.

So today still the same copper pots are used to create these

luscious confection...

CA: Nepenthe Big Sur

Nepenthe:

A fabulous example of mid-century modern architecture 

in 1949, perched on the cliffs of California's coast.

Rita Hayworth and Orson Wells spent their time there as well as 

Henry Miller, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

No wonder: with that great view...

And what I can really recommand: 

the good burger ... very delicious!

Cologne: 4711

When I was a child, I loved this scent: 

my grandmother always used to use it...wow!

For now almost 220 years 

'4711 Original Eau de Cologne'

 exists. Still today it is made in the same way like at that time

and still the recipe is kept a secret.

Only best ingredients and real pure essential oils are yet used.

So why not find the way back

to this traditional perfume and maybe back to 

your childhood?

Germany: St. Leonhard

Have you ever tasted 

'pure and clear'?

If not, then maybe you might want to try this

wonderful water. 

Located in the mountains in Bavaria, the region around

this natural fount is known as place with special natural force.

This water is only available in real glass bottles, 

so the taste won't get harmed by plastic.

You can really savor the clarity and softness of the water:

I do really love this water...

LA: vintage

seen in Los Angeles...

Argentina: Dieter Meier wine

Yello: who doesn't remember that great electro-duo with 

frontman Dieter Meier?

Dieter Meier, an artist all in all began making wine 10 years ago in Argentinia.

Why especially Argentina?

His passion is organic-grown wine and to make this, 

Argentina offers very good conditions: 

grapes can grow perfectly without the use of toxins and chemicals.

Meiers output: a very great, tastefull and harmonic wine...

My recommandation: 

PURO Malbec 2010...

Germany: Cast-iron pans

Have you ever thought about the pan you're cooking with?

Since I know these handcrafted cast-iron pans,

I definitely know, what it means to be able to make 

perfect fried potatoes or a real good fried steak...

Since 1857 these handcrafted pans are made in in 

this company in Germany. 

So if you like cooking, this pan shouldn't miss in your kitchen...

Stockholm: Hotel J

If you might travel to Stockholm and want some silence afterall, this is really

a very nice place to stay at:

Hotel J.

A little off at Nacka Strand, you can relax and 

enjoy the calmness and ease:

We definitely enjoyed our stay there...

Schwarzwald: Monkey 47 Gin

Gin: my passion!

What shall I say? A nice party, interesting guests and a good glass of gin...great!

So if you also like drinking gin, don't miss this absolute unique one made in the 

German Schwarzwald, which was voted 

'GOLD Best in Class - Gin worlwide'.

Regional ingredients mixed with some Indian spices and blended together in an artisan way

make this gin to a very special taste adventure.

Have a look at the website and read the history...it's really worth it.

NYC: Capsule

If this isn't an honour...

Merz b. Schwanen was voted to one of the two elected 

'The Best New Brands at Capsule NYC'.

Congratulations!!

Berlin: Eismanufaktur

Finally: the sun even made it to Berlin!

So what else does everybody want to do than hang out in the sun 

and have a good ice-cream?

If you're in the city, go and have a super-licious 

homemade ice-cream from the 

'Eismanunfaktur': only fresh ingredients, blended together in an 

artfully artisan way.

Don't miss the caramel with fleur de sel, dark chocolate 

or the juicy mango sorbet:

hmm...my favorites...!