{Joyeux Noël // Merry Christmas!}

Wishing you the merriest of Christmases! And as they say in Switzerland (where we are anyways...) Joyeux Noël!

{Love for Sandy Hook}

While I normally don’t post on this blog because I’m just too busy with day-to-day life, this week I’ve been intentionally silent. Mostly because I just don’t have the right words to speak about the tragic events that happened in Newton last week. But also because I am just so incredibly sad, I was taking time to be quiet and mourn and think. Blogging about anything else just felt wrong…

I’m not sure how something so terrible could happen and I have spent so many hours thinking about how the United States can change things so this never, ever happens again. I certainly don’t have the answers, but I hope that this tragedy, yet another senseless mass shooting, is the final straw that wakes everyone up and makes us take action. I am praying that by the time I have children and send them off to school, I won’t have to be scared, but instead can think back to the horrific events at Sandy Hook Elementary as the catalyst to radical change that helped keep my babies safe. Maybe that is the only glimmer of hope in this unfathomable situation. We can’t let the deaths of these innocent children and heroic adults be in vain.

I’m praying for everyone affected by this tragedy. If you want to help Sandy Hook, here are a few ways you can do so:

Send your condolences. Sandy Hook has set up a P.O. Box  for such mail: 

P.O. Box 3700

Newtown, Connecticut 06470

Make a friendship bracelet for the students of Sandy Hook

Donate to the United Way fund set up to to provide support services to the families and community members.

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{Munich Day Trip: Neuschwanstein Castle}

 We really used Munich as our hub for a couple great day trips -- first, Salzburg, and then Neuschwanstein Castle.

We used Lauren's awesome instructions on how to get there and they didn't fail us!

We found ourselves in a bit of a time crunch upon arriving so we actually skipped the tour of the inside and went straight to the viewpoint, which we heard was the main reason to go anyway. While I don't know what we missed inside, I can say that we left feeling like we saw what we had gone to see, so I guess that's good!

Neuschwanstein Castle is one of those places you go that really makes you feel like you're in Europe. It was the inspiration for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle and really does look like it's straight out of a fairy tale!

 {Photos ©  Liz Denfeld}

{The Vlog}

Six months later.. I finally post my vlog!

I literally filmed this back in June. 

So a couple of my answers had changed/become irrelevant. 

I tried to edit out all my "ums" and such, but I still look pretty silly on camera..

Please don't make fun of me... Vlogging clearly isn't a natural talent over here. 

And I think this video begins and ends my vlogging career.. So enjoy it while it lasts! ;)

P.S. The beginning is supposed to be funny.. Kinda like vlogging outtakes. The way it turned out though I just kind of look like a weirdo. Sorry 'bout that.
P.P.S. I didn't even come close to answering all the questions in the comments.. I just talked way too much, and I figured nobody wanted to watch a 20 minute vlog. I'd say maybe there will be a part two, but I think I've embarrassed myself enough at least for the foreseeable future!

VLOG from Liz Denfeld on Vimeo.

{Barcelona: Parc de la Ciutadella}

Back in April when my Mom was visiting us in Europe we spent a four-day weekend in Barcelona. Nicole was living there at the time and let us in on the secret that Parc de la Ciutadella is one of the most beautiful city parks in the world. We spent an hour or so wandering around, hardly scratching the surface of it's 70 acres. There were tons of locals lounging around reading, listening to music, dancing and just enjoying a leisurely afternoon. It was truly beautiful and absolutely worth a visit if you find yourself in Barcelona.

{Photos ©  Liz Denfeld}

{TGIF!}

TGIF! Phew – another week has come and gone! I can’t lie, I am sooooo happy it’s the weekend. And with snow in the forecast here in Amsterdam, I am planning on spending much of it inside our warm apartment finishing my book (SO.GOOD.) and hopefully doing a few things to prep for the fast-approaching holidays!

If you’re spending the weekend cozying up and catching up on blogs, I have one you must add to your blog reader! Tammy has been one of my most loyal and long-standing blog supporters and it’s been so fun watching her blog grow so much over the past year or so. She blogs over at Lemons, Avocados & The Bay about life in sunny San Diego with her boyfriend and she’s so sweet and cheerful. Her outlook on life is admirable and absolutely contagious. Hop on over and check her out – I promise you’ll love her! Here are a few words from Tammy – enjoy!

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Helllllllo. I'm Tammy and my blog Lemons, Avocados & the Bay is all about living the beachy kinda life in San Diego. I spent lots of time exploring my city, riding my bike along the boardwalk, and trying out new recipes and restaurants. My boyfriend and I just renovated our littlebeach bungalow. It's been a crazy experience, but I love that we can make our little house our own. I would love if you stopped by Lemons, Avocados & the Bay to say hello. If you'd like you can also find me on twitter, facebook, and instagram.

{Cozy Up in Fair Isle}

Working in the e-commerce industry means the holiday season is our busiest! Lately the long workdays and nights have got me counting down to our Swiss Christmas! I can’t wait to cozy up by the fire with my honey, a good book and a cup of {spiked} hot chocolate. And if I had it my way, I’d live in nothing but fair isle (so chalet chic!) for a week straight. A few of my favorite fair-isle picks below! What do you think? Do you love or hate this trend?

1. Gap Hat
2. Madewell Socks
3. Mittens
4. Striped Slippers
5. Leggings
6. Scarf
7. Hat
8. Sweater 

{Salzburg: Downtown + Hohensalzburg Castle}

After strolling through the Mirabell Gardens, we continued on walking through downtown Salzburg and up to Hohensalzburg Castle. On the way we stopped by an adorable litte cafe for radlers and ice cream. It was a perfect break in the day, and the place couldn't have been cuter!

 And I just couldn't leave this one out.... ;)

{Photos ©  Liz Denfeld}