M's Art Impressions

Cupcakes, hears & flowers ...

2012-02-03T04:10:00.000-08:00

... are a splemdid combination, don't you think?

This is a littel sneek preview from a fotoshoot we did last wednesday for our magazine KidsLife. It involved lots of pretty paper flowers, candy-colored cupcakes and lovely girls, just the right mix to get you all in the mood for a sweet and fun-filled weekend, as we slowly approach valentines day! Spreading the love feels so good in cold times - soon more about this!

Photo: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Monday Love: Colors & Tea

2012-01-30T04:29:00.000-08:00

Genius is the ability to renew one's emotions in daily experience.
Paul Cezanne

Have a colorful day lovelies and don't forget - some dark hues are needed to let the bright ones shine! Some happy colors and warm tea (maybe a croissant too ...) is all i need to brighten my spirit and get my energy going on a cold January morning, even if i don't have time to paint right now. What is your secret to keep warm and joyful in winter?

Painting & photo: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Chocolate for breakfast

2012-01-28T10:33:00.000-08:00

Sunday mornings are my fave ...

... and how about chocolate hazelnut morning smoothie for a late breakfast? If you want to know how it's made, have a look here. It looks like an ideal weekend indulgence to me - a little sweetness can make your day sometimes! I do look forward to a nice and lazy day - what are your plans lovelies?

Excuse my being slow at commenting at the moment - somehow i had problems with blogger or my computer - hope this will be fixed soon!

Photo: The healthy foodie

Happy Chinese New Year!

2012-01-23T07:17:00.000-08:00

Are you ready to ride the Dragon?

I just read that in China, today is celebrated as the new years day. As it falls together with a new moon, it's the ideal time to make a fresh start and let our dreams and plans grow. It's the year of the water-dragon. The Dragon is in fact the major symbol of good fortune in Chinese Astrology. According to tradition, the Dragon brings in the Four Blessings of the East: wealth, virtue, harmony and longevity. I hope we can expect grand things this year - and that good luck will be coming our way! And here's the lucky cat to wave you all into a fabulous new week!

Photos: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Chin chin weekend!

2012-01-20T08:20:00.000-08:00

And a toast to YOU, my fabulous blogfriends!

Who make January look so much brighter! The drink above is called "Aperol Spritz", and it's my fave at the moment - you must give it a try: 1 part aperol, two parts secco or champagne and one part bubbly water. It's the perfect sundowner, even if the sun didn't show up ;)

These pictures are from a stroll through town with gorgeous Barbara, from fashion art and other fancies. Do you have anything planned for the weekend yet?

Photos: Martina Voigt-Schmid

It's a day for a crumble!

2012-01-16T09:38:00.000-08:00

Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first.

Ernestine Ulmer

Or eat it as the meal itself! Who needs steak when there is crumble? A crumble is such an easy and delicious way to prepare sweet comfort food - so much needed to keep our spirits up in January. This one is made with strwberries and raspberries - equally good with apples and raspberried, hidden under an oatmeal crust spiced with Cardamom. Try it on a drab winter afternoon and feel your juices flow again! Find the original recipe here. I just added oatmeal to the mix and reduced sugar

Photo: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Pastel Pretty

2012-01-12T06:49:00.000-08:00

Let’s get rid of the old and moldy -
New fresh air wants to come into our lives!

I'm on a mission to declutter our house - and with it comes the urge, to do some redecorating as well. This Paris apartment by fashion designer Vanessa Bruno looks so delicate and soft with its sorbet shades, yet some daring contrasts save it from being all too girlie. Also, i love the springlike atmosphere it creates, although it is winter light, that shines through these windows ...

Fotos via dustjackett attic

Monday Love: Paper-flower

2012-01-09T04:43:00.000-08:00

The power of a paper flower ...

As Christmas is over and spring is not in sight yet, why not cheer the house up with some self-made paper flowers? They are easy to make - have a look here. And look how pretty the color of the paper shines when the light comes through! Monday hugs dear friends! Keep warm and cheerful - inner sunshine is so much needed this time of year!

Photo: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Friday art: Sunshine and snow

2012-01-06T08:32:00.000-08:00

Sunshine and snow,

spring dancing with winter, waltzing over the fields and having some fun together, icy but lovely. Beautiful light in the room is so good for painting - and for anything else. Isn't it stunning, how our mood changes with the light? At least mine does ;)

We don't have snow here today, but lovely, almost springlike sunshine. I've put the christmas-deco away, exept fo some fairy lights, and will buy some fresh flowers tomorrow. How did your new year start so far? For me, it was a mix of being quite busy and feeling quite tired - i look forward to a relaxed weekend and wish you a bright and cheerful time ahead!

Flowers in snow photos: Fotolia.com, Painting photo: MVS

Jewelled hearts

2012-01-02T02:31:00.000-08:00

Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will.
George Bernard Shaw

Happy 2012 lovelies!

Hope you've all had a great time celebrating and relaxing. I spent a rather quiet but cozy time with my family, and it was just the right thing to do. It rains buckets here and i still feel like staying in bed, but i played a bit with jewellery and my camera, to add some brightness and cheerfullness to the start of a new week and a new year. This week is dedicated to imagination, visualizing, planning and setting things in motion - have you made any plans yet, for the new year ahead?

Photos: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Between the years ...

2011-12-28T11:15:00.000-08:00

Between the years

is a kind of nowhere land, a time that belongs to dreaming, thinking, sleeping, decluttering, planning - at least this is how a feel about these days after christmas. A break from "it all" to prepare for a whole new year of new beginnings and new adventures. I'll sign off until the beginning of January - with lots of new things to share with you. Enjoy this special time the way you like best - and have a wonderful start into 2012 - see you soon!

Photos via

Merry Christmas, one more DIY - and a BIG Thank You!

2011-12-23T05:40:00.000-08:00

Remember

This December,

That love weighs more than gold!

Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon

How are you lovelies? Have you decked the halls and wrapped all the presents? I've still got a little bit of work to do, but not very much - and look forward to a peaceful and relaxed christmas time and after with my 3 boys (4, if the tomcat counts!). Am curious already, if the christmas fairy will give me the magic wand i secretly asked for - the one that gets everything clean and tidy in the wink of an eye, accompanied by a sweet birdsong!

Thank you so much for another year of bloggy friendship and fun! Your sweet comments mean so much to me - and your blogs do! I just love how the blogworld is an antidote to the bad "news" we get everyday and shows, how many people are out there, celebrating life and adding to it's sweetness and beauty.

Because i want to do a bit of planning for next years blogging, i would like to hear, what you would like to have more of here:

original art

interior decorating

design and lovely things

fashion and styling

easy DIY's

photography

lovely food

... i'd so appreciate, if you took a moment to tell me!

In case you're in the mood to make one or two more things - this is how we created the things in the photos above. The big X: tale a cardbord letter from a shop, and cover it in simple cotton wool - from pads you use, to take of your make-up, by gluing it on to the surface in a "snowy" manner. The ornament: Use several layers of tissue papers, cut them in a round shape and sew them together in the middle with a sewing machine. Then fold the layers to ball shape, and add a string and a crystal - ready!

Have a lovely and loving celebration and a wonderful start into the new year!

Photos: Martina Voigt-Schmid, Robin Benito

Monday Love: DIY-shopping bag

2011-12-19T03:26:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for a cute last minute present idea? This bag can be ready in an afternoon of crafty fun. We took a vintage photo of my friends mum, printed it on a sheet lazertran and ironed it onto a plain white linen bag. The photo was then embellished by hand with buttons and ribbon, to match the pictures nostalgic appeal. This bag is a handy companion, because it can be kept folded in your handbag and taken out for that extra bit of shopping you have to do sometimes. Breadrolls for sunday breakfast look very good in it as well as fresh veggies and flowers from the farmers market!

Have a spelndid start to your week!

Bag design: Monika Dziondziak, photo: Robin Benito

Friday Art: New collage paintings

2011-12-16T02:49:00.000-08:00

Fresh from the studio: some new little canvases in a mix of acryllics and collaged parts of vintage books and papers - the first one got sold already! I hope to present some of my smaller works and prints in a little online art-shop soon and hope to find time to work on that "between the years".

How's your christmas preparations going so far? I hope to accomplish most things over the weekend and just take it easy. After a very busy year, i feel a great need to slow down and let go and allow for some me-time. Happy 4th of advent dolls - will come round for tea and coockies and see what you've been up to!

Photos and artwork: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Monday Love: Fluffy Angel

2011-12-13T03:42:00.000-08:00

The reason angels can fly is because they take themselves lightly.

G.K. Chesterton, "Orthodoxy"

This cute little angel came down to me from the heavens of blogland, to be exact from the Netherlands part of blogland, in a packet from my sweet friend Saskia from "Join my Joy". Saskia sure knows how to bring joy to others - she's a constant inspiration to look at the bright side and make the most of every moment!

Have a lovely flight through the week and don't forget what i have heard: We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another!

Photo: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Friday art: Shoes for you!

2011-12-09T03:59:00.000-08:00

Put on your red shoes ...

... and dance the blues! Shoes are such nice little objects of desire - they express personality and style. The shape of beautiful shoes always inspires me, and time after time i get back to painting some of them. Especially those i can't wear. High-heeled Stilettos are so chic - but mostly to painful to dance in - what a pity!

I have 3 more shoe paintings at work now and hope to get on with them over the weekend. Keep warm and cozy lovelies (for those who reside in winterland, like me!) A beautiful shade of red always helps me to feel warmer imediately - on canvas, on bedsheets, on something to wear - give it a try!

Painting: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Monday Love: Shirt into skirt DIY

2011-12-05T01:30:00.000-08:00

I love this easy project, for it shows how to make a skirt in 8 seconds - without having to use needle and threat or a sewing machine. Just ideal for people like me - who love to make things, but are not, hmmm, exactly talented when it comes to needlework. You take a T-shirt with a wide enough neckline, that you can step into - so that the shirt sits around your waist. You then take the empty arms and tie them into a pretty bow - ta daaaaa, finish! To see a more detailed instruction, have a look at this amazing blog here

Hope your week is of to a fab start lovelies! I'm at home today with a bad cold, but actually enjoy having some time to rest and catch up on myself and think about all kinds of things i have planned.

See you later!

Photos: Welcome to the gOOd life

X-mas shopping with some "Ooh la-la"

2011-12-01T11:03:00.000-08:00

Have you started shopping for presents yet? I usually start rather late - somehow i need the frisson of the little bells ringing to get going. Today, i'll hit the town and hope to add some sparkles to my secret "Treasure box" (that noone is supposed to see before christmas!). I have a big family, with lots of nieces and nephews, so, lots need to be done! To strengthen myself, i intend to have hot chocolate with a girlfriend in between.

Open publication - Free publishing

And of course there is Etsy and DaWanda, and tons of gorgeous shops online as well. Have a look at the IHOD gift guide, assembled and designed my lovely blogfriend Anna, who is one gifted girl indeed.

For additional inspiration, please also visit my dear friend Anita, she has a blogpost full of amazing shops for you, plus she does the sweetest cards and tags herself!

Photos 1-4 via Kate Spade

Monday Love: DIY booksign

2011-11-28T03:37:00.000-08:00

Nostaligc photos ...

i have a whole box of them, and sometimes i open it and revell in the spirit of times past by looking at portraits of my great-grandmother, countess Marie-Louise D'Harnoncourt and her brothers, sisiters and cousins. She was an adventurous spirit who once ran away from her home chateau with her house teacher and caused a big scandal. One day, i would like to write her story. This year however, i got the photos out to play and my good friend Monika designed sweet ideas for handmade presents for our magazine KidsLife, using these romantic pictures.

These booksigns are easy to make. She printed the photos in desired size on lazertran and ironed them on pretty, eggshell colored cardbord, cut it in shape and adorned it with simple, elegant ribbons. They adds such a lovely, personal note to your presents, if you intend to give away books.

Have a fabulous start to your week dear ones - and see you soon!

Photo: Robin Benito

Mini spa vacation

2011-11-25T03:33:00.000-08:00

Fire at the poolside ...

was maybe the best thing about the monastery "Marienhöh" we have visited for the past 3 days. The nuns have given up the place and now it is transformed into a lovely spa-hotel in the midst of quiet woods and meadows, far away from everything. It's a perfect hideway place, very friendly and beautifully done, and i so enjoyed taking some time with my hubby to just relax, swim - and eat lots of good food after a peroid of so much work! Will take the feeling into the weekend with me. Have you started decorating your house for christmas yet?

Photos via

Monday Love: DIY-candle holders

2011-11-21T02:25:00.000-08:00

Happy monday lovelies!

Since the evenings are getting longer and darker now, we need more light in the house - especially candle-light. Although the flames may be tiny, they really do warm us and lighten up feelings as well! These glas-holders are an idea from our latest issue of KidsLife, and they are so easy to make. You cut papaer doillies and fix them with a straw-ribbon on simple glasses. Put a tealight in and - voilá, it looks so pretty!

Photo: Robin Benito

DIY christmas ornaments

2011-11-17T07:17:00.000-08:00

Get ready to see things in a different light!

This is an idea from our recent KidsLife-issue: Sweet christmas ornaments made from house and baking supplies. These cupcake papercups make such a sweet hanger - all you need to add is thread and some beads. The weather here is grey and cold - just right for a crafting and tea-afternoon. Are you planning to create something this weekend?

Photo: Robin Benito

Street fashion: Camel coat

2011-11-14T08:46:00.000-08:00

“Grab your coat, and get your hat, Leave your worry on the doorstep Just direct your feet, To the sunny side of the street.”

Dorothy Fields

There's just something about camel-coats that makes you look so chic! Every girl should have one - you put it one, and you're dressed. Wether it's long and glamorous, like the one Barabara von Enger wears in the first picture, or short and sweet like the one shown by Taylor Swift below - somehow, it always adds elegance to your daily look! The first picture was taken during a fun bloggers meet-up and stroll through town last week with the fabulous Barbara - my first excursion into street fashion! Have a glam start to your week flowers, and don't let the cold bite your pretty petals!

Photos: 1: Martina Voigt-Schmid, 2: my daily, 3: Ravens Haven, 4: Star Style Inc.

Friday Art: Love the moment!

2011-11-11T08:18:00.000-08:00

Colored leaves come flying down

like rain - our garden is filled with a soft yellow carpet that hides the green. Meanwhile i play with my new camera and with my new wellies and with soft november clouds hanging low in the mornings - such fun to sit on them and fly of to work!

Today is 11-11-2011. I'm planning to meditate with friends at 11.11 pm CET to envision peace on earth. Thousands of people are meditating today, so, if you feel like joying in, be welcome! I think this time is very auspicious - much tension but also much hope. It's a full moon as well, and the witches say, full moons are the best times to make a wish come true ...

Photos: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Amazing Mlle Gaston!

2011-11-10T04:31:00.000-08:00

Being entirely honest with oneself is a good exercise.Sigmund Freud

Long november evenings are great sometimes, to go to the cinema. I can't wait to see "A Dangerous Method", the new film by David Cronenberg, starring Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightley, Vincent Cassel - and - my lovely friend Julie Gaston, in the role of Freuds oldest daughter.

Even if the role is only small, it is very exiting to see her in a great production like this one!

Set on the eve of the World War I, A Dangerous Method is based on the turbulent relationships between fledgling psychiatrist Carl Jung, his mentor Sigmund Freud, and Sabina Spielrein, the troubled but beautiful young woman who comes between them. If you get a chance - go and see it too, would love to hear what you think!

Photos: 1: Robin Benito, 2,3,4: MovieGod.de

Monday Love: Beautiful autumn

2011-11-07T02:22:00.000-08:00

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
Albert Camus

We had such a warm and sunny start into November! These pix are from a visit at my painter friends house and i love the mix of flowers, fruit and colored leaves, of fresh things and faded things, all beautifuly woven together by golden rays of november sun. Have a grape - and a sweet and lovely start to your week!

Friday art: Painted fashion

2011-11-03T05:45:00.000-07:00

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever; its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness"

John Keats

Some collaborative painted fashion pictures by me and my friend Andrea. They were not done in fall, but to me, they fit really well into this seasons color scheme, and the silver dots might as well be raindrops or autumn mist. Are you ready for the weekend like i am? I so look forward to painting, walking, reading and some "dolce far niente", all surrounded by golden leaves!

Monday Love: Let your lips speak!

2011-10-31T10:08:00.000-07:00

...even without saying a word!

Love these funky lipstyles and hope you all are having a fab old time for Halloween! Here in Germany, only the kids get dressed up and party, but i love the thought of this night being the night, where the spirit world is closest to our world. Will there be fairies out on the lawn tonight? Will my dearest grandmother look down on us from heaven? Cheers to mystery and imagination!

Photo: Leonore nevermore

Friday art: Nostalgia

2011-10-28T01:49:00.000-07:00

Hello, my lovelies, somehow, my mac is not working the way it should - everything is so slow and i don't get access to all of my files - so, i'm showing you some paintings from last winter.

I called this series "Nostalgia", for they are a reminiscense of times past, but also, of memories and of visiting places in the mind, a dreamlike state between things lost and things yet to be aquired ... These colors of golden yellow, smokey grey and purple so remind me of the ones i see outside now. What are you dreaming of these days?

Paintings: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Fall fashion

2011-10-25T02:36:00.000-07:00

An orange a day keeps the doctor away!

Isn't beige and orange such a lovely combination? I fell in love with these shoes and the little dress with orange leather bag. Wooly mini-dresses are a favorite of mine in the cold season. They look so good with boots, and while you feel warm and wrapped up, you don't look too bulky. Stress here slowly winds down, i'm listening to classical music and look at colored leaves in beteween E-Mails. Hot chocolate anyone?

Photos: Brown dress with white dots

Friday Art: Doggy painting

2011-10-21T04:12:00.000-07:00

I have no fear of making changes, destroying the image, etc., because the painting has a life of its own.
Jackson Pollock

This is a quote that shows much about the spirit of collaborative art. One has to trust the other, to do the right thing - not always easy, but full of discovereies and surprises. This weekend, i'll participate in open studio event at my friends house. That friend i do collaborative art with from time to time - Andrea. Among the things shown will be the dogy-painting you see above. It's foggy fall weather today and i feel like having a rest, cook soup, bake apple-pie ... but all this will have to wait until sunday. Hope you're all have a cozy time - will come round for tea!

Monday Love: Art meets fashion

2011-10-18T02:08:00.000-07:00

A new friend is like a new color in your world

A little while ago i had my first meeting with another blogger: radiant Barbara, from fashion, art and other fancies. As luck would have it, she sometimes comes for business to Mainz, a town near where i live. And so we spent some time together: vintage shopping, lunch and strolling through the old streets, discovering new shops. We had an instant connection and it felt like meeting an old friend! She's an art consultant, a fashion-lover, a gourmet and most of all, a fun and interesting person - we had so much to talk about. A prove to me, that the friends we make here in blogland, are more than "cyber" - somehow, we really do catch glimpses of each other and get to know each other in a certain way.

Cheers to blogfriends - and by that, i mean, all of you!

The bracelet in the second picture is something i bought for a friend as a cheer up present. It was made bei Marzipan, a company by South african women find out more about it here.

P.S.: I was delighted to see, that Barbara, who went to fashion week in Paris, was photographed by some great street-bloggers - see more of her here.

Photos: 1 Easy fashion, 2, 3, 4: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Friday Art: Little fall painting

2011-10-13T06:31:00.000-07:00

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.

George Eliot

Fall is pretty here this year - we still have sunshine and beautiful, crisp light. This week is a very busy one for me, so forgive me if i'm a little lazy blogging. Any plans yet for the weekend? I'll be mostly working, but hope to squeeze in a few fun things as well. And i'll sleeeeeeeep in and have late breakfasts, and - i'll visit all of you - promise!

Painting and photo: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Fun with paper and magazines

2011-10-07T02:21:00.000-07:00

Things are only impossible until they're not.
Jean-Luc Picard, Star Trek: The Next Generation

I love this quote today, because it helps me reach for the stars, even if, for now, they are made of paper. As golden leaves start to cover the pavements, paper leaves are covering my floor. Inspiring bits and pieces from magazines i like, and cut out paper-doillies for a little project for the Christmas-edition of KidsLife. It was such a joy this morning, to discover Hana Lynch, a photographer i worked with, has featured our magazine in her beautiful blog, the mom tog diaries.

We published some of her work about the makeover of her kids rooms recently, and i love how it turned out. Have a look at more of her amazing work!

The air was chilly this morning, and i actually liked it - so fresh! For a little extra fun this weekend, visit my friend Susan. She has a lovely giveaway over at Mary Janes Tearoom.

Love for a happy weekend!

Photos: 1t: Martina Voigt-Scmid, 2, 3 and 4: Hana Lynch

Monday Love: Painting adventures

2011-10-04T02:18:00.000-07:00

Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
Robert Fulghum

Am currently painting with my artist friend Andrea, preparing for some art shows in Oktober and November - whenever i have time! Working with colors is so invigorating, and the light outside is still beautiful. Don't you just love this time of year? We had a free monday here in germany, so it still feels like beginning of the week to me. Am sending you light and love from the studio!

Photos: Robin Benito & Julie Gaston

Friday art: Art journal pages

2011-09-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

Bloom!

Is my "theme" for 2011 and these 2 pictures from an older art journal seem to resonate with that. I'm currently working on a new set of canvases, currently covered in a golden yellow, and am so happy, that the sun is still warm and lovely around here. Light is so important for painting, and best of all, natural light. But light is vital for our emotional life as well. Did you notice, how many people are smiling, on a fine, sunny day? I hope the sun will be smiling on all of us this weekend!

Monday Love: DIY flower brooche

2011-09-26T06:28:00.000-07:00

A little project on how to make a cool flower brooche from the leftovers of a cut of jeans. I basically just cut a flower shape in 3 different sizes, sew them on to each other with a pretty couture-button as a center piece - and added a needle on the backside. Voila - this flower will bloom on your jacket or sweater all through the winter! Hope your week starts sunny and lovely and with enough space and time for some creative things!

Photos and idea: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Friday art: Take a break!

2011-09-23T02:25:00.000-07:00

Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.
Guillaume Apollinaire

Friday art this time means art of living. I just love this quote by apollinaire - it's so funny and at the same time - true! Happiness is there in the appreciation of the smallest things. In the creamy texture of colors on my plate, in the fresh smell of mint leaves in my drink of raspberry sirup and water. Even a gulp of air can make you happy, if you take time to perceive it and savour it.

Ah, it's friday my lovelies, and that alone is a reason to celebrate. I'm going through a time, were so many things call for attention every day and time itself seems to slip away like a slippery ocean creature. And i - want to do so many things but at the same time i feel lazy and dream of lying on a sandy beach... does that sound crazy?

Photo: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Monday Love: Mint-tea on the beach

2011-09-19T01:24:00.000-07:00

Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think.

Robert Henri

Some pictures from a recent trip to the Netherlands, visiting Scheveningen, with it's huge sandy beach and the beautiful city of Den Haag. The best part of these days was sitting outside in a beach cafè with a hot, fresh mint-tea, watching the sun go down and slowly melting into the ocean, sand on our feet and a scarf wrapped around the shoulders. I wish i could see the sea more often.For me, it has such a soothing, mind opening efect - the sounds, the smells, all connecting me to the rhythms of nature.

If you feel stressed this week ( i hope not!), think of the ocean and tune in, or, if you are lucky enough to live close to the beach, just go there and - let go!

Happy start to your week lovelies!

Photos: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Friday Art: Raspberry treat

2011-09-16T07:03:00.000-07:00

A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy?
Albert Einstein

Hmmmm - a bit of sunshine, lovely friends, a hug, flowers, chocolate? Whatever you need to be happy, i hope you'll get plenty of it over the weekend!

I have planned: A stroll over the fleamarket along the river, an art exibition, portuguese food hopefully enjoyed sitting outside, and sunday - just some time to catch up with myself!

Photo: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Monday Love: Blue Lagoon in Austria

2011-09-12T01:33:00.000-07:00

“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way.”
Dr. Seuss

Monday blues? Take a big gulp of fresh mountain air and have a swim in the cold blue waters - even imagining such things can make you feel fresh in a moment! Some pix from our recent trip to Austria, taken on the Traunsee, featuring Robin Benito and Julie Gaston.

Hope your week starts of happy ... and merry!

Photos: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Friday Art: Blueberries and more!

2011-09-08T10:07:00.000-07:00

Have a blueberry - and know that you are loved!

This week was crazy - it flew by, things kept me on my toes all the time and i felt a bit "out of it". I have the feeling, that for some of you, it was just the same, with holidays coming to an end, jobs starting, and a lot of hustle and bustle! This weekend, i've scheduled some much needed "Me-time" - which is also time to go visit you and see what you've been up to.

Have a happy, relaxed, gorgeous weekend, and see you soon!

Collage/Painting and photo: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Painting summer!

2011-09-04T07:23:00.000-07:00

Plates full of dried colors onmy floor. Hope i can still catch some of summer beauty soon, playing with aqua, blues and greens! Fresh flowers mix with faded flowers in my garden and in my rooms, and i collect walnuts in the warm sunshine just before lunch and put on warm socks just before dinner. We call this part of the year "Altweibersommer" - but you don't have to be old and grey to enjoy it!

Waterlillies in Munich

2011-09-02T07:41:00.000-07:00

"When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other."

Chinese Proverb

Impressions from a lovely afternoon in Munich, spent with my little niece Emma, who was wearing her pink tutu! We visited the botanical garden, which is so romantic and beautiful! We loved the waterlillies best and i thought of Claude Monet paintings, since the pond looked like a painting itself!

Have you got anything planned for the weekend yet?

Photos: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Monday Love: Late summer

2011-08-29T04:00:00.000-07:00

In winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer quite the other way
I have to go to bed by day.
Robert Louis Stevenson

Love that litrtle poem above, since i still feel a bit dreamy and lazy on my first day back to work. Our little trips to Austria and the Netherlands were both amazing - will post about it soon. Meanwhile, i'm celebrating the colors of late summer on my terrasse: with a sweet new Melanin plate with titmouse and flowers i got from an artist friend. Yellow green and pink is one of my favorite combinations! Hope your week starts of on a lovely note, can't wait to meet you for a lil' chat very soon!

Photo: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Monday Love: Art journal

2011-08-21T06:07:00.000-07:00

Smile for a while

While you do something you really love doing, even if that something is just "dolce far niente" sometimes. Some bits and pieces of an art-journal of mine. It is not as nicely done as others you can find in blogland, just a kind of work-book to keep track of my ideas and my progress. I have in mind to start a new one, while i still have time next week.

I'll be going on another little vacation, this time to Scheveningen, in the south of the Netherlands. just me and my old guy, to smell some ocean air and feel some sand beneath our feet, before a busy and hopefully colorful and autumn starts.

Have a great week sweet friends, i'll soon be back and catch up with you!

Friday art: Macaroon prints

2011-08-19T00:54:00.000-07:00

The pursuit of perfection, then, is the pursuit of sweetness and light.
Matthew Arnold

Weekend is almost here! I'm still half on vacation, sitting in the garden doing illustrations for a little carneval-book. These whimsical prints however, are by Lucilles kitchen - and can be bought on Etsy. I found them so sweet and inspiring with the handwriting on silver Ladurée print. Hope your August weekend is happy, golden and filled with summer fun!

Prints: Lucilles kitchen

Summer adventures

2011-08-16T01:34:00.000-07:00

"I believe cats to be spirits come to earth. A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through."

Jules Verne

Meet Mr. Itzig, our cat. He loves to play hide and seek and he loves tuna-fish and he loves to be cudlled - a lot! Sometimes, i wonder, what he's up to when we are gone. It's always hard leaving him behind, since he's such a social little fellow and so much part of the family. Am here for a day and will come visit you later!

Photo: Robin Benito

Monday Love: A little time out

2011-08-08T09:22:00.000-07:00

Some flower power to celebrate August

With this little elephant, i'm going on a little trip for some days, visiting my sisiter in Munich and then driving on to Austria for my dads 75th Birthday Party - with my whole family. I'm looking forward to seeing everybody, since we live quite far apart and not often have the chance to get together.

Have a fabulous week dear friends, and see you again soon!

Photo: tumblr
(so sorry, i always post name and link of photographers when i use their stuff, but in this case, can't find it anymore. If you made this lovely picture, please contact me and i'll put your name up!)

Friday Art: Meet Giselle

2011-08-05T02:09:00.000-07:00

"One must act in painting as in life, directly."
Pablo Picasso

This black and yellow lady named "Giselle", is another example of collaborative art between me and my friend Andrea König, me doing the painting part, and her overlaying the whole picture with a mysterious cobweb of tiny silver dots and typographie in crayon. We've done quite a lot of work together over the years, and i've set up a special blog to showcase it. If you want to see more, you can do that here.

Have a most gorgeous weekend, filled with treats, fun and love - and and let's make the best of summer!

Painting: Martina Voigt Schmid, Andrea König

3 easy ways to jazz up your rooms

2011-08-03T04:09:00.000-07:00

Some funky wallpaper solutions by Anthropologie, that may help to give your rooms individual style and artistic touches without too much effort. The first picture shows a whole mural, the second one a false bookcase and the third one a nostalgic clock - which one do you like best?

Photos Anthropologie

Monday Love: Be a VIP!

2011-07-31T11:32:00.000-07:00

"Treating myself like a precious object makes me strong!"

A page from an old diary of mine i found while cleaning up. The sentence above comes from the book "The artists way" by Julia Cameron. I once worked my way through the whole course and it was an interesting experience. Hope you're heading of into the week like the woman in this picture - happy adventures, here i come! Know that you are all precious objects to me!

Collage: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Pots and flowers

2011-07-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

"Painting is just another way of keeping a diary."

Pablo Picasso

Well, if one paints daily ... which is something i would like to do. I strive to get a rythm in my creative work and make a fixed date for it and keep it, but so far, i'm not really good at it because job offers so many demands and distractions. This is a small canvas i was working on in a gentle kind of mood, a little study of something nice and simple.

Love for a happy weekend!

Painting and photo: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Add some sweetness ...

2011-07-27T01:52:00.000-07:00

How far that little candle throws his beams!

William Shakespeare

Add some sweetness to your day with these lovely Birthday cake Coockies. And even if it is not your birthday, they might help to add a little sparkle to your coffeebreak or bring a smile to a friends face. Have a lovely day sugarpearls. See how to make them here.

Photo: Brooke McLay

Monday Love: Light(en) up your day

2011-07-24T10:51:00.000-07:00

Come on baby light my fire!

With this gorgeous DIY twig candle holder. I know this may looks a wee bit fallish for July, but hey, that's what summer feels like these days in my little rainy part of the world. Warm socks, hot tea, candle light and california dreaming ...

Photos and DIY instructions: blog.fossil.com

Friday Pretties: A colorful summer

2011-07-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.
Marcus Aurelius

Too hot, too cold - it seems, this summer likes to play in extremes. While some of you are almost melting away and want to sit and sleep in the freezer, others can't get out of their raincoats and wellies - like me! The lady in this painting shows, how to still celebrate life and balance hardship with equanimity and pride. Am looking forward to a colorful weekend, no matter what the weather - did you hear that, rain? Nothing against you, personally, but - time to take a break! Have you planned anything nice yet?

Painting: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Monday Love: tea party in the garden

2011-07-17T11:09:00.000-07:00

"Stressed" spelled backwards is "desserts". Coincidence? I think not!

How was your weekend lovelies? Mine was wonderful, yet the moon was and still is round and full and i feel it's influence by ways of tiredness. Would love to spend this monday in a dreamy and tender mood, decorating the garden with pretty flowers and china and have you around for tea and something good!

Photos: dujourmag

2011-07-13T06:31:00.000-07:00

Dreams are not without meaning wherever thay may come from - from fantasy, from the elements, or from other inspiration.
Paracelsus

Is there something like poetry in interior design? If so, you may find it in these special arrangements by Mathilde Hardy for her E-shop "Les Petits Bohèmes". You can find handmade toys, home accessoires, vintage furniture and more. Her style reminds me of the film "Amelie", and it gets me dreaming. How lovely for a child (and for big ones too!), to be surrounded by so much inspiration!

Photos and styling: Mathilde Hardy

Monday Love: Sweetness

2011-07-11T01:53:00.000-07:00

Put 'eat chocolate' at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll get one thing done!

Just a little extra sweetness for the start of your week sugars! Just chosse your favorite color. Welcome to all new followers, you may choose two;) Have been one lazy blogger this weekend due to friends visiting, but will stop by your place very soon. Are you up to something special this week?

Photo: Martina Voigt-Schmid

A colorful home

2011-07-07T11:06:00.000-07:00

A home is... where you feel comfortable. It's not a precious show home but a place where dogs can jump on the sofa and you can put your feet up.

Lisa Whatmough

I love this easy and colorful style mix in the home of Lisa Whatmough, a member of the mydeco design boutique, who makes exquisite furniture with a modern twist.

She says: "Take my advice... don't base your furniture on a paint colour. If you're unsure about choosing colours, start by collecting objects that you love colour–wise. My friend chose her new shop colour on a pair of pink marigolds!

How cute is that? If you love flea markets and garage sales, you'll adore Squint's pretty patchwork furniture in East London. Each piece is lovingly created using swatches of modern and vintage fabrics, very individual and artsy.

Awww, sometimes i dream of having my own fabric collection - hope i'll get around to it one day! Is there some creative project you are dreaming about?

Photos: Marie Claire maison

Monday Love: Beatrix Ost

2011-07-03T13:49:00.000-07:00

Absolutely fabulous!

Meet the artist Beatrix Ost, who, at age 71 is inspiring in every way. Not only in the way she dresses and looks in these pictures, but also in her fearless confrontation with life and the way it's expressed in her art. A project of hers that especially appeals to me is "Intimacy - 15 minutes of drawing" - something i'll take on a a challenge for the week to come. The drawings shown above are from a series shown on her website - really worth exploring.

She says: "What is intimacy, after all? Is it the sharing of the same thoughts and feelings? Is it being told an unmentionable secret? Is it the act of sex? No, it is stillness: silent, motionless meditation on the sitter's part, accompanied only by the singing of graphite on paper. A kind of Platonic camera, tracing the most essential outlines of a life. One person said: it is not stolen time, it is time agreed upon. Taken deliberately out of the bustle of the ordinary. Entering a time capsule willingly, cutting everything off, just to be still. A luxury we hardly grant ourselves. In these fifteen minutes we simply are.15 meditative minutes of intimate drawing can be seen as a correlative to Andy Warhol's loud and public 15 minutes of fame. They ebb and flow in inverse proportion."

What would 15 minutes of intimacy mean to you - what would you choose to do?

Drawings: Beatrix Ost, Photos: Advanced style

Fly away with me ...

2011-06-30T02:38:00.000-07:00

... in my little yellow plane!

Well - it's not really mine, but i'd love to own it, so i could come visit you all at weekends. Wouldn't that be fun? It really belonged to a very friendly gentlemen, who allowed our kids to sit in it and have fun with it, while Robin was taking pictures for our last KidsLife fashion shoot.

We had a great time at this little airport, all green and airy and with enough space to contain a bunch of wild boys that were supposed to model clothes. And look how cool they posed and played along! Also, their big sisiter was - wow - a natural at modelling, so pretty! Last photo: yours truly with her big son (who is wearing a T-shirt he got when he was 9 years old, decorated by my art sister Andrea ;))

Photos: Robin Benito, Susann Pfeifer

Monday Love: Summer bliss

2011-06-27T02:02:00.000-07:00

Let the sunshine in!

It's a hot day today and i soaked up the sun while i went to work, feeling the warmth around my shoulders. It's a "let's wear sandals, sing a song, eat an ice-cream, look at the blue sky and do a happy dance" kind of day. A "barefoot glamour godess with flowers in her hair" kind of day, a day to swim in the fountain and have iced espresso! How do you like to celebrate a summers day?

Painting: Martina Voigt-Schmid

One girl, three faces

2011-06-23T08:21:00.000-07:00

"Trust that little voice in your head that says: 'Wouldn't it be interesting if ...' And then do it. " Duane Michals, "More Joy of Photography"

I just love these pictures my son Robin has taken from his girlfriend, lovely model and actress Julie Gaston. They are both such talented artists and inventive people and can create something from almost nothing. And they keep inspiring me. Is there something, you have always wanted to try. but didn't get around doing yet?

Photos: Robin Benito

Monday Love: Stripes and Tulle

2011-06-19T12:15:00.001-07:00

In every big girl, there's a little girl ...

And in every little girl, there's a princess! Sometimes, you've got to let her out and play. And what is better to get her going, than the right dress? Dont you just love the festive holiday feeling in these pictures? You can actually buy these dreamy outfits at Ouma's shop on Etsy - i feel slightly tempted ...

Hope your week starts on an easy and playful note as well. And if it doesn't ... wear stripes and tulle. I bet even god has to smile on you, if you do!

Photos: Galaxie Andrews

Friday Pretties: Jewellery design

2011-06-16T10:02:00.000-07:00

Some drawings around the theme of jewellery design i found in my desk the other day. I did these several years ago, to be honest, quite a long while ago, for the last picture shows the design for our wedding band. The rings where the only thing that actually got made - from paper into metal. I had a client who had ordered ideas for a special watch to be made exclusively for him, and doing this, i got ideas for many other things. I had fun looking at these sheets again, so maybe you do, too!

Are you ready for the weekend, like i am? This week felt a bit tense for me and i can't wait to relax and come visit and chat with you.

Monday Love: Artful easy living

2011-06-12T03:09:00.000-07:00

Summer dreaming ...

Beautiful improvised szenes and styles that are fresh and easy like a summer breeze are a speciality of Tara Slogget. Viewing her gorgeous photos gets me dreaming about days out in the country, tea outside, faded english floral cloths, crystal jars, sunlight playing in the leaves and good times with family and friends - just right for a little holiday feeling on monday. Tara is very talented as an art directer and décor and lifestyle stylist. Discover more of her work here.

Hope your monday is lovely, whereever you are!

Friday Pretties: A colorful mess

2011-06-09T02:43:00.000-07:00

If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing.
Marc Chagall

A wee peek into my room which is also my studio at the moment, filled with colors, canvases, books, magazines, papers of all kinds – i just need a lot of insprational stuff around that i use all the time.

The two paintings on the wall are not really finished, but i like them this way, leaving things open a bit, leaving space to dream. Yesterday i was painting a bit on some small canvases, mainly flowers, which is always good to get me going. WiIll show you more about this soon!

I'm so ready for a break! If i don't have time to paint for a long time, i feel like all the colors in my head and heart get muddled up to a cloudy melange, and i need time to sort this out. We'll have a long weekend here, with monday being a holiday - how about you?

Photo and paintings: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Monday Love: Young at heart

2011-06-05T13:03:00.000-07:00

Old, bold, BEAUTIFUL!

Aren't these women great? To me, they are proof that every season in life can be lived, enjoyed and celebrated in style. One of them is a legendary Yoga teacher, another one (1st. image) a famous model. But all of them are supertstars when it comes to giving us new inspiration when it comes to staying attractive, fearless and young at heart. Also, they remind me of my own grandmother, who was an artist and a strong, beautiful woman, who kept being creative and interested in life for the whole of her 97 years.

These are all photographed in New York City by Ari Seth Cohen, creator of the blog Advanced Style. "Respect your elders and let these ladies and gents teach you a thing or two about living life to the fullest." he says, and shows fashionistas that are up to a 100 years old. If you want to find out more about how good heels can look on 90 years old ladies and how to wear silver hair with pride hop over and have a look!

Photos: Ari Seth Cohen

Friday Pretties: Girlfriends in the garden

2011-06-03T02:58:00.000-07:00

Gardening is how I relax. It's another form of creating and playing with colors.
Oscar de la Renta

Everything is more fun, if you do it with a girlfriend. Yesterday, instead of getting back to my canvases, as i had planned, i got engaged in a day of heavy gardening, helped by a lovely friend of mine and my son, who both developed Crocodile-Dundee qualities in tearing out huge elderberry branches and other things, that made the place look like a djungle. In fact, it felt like creating a huge - 3-dimensional painting!

This weekend however, i hope to relax and enjoy the well tended greenness, look at the flowers, bronze my legs, do my toenails and maybe eat that yummy strawberry crumble we tried for the magazine some time ago. The crust is made from oatflakes, a bit of flower, sugar, melted butter and a bit of Cardamon - so good!

Chin chin to girlfriends - and by that i include YOU! You make the world go round in a nicer way and you totally rock!

Photos: 1st: Vogue, 2nd, 3rd and 4th: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Monday Love: Roses in Mai

2011-05-30T02:53:00.000-07:00

A rose is a rose is a rose ...

Have a big bush of roses in my front garden - they are so beautiful! This little stillifes features some of the good things in summer - flowers, fruit, easy living ... Hope your week gets of to a lovely start!

Painting: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Friday Pretties: Paris fashion

2011-05-26T08:44:00.000-07:00

What makes french women special?
Are they really special in the way they look and dress, or is it more the myth of Paris, being the City of love, lights, fashion, art and style, we project on to them? Looking at a lot of pictures - from my own memory and experience, and from magazines and blogs i'd say, french women are very feminin - and they enjoy to be so, even if they look "gamine", like the girl in the first picture here. (I just got me a leopard blouse like that, ha!)

They know how to combine elegance with playfulness and a sexy nonchalnace. I've always enjoyed seeing the women in Paris, women of all ages, being dressed up in such an inspiring way. Putting together an outfit, like a work of art - which in some ways, it really is. So, wether in Paris or not, let's not forget that dressing up nicely - and a little daring - makes life, street life anyway, more interesting and beautiful - not just for ourselves, but also for others. (A good excuse to schedule a little shopping soon, huh?).

All the pictures i show you here are taken by incredibly talented street fashion photographer Vanessa Jackmann. Her blog is so full of beautiful women it drives me crazy ;) You can read an interview with her here.

More fantastic Paris inspiration for your weekend at the linkup party, hosted by my friend Anita from Castles Crowns and Cottages here.

More Friday Pretties at Joyces, here.

Photos: Vanessa Jackmann.

Monday Love: Yellow and blue

2011-05-23T01:58:00.000-07:00

How about lunch on the beach?

Would love to invite you today - to this lovely setting with vintage chairs, selfmade-cushions and stunning fresh flowers, all set up to celebrate life (discoverd on style me pretty., a blog i love to visit although i'm not planning on getting married again ;))).

Are we entitled to celebrate a little bit today? No matter what else is on schedule, we really should. I've brought a little salad, french bread and a nice cool bottle of Prosecco for us. Here's chin chin to all of you lovelies - and to a fantastic week of spring for all of us!

Am so grateful for all the pretties i see in blogland every day. Have a look at more photos from the amazing team listed below:

Photography: Limelight Photography / Dessert Table Concept and Design: Chic Sweets / Tablescape Concept and Design, Model: MMD Events/ Printed goods, Signage and Custom Blooming Pillows: Two Yellow Shoes

Friday Pretties: strawberry trifle

2011-05-19T02:52:00.000-07:00

Red and sweet

Are strawberries ripe yet in your part of the world? This is a yummy dessert we tried for the magazine a little while ago, and i tell you - it's worth making! Somehow, i have a fable for casual, improvised meals and for english teatime baking and desserts. I love a good teatime from time to time, and secretly dream of having a butler, who serves it up in style for us, complete with a white table cloth, a wildflower bouqet, scones, cream, and evrything else. Even if was just like - once a week ;)

For this version, we used layers of crumbled cake, soaked with orange juice and brandy, cut strawberries and cream, whipped with a little sugar and vanilla extract. It looks pretty when you put it in individual jars, and decorate with berries and a bit of flaky chocolate. Try it, to add a delicious note to your weekend!

Photos: Martina Voigt-Schmid

More Friday Pretties here!

Monday Love: Into the blue

2011-05-16T01:45:00.000-07:00

A blue monday ...

is a free monday, and i'm having one of these today. Am feeling rather out of it - headache, stomach ache, backpains - all good reasons to do nothing but read, sketch and occassionally have a cuppa and a little mouthful! I hope this plan works out today!

These two blue paintings are a from a series i did with my artist friend Andrea König.

In this case, she lay a cobweb of tiny silver dots over the paintings. The structure looks different in the changing light and sometimes gives the impression of movement - quite fascinating!

I always like to work in layers, one partly veiling the others. It takes trust, to let someone else do part of the work for you, when your art is concerned - surprises guaranteed!

Friday Pretties: Birthday-cowboy

2011-05-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

Saddle up and ride your pony!

If someone in our family has birthday, i do a special painting as a decoration. It's a tradition we started, when the kids were really small. We had all kinds of animals, comic-creatures and super-heroes already. Now big boy is riding out on his own trips, and, since mama has the cowboy-feeling on her mind i dedicated this theme to him this year. I'm dreaming of painting a big canvas with horses and all, maybe soon! Hope your weekend will be filled with sunshine, love and fun. See you soon lovelies!

There never was a horse that couldn't be rode;

Never was a cowboy who couldn't be throwed.

Painting: Martina Voigt-Schmid

More Friday Pretties here!

Monday Love: Let love show!

2011-05-09T02:39:00.000-07:00

Mums the best!

And why not show it by wearing one of these super posh ribbon medaillons on your shirt today?

The best thing about them is - YOU can make them. Either for yourself, or for your mum or for your best friend. Found this gorgeous DIY on the pages of style me pretty. Hop over there to see the tutorial -

and make this monday special!

Design: Posh Paperie, Photos: Jackie Wonders

Friday Pretties: Pink and yellow

2011-05-06T09:51:00.000-07:00

Shoes and Flowers

Two of my favorite items in one painting - 3 paintings that form a whole. Some of you might know these paintings - i think i have shown them last year already, but somehow, these colors and the spirit of that work are exactly what i feel today, a combination that makes me happy, like a dance or a piece of music i love. It was sold, so i only have these pictures to look at. After a period of hard work on the magazine, i hope to find more time for my art again. I miss it and crave to dive into the free flow of colors and shapes, that special energy that comes back to me with more sunlight and longer days. A creative celebration of spring!

Am grateful for all the beautiful things around - and for you my friends, who are always so kind and uplifting in your sweet comments and in your own blogs, little spaces of wonderful energy i love visiting. Isn't a free weekend such a lovely thing? Have a great time - and see you soon!

Photo: Martina Voigt-Schmid

More Friday Pretties here!

Monday Love: Cherry blossoms

2011-05-02T03:27:00.000-07:00

Little spring treasures

Some photography, playing with white blossoms, a shocking pink felted bag and a green tea-bottle i had to buy in a café last week - just because it looked so nice! And some sea-creatures i found at the flea-market. The white blossoms have been blown away by April winds since - a reminder to really cherish and enjoy everything, before time is dancing away with it! Hope your week starts smooth and lovely!

The winner of my giveaway - names were put in the pink bag and picked out of it -

is Poppies and sunshine, a blog i really like. I'll send you a mail on how to proceed with your photo to get the jigsaw. Congrats!

Photos: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Friday Pretties: White chocolate and strawberry soup

2011-04-29T03:33:00.000-07:00

Want to play with your food?

Why not! This is a fun dessert for your weekend- easy to make and super-delicious! I've made it for our magazine - one of my first real atempts in food styling and photography, helped by my son Robin and his girfriend Julie, eaten and tested by all of us! You can pour the liquids together and create a lovely color-swirl, you can dip muffins or coockies in, put it over fruit-salad, or just drink it of the jar - as a little reward because: you've been soooooooooo good!

The original recipe was found at Tartelette, who is an amazing cook and stylist - we've only made it a little less sweet. Have a yummy weekend everyone! And don't forget to enter my giveaway in the post below!

White chocolate soup

200 g white chocolate

1 cup passionfruit juice

one 14-oz can coconutmilk

Carefully start melting white chocolate in a little pot over low heat. Add coconutmilk and stir, until chocolate has dissolved. Add passionfriutjuice and stir on. Turn heat off and leave for 5 minutes. Than beat mixture until creamy. Put in jars or bowls and chill until serving.

Strawberry purree

500 g ripe strawberries

juice and peel of a bio-lemon

1 dash of vanilla extraxt

Put all ingredients in a blender and puree. Chill mixture until serving.

Photo: Martina Voigt-Schmid
More Friday Pretties here!

Jump! And a giveaway!

2011-04-26T04:23:00.000-07:00

Whoooooohooooo!

JUMP into a fabulous week! Am still in easter mood and a bit lazy-hazy - a jump into the blue ocean would do me good i guess! This is a favorite photo of mine - my son Robin, taken during a holiday at the Italian Riviera. I love the vintage feel of it, although it was not photo-shopped!
Photo: Martina Voigt-Schmid

In case you also have a special photo you love, maybe you would like to win a Photo jigsaw of it - as a special present for yourself, or someone you love. Bags of Love is offering one of these fun little boxes, custom made with your design, to one of my readers.

If you want to win:

Leave a comment on this post, become a follower of my blog (and if you already are following me. tell me so). That's it! Lots of luck and see you soon!

Winner will be announced monday next week.

Fridayx Pretties: DIY Paper Flowers

2011-04-21T04:37:00.000-07:00

In the mood to make something?

How about these colorful flower-pompoms! They look quite impressive as a decoration for a party or - just for fun. And they are super easy to make. I know this is not exactly an easter thing, but - in case flowers are not yet in bloom where you are, they may add a touch of spring to your rooms - give it a try! I've made them last week as a creative project for the magazine, but also for my hubbys birthday.

Do you have anything planned for easter? I'm staying here, but, as the weather is really nice and sunny, i don't really mind. Going for long walks, having nice brunches and dinners with my family and friends, and just relaxing and celebrating the beauty around seems to be just the right thing!

Photos: Martina Voigt-Schmid
For more Friday Pretties visit Joyce's here!

Monday Love: Great times in NYC

2011-04-18T11:26:00.000-07:00

A trip downtown
Some pictures from a trip to NY some time ago, visiting my friend, gorgeous actress Sophie Sutton and her sweet daughter Olivia. Some pix for my magazine, some just for fun. New York is a place for action, so it felt really good to be all involved and busy, visiting all kinds of interesting places for little - and big - girls! Oh, how i'd love to be there now!

In real life i'm busy, finishing another issue of KidsLife-magazine, sorting out a lot of pictures from a new session with kids fashion i'm going to show you soon. Today was too short again - ha ha, that's a never ending problem of mine! How was your start to the new week?

Photos: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Friday Pretties: Beauty saves the day

2011-04-15T01:52:00.000-07:00

Happy weekend lovelies!

Don't you think that beauty can save the day?

I've seen this photo some time ago on decor8 and it's beauty stayed with me. It is made by the talented giardino, who lives in one of my favorite landscapes in the world - in Ticino, the italian part of switzerland. Maybe i can show more of her work here soon.

I have been quite busy the past few days, and have many fabulous things lined up for you in the next week. A kids-fashion shoot, a paper-flower tutorial and some very yummy sweet things to eat! Meanwhile i hope you'll have a wonderful weekend - will come round later and have a little chat!

Photo: Giardino

My art in new rooms

2011-04-13T04:20:00.000-07:00

Home is where your art is!

Purple and yellow sure is a daring combination, but it looks rich and warm with a new painting of mine, one of a set of three, with different color skies. These little orange houses appear in my paintings from time to time – like a symbol for a safe and happy place to be! Hope you're having a good time so far this week - keep up the sparkle!

Painting: Martina Voigt-Schmid, photo: Modern Country Home

Monday Love: Sour sweetness

2011-04-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

Do you love the taste of lemons?

I do! And somehow today, as if there weren't a 1000 other things on my mind, i find myself thinking about making lemon curd. It's yellow, it's sweet and it's special (at least over here in Germany) ... and easy to make. And there are so many fun ways to enjoy it: on joghurt, on toast, on scones, on cakes ... it just adds this lovely cheese-cake flavour to anything. Have you ever tried making it? Here is the recipe!

Hope your week is getting off to a fabulous start girls - am seding a lot of lemony sunshine your way!

Photos: Goodlife Eats

Friday Pretties: Jazz up your day ...

2011-04-07T02:51:00.000-07:00

...by wearing some funky jewellery!

The bright yellow bauble in these pictures belongs to a wristlet of mine, that looks like it is made of chocolates wrappend in tin-foil. All the kids love it, when they see it, and for me it's a reminder to never forget that a little sweetness can change your mood any time. A chocolate truffle, a raspberry icecream, a lovely compliment, a bunch of flowers, a little walk in the sunshine, a hug, a song, a smile, a small present ... hmmm, maybe buy something for your friend today, because -

The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.

Mark Twain

Photos: Martina Voigt-Schmid

For more Friday Pretties visit Joyce's here!

Monday Love: Shopping spree

2011-04-04T02:23:00.000-07:00

Monday, monday ...
How was your weekend lovlies? Here, we had perfect spring weather and the landscape looked and smelled like what i've been fantasizing about all through winter! Today, however, the trees, flowers (and myself) are shivering in a cold wind and i need some monday consolation.

Just recently, i stumbled upon a new webshop, Layla Grace - with romantic home accesoires and furniture, jewellery, gifts and fashion. If you dream about giving your house this french-chateau kind of atmosphere, go and have a look - i'd fancy this beautiful chandelier in the third picture!

Photos: Layla Grace

Friday Pretties: Small collages

2011-04-01T02:51:00.000-07:00

"I work in whatever medium likes me at the moment!"

Marc Chagall

Some more small canvases with a mix of painting and collage, a playful approach i like at the moment. It's fun to play with colors, while the world around us is doing the same, adorning trees with fluffy pink blossoms and tender green leaves.

While everything is getting brighter and more and more pretty around me, i can't help having this sad and burdened feeling underneath, because of the nuclear catastrophe in Japan. When i see Cherry-trees, i think of those people who like them so much, and who have to bear terrible uncertainty as to what is happening to them. And to a certain degree, it is happening to all of us. All the more reason to be grateful and cherish life the best we can.

Have a splendid spring weekend, i'll be coming over and visit you for tea (or champagne?) anytime!

Photos and paintings: Martina Voigt-Schmid

For more Friday Pretties visit Joyce's here!

Monday Love: Spring starts in my studio

2011-03-28T05:44:00.000-07:00

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"

Robin Williams

Some pix of the colorful mess of my studio. The clock changed to summertime and soft pink cherry trees are dancing in the breeze outside. Come and unwrap some chocolate eggs with me - we'll have Cappuccinos and forget about monday today!

Photos: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Friday Pretties: Cottage Makeover

2011-03-24T08:58:00.000-07:00

Hallo weekend, here we come!

This cottage looks like a perfect hideaway after a busy week - a place to slow down and let your hair down, to breathe deeply, sleep in and enjoy the simple pleasures of fresh air, good food, picking flowers, maybe working in the garden or being creative. Don't you just love that turquoise wooden wall with white stencil leaves pattern in the bedroom? And the yellow-green with white and a touch of pink in the living room? Maybe, you can hear the sound of the ocean in the distance, and smell freshly baked scones - Mrs. Moussie is coming over for tea!

Have a fabulous weekend dear friends. Do take time to spoil yourselfs a little - no pudding, no fun!

Photos: Country Home
For more Friday Pretties visit Joyce's here!

Bubblegum fun

2011-03-22T03:09:00.000-07:00

"Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions."
Pablo Picasso

My lovely starsister from NYC send me a present with, among other treats, brightly colored baubles. They look like bubblegum - the one we used to buy as kids, with a sugary coating, and they had: play with me! written all over them. So, i got my camera and had a go. And again i thought - yes, colors are like notes. You can play any song with them!
Have a bright and happy day dear ones!

Photos: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Monday Love: Spring is in the air!

2011-03-20T12:30:00.000-07:00

Just because ...
Times are strange at the moment - so much suffering and tension everywhere i look. Why does this have to be so? A wonderful guru from India i once met at a retreat, Soham Baba, said, the world is like a golden coin, and it has two sides. We cannot have one, without the other. Where there is light, there is shadow also. Yet, since the news are so depressing, i feel that here in blogland, we are aiming for balance - by concentrating on the bright side, by putting so much energy in showing each other, and manifesting, the beauty and goodness of live, again and again. I'm so glad we can share this - not because we are blind to the "real world", but just because ...

This is a painting of mine from some years ago and it's one of those i don't want to part with. It was inspired by spring, by sunshine, the happy tunes of tulips, daffodils and forsythia - and Fauns and Kentaures by Picasso. I feel drawn to these wild, magical creatures as they resonate with the wild side of life, with playfulness, innocence and nature.

Painting: Martina Voigt-Schmid

For Japan with Love

2011-03-18T02:58:00.000-07:00

I love how the blogging community unites today in this initiative that shows, what small efforts can do. If you are a blogger, you can participate too. This Friday, March 18th, my blog will be silent as in no posts in honor and respect for what has happened in Japan.

To donate, click here

Ever Ours has teamed up with Utterly Engaged and handpicked ShelterBox as the organization to donate to, where there are volunteers are already there in Japan helping, so please be assured that your donations are being put to good use. ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for families around the world who are affected by disasters at the time when they need it the most. Each large, green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items.

Friday Pretties: Felted pussy-willow

2011-03-17T10:28:00.000-07:00

A cute project for early spring

If you're like me, and you can't wait for things to bloom, maybe you're in for a bit of fun with little felted balls. Attached with a little glue to some bare branches from a fruit tree or bush, they make a colorful and stylish bouquet - or centerpiece for your table. Sometimes, i love to work with this unspun wool, in germany we call it "Märchenwolle" - fairytale-wool. It has such a comforting quality, and rolling it up between your fingers is pure therapy for stress relief!

This is an idea and photo by Betz White - have a look at her Flickr, she's got more amazing craft projects to browse! For more Friday Pretties visit Joyce's here!

Monday Love: Beautiful Japan

2011-03-14T04:43:00.000-07:00

“Fall seven times and stand up eight.”

Japanese proverb

As more and more horrible news come in, my thoughts and feelings are with the japanese people, who have to face such and open end disaster. People in Japan now need all the strength and flexibility they can master. And they deserve all the help they can get. Found these strikingly beautiful photos of ancient and modern Japan in the portfolio of photographer Petrina Tinslay.

Photos: Petrina Tinslay

Friday Pretties: Some art vitamins

2011-03-11T06:37:00.000-08:00

Let Yourself Be Silently Drawn By the Stronger Pull Of That Which You Really Love.

Jalal-al-Din Rumi

Some small canvases i've worked on, using bits of vintage paper i'd stored in my drawer, and pages of an old book by french writer Colette.

Happy weekend dear ones! I can't believe how another week has just flewn by - time seems to be faster than me! At the moment i feel like time is a horse, and i don't really manage to ride it, but it gallops away with me - there, boom, friday again! Nevertheless of course, weekend is more than welcome and i can't wait to stop by at your places and have some tea!

Paintings/Collages: Martina Voigt-Schmid
More Friday Pretties to visit at Joyce's here!

Spring is in the air!

2011-03-08T08:30:00.000-08:00

Yellow mellow

A painting from last spring, celebrating the yellow things, that so belong to the beginning of spring - even if lemons don't really grow here ;) Everything is easier, when spring is in the air and the evenings get longer again ... Today, i've had my first Cappuccino sitting in a café outside - to good to be true!

Painting: Martina Voigt-Schmid

Monday Love: Pink Lady

2011-03-06T11:19:00.000-08:00

Are you ready for some spring colors?

I just came across the bright and colorful collection by Kate Spade, which i find really inspiring! As much as love neutrals like black, beige, navy and grey, i'm so up for some cheerful brightness right now, and that little pink cardigan would do just fine to freshen up my plain Jeans and T-shirt combination. Pink, white and yellow look so happy and playful to me - i love to use these colors in my paintings as well. So, my a place a hint to the easterbunny?

Hope your week starts on a happy note - but if it your to do list drags you down, remember: when life gives you lemons, make a Gin & Tonic!

Photos: Kate Spade

Friday Pretties: New furniture for (almost) free!

2011-03-03T09:45:00.000-08:00

Chair before

Chair after

Two amazing DIY projects on a budget

i found on "The art of doing stuff", a blog by this amazing and crafty lady Karen, who is really wort a visit! She transformed an abandoned chair she found by the side of the road into this strikingly luxurious dream of a chair, and a simple piece of tree-trunk into a stylish side-table that looks like it was bought in an expensive design-store.

For the chair, she simply covered it up with a Mongolian Lamb throw - no special skills needed for that one, it's finished in a minute, YAY! For the table - hmmm, looks like a girl must be a bit more patient here, but it sounds perfectly doable as well. Look at the instruction here.

Boy, i miss going to the fleemarket and look for ragged chairs! What are your plans for the weekend?

Photos: "The art of doing stuff"

More Friday Pretties to visit at Joyce's here!