Schirn and it’s ‘Fantastic Women’
Championing the contribution of Female Artists to Surrealism
In my opinion, the Schirn has once again outdone itself with its latest exhibition, ‘Fantastische Frauen’. The exhibit opened last week to feature 34 Female artists from 11 different countries with some 260 works between them. A multidisciplinary exhibit including painting, works on paper, photography, film and sculpture.
What is Surrealism?
Ever stopped to remember your dreams? To reflect without judgement and put aside any rational and objective thought? It’s an interesting exercise and one I encourage you all to try. In essence, this is the premise upon which Surrealism is built, the unconscious in the absence of reason and rationality.
With this in mind, the Schirn has put together a remarkable group of women who beautifully illustrate and showcase the extent and beauty of our unconscious mind. Some you will have heard of, the likes of Louise Bourgeois, Claude Cahun, Leonora Carrington, Frida Kahlo and Meret Oppenheim whilst others perhaps not, renowned is not the point here. What is the point however, and true for all of them was their no longer willing to remain the Goddess, she-devil, doll, fetish, child-woman or wonderful dream creature in someone else’s subconscious construct but rather forging and defining their own. They battle with and delve into conversations that even today, people approach with caution and at times skepticism transgender, female objectification
Take your kids
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again I love the time and effort Schirn makes and takes to bring art to our younger generations! Last week I took both my boys to the kids opening of the Fantastic Women Surrealism exhibit. It makes my heart sing that the museum sees it important for the kids to have their own personal screening. There was a workshop and refreshments, which is just as important as the exhibition itself I might add. Kids are allowed to be happy and excited in the ‘boring museum’ context. And therefore forging happy and positive connotations with art and history.
When I was younger I found art intimidating, almost a feeling like I couldn’t enjoy it because I didn’t know much about it! I don’t want this for my kids. After all, art is there for all to appreciate regardless of whether you know the artist, genre and artists intention.
Good to know:
- Exhibition runs February 13 until May 24, 2020
- Avoid the queue and click here for tickets
- pop into a cafe with Frida Kahlo as its muse and have a coffee in her company
- Disclaimer I am not an art historian nor critic, this is merely my opinion
Screen Printing: Jakob und Tatze
Have you ever wondered how they print t-shirts, cloth bags and those art prints that hang on your wall? More than likely they were screen printed! In essence, screen printing is when ink is pushed through a mesh or stencil to print a particular design on the desired material. Seems simple enough right? Evidently this is not the case, and it takes an enormous amount of skill. And Nina Egil from Jakob und Tatze is definitely someone who has this skill and she does all her screen printing here in Frankfurt. Nina is a graphic designer by day and a screen printer by night and on the weekends. Nina discovered her love for screen printing when she did an apprenticeship. She found she was able to combine her two passions by opening her own studio right here in Frankfurt. Finally, her love for graphic design and her love for screen printing came together. Notably, Nina’s studio is absolutely beautiful and consists of one big bright room with fantastically high ceilings. Also, you will find everything you need to make small runs or individual pieces, all screen printing is done by hand on fabric and paper. The studio was furnished and designed with a lot of passion and attention to detail. TFE first met Nina at the opening of her screen printing studio in 2019. Not only was everyone given refreshments and snacks at her opening, but, many were also invited to try their hand at a simple screen printing project. A wonderfully interactive experience where many had the pleasure to find out first hand what it’s all about. Kelly’s daughter Edith was amongst those to have the opportunity to try and she absolutely loved the experience. As they say, ‘you are never too young’. Subsequent to the opening Kelly too booked herself on one of Nina’s day workshops. Read about her experience here. Also, we highly recommend attending one of Nina’s screen printing workshops. Not only, if you are looking to try something new, but, also if need a new gift idea. Finally, all information is available directly on her website.
Address: Lange Straße 31 Additional info: website | instagram | facebook
What is screen printing?
Who’s Behind the ‘Screen’
Good to know:
Tel: 0049 176 739 844 25
Email: [email protected]
Screen printing Workshop with Jakob und Tatze
Have you ever wondered how t-shirts get printed? Or cloth bags and those art prints that hang on your wall? Most likely they were screen printed! I’ve always been curious about screen printing. I took a class back in London ages ago but it was just a half day course and we didn’t go into too much detail. I printed a few things and that was the end of my screen printing career. When I had my kids wear brand I outsourced my printing to a local guy in London. It was just easier that way. But still I always wanted to try it again myself.
Screen Printing workshop, a brief overview
I attended one of her Friday sessions from 10am -3pm. I was there with 4 other women. It was so nice to meet some new people and see their cool designs. Most of the course was done in German but if I had any questions or didn’t understand something I just asked Nina to explain it to me in English. Nina had asked us to prepare a design in advance so she could prepare our screens. I had used a design from my kids wear collection from way back when. I still loved the prints I designed and decided I would use these again. I also thought what I great Christmas gift idea. I would take these designs and print them on shirts for my family.
Learning the entire process of screen printing from start to finish was very interesting. I admire Nina for her knowledge in this art. There is a lot to learn and consider when screen printing. Space is one of them. I plan on booking a session again so I can spend some more time learning the kraft and printing other projects.
If you are looking for a unique gift, a team building day or a family outing, I high recommend booking a day session with Nina. It’s super fun and educational too. You never know it may spark something in you.
Read more about Nina and Jakob und Tatze here
City Break: Ski Weekend Winterberg
Want to get out of the city? Looking for a quick easy option for a ski weekend getaway?
Winterberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, lies north of Frankfurt and is a relaxed 2 hour drive away. The town is well known for ski slopes, trail walking and and biking. With this in mind, it makes a perfect spot for a quick and easy get out of the city ski week end!
We woke on Saturday morning had a leisurely breakfast before leaving and arrived in time for the afternoon lesson! Now it’s worth mentioning that we are complete ski novices (my kids never having skied before) and as such our choice of ski school reflects this! We chose not to be in Winterberg itself, instead we chose a smaller ski school just outside Medebach (see below for link).
Jose, greeted us when we arrived and got all gear sorted immediately, we had to hire the boots and ski’s. Next, the boys headed onto slopes (term is used very loosely) for their first ever ski lesson! They absolutely loved it!! They didn’t manage the full 2 hour lesson, they were pretty spent after an hour and a half and my toes were freezing! Quick bite in the restaurant and it was back to our airbnb for some well deserved rest.
Sunday morning was a three hour lesson broken up by an hour break for recharge and sustenance. Both my husband and boys headed out this time (perhaps I’ll try my hand or feet next time!). After the lesson we grabbed a quick bite to eat again and headed back to Frankfurt, we were back in time for dinner and everyone was in bed by 7:30pm
Good week end had by all!
Ski School details:
- Name: Schlossberg
- Adult and kids ski lessons offered
- Lessons offered inEnglish, German, Dutch
- currently ski lessons are scheduled to run until early march snow and demand dependant
- Friendly, relaxed and incredibly patient teachers
- Restaurant on site serving up fresh grub
- Deck space outside which is right next slopes so you can watch your kids if you that way inclined
- Cash is king
Good to know:
- we used airbnb to book an apartment 2 minutes down the road
- Check Yeti is good source for finding ski lessons too
- for other ideas for places to visit check out our ‘Getaways’ section
We've teamed up
OMG we are so excited to announce that we have teamed up with the incredible Frankfurt Du Bist So Wunderbar to bring you even more cool English content! Well in the most simple of terms Frankfurt Du Bist So Wunderbar is a magazine, blog and general creative force! Of course much of the content that you will find on Frankfurt Du Bist So Wunderbar is offered in german but don’t let that deter you we’ll be writing plenty of content! Also, check out their instagram feed it’s AMAZING! Of course for this great content and imagery they take the time to walk the streets with their eyes wide open, find what so many miss and put it up for all to see! Finally, at different times during the year they go ‘old school’ and publish a magazine which you can pick up at various locations through out the city. For the rest of the year you can find their blog online! The Frankfurt Edit and Frankfurt Du Bist So Wunderbar align along many avenues, one being that we are both working towards showing people a side of Frankfurt that they perhaps don’t know about! With this in mind, double the power double the impact.
Fahrgasse 26 esistfreitag: website | facebook | instagram Frankfurt Du Bist So Wunderbar: website | facebook | instagram
So who exactly is Frankfurt Du Bist So Wunderbar?
Working together to bring you more COOL English content
Good to know:
Address:
60311 Frankfurt am MainAdditional info:
Vincent Van Gogh, Father of Modernism
What’s the old saying? ‘Behind every famous man is a hard working woman’ .
Once again, it’s not surprising to find that behind a famous man was a hard working woman running the show. Take a moment to think about it, women are strong, excellent multi-taskers and good at trusting their gut.
With this in mind, did you know one of the reasons Van Gogh’s paintings became as famous as they did was as a result of his sister-in-law, Johanna van Gogh-Bonger? Yep, after her husband’s death (Theo, Vincent’s younger brother) she took over Vincent’s legacy. In other words, with great determination she worked to established contacts and relationships with some of the most famous galleries and museums in the world, many of which were in Germany. Yes, Van Gogh had the talent, but his sister-in-law had the vision.
Who was Vincent Van Gogh?
All of you, I’m sure, are familiar with the famous artist that is Vincent Van Gogh, the Father of Modernism. He is after all, one of the greats. I have to admit I was shocked at how little I knew about him until I went on an English tour of his exhibition at the Städel Museum. I’m not one to normally join a guided tour but I decided to tag along with the Newcomers Meetup and I’m so glad I did. It was thoroughly enjoyable and very educational. Now I’m not going to go into loads of detail about Van Gogh or the exhibition as I am here to encourage you to go and see it for yourself. But I would recommend signing up for a guided tour as you’ll learn about Vincent and his crazy life. The real reason he became famous. Maybe some conspiracy theories. Or perhaps you’ll just learn more about his art and that he was ahead of his time when it came to paint colours and his painting techniques. Also, you’ll learn how Germany played a vital role in his career and also his success. Yes, even the Städel Museum, played a part.
I would encourage you to go on a guided tour (whichever language you fancy) and then explore the exhibition again on your own. Give yourself some time to soak in his work and the work of his fan club (yes many painters have tried to copy him) .
The exhibition is perfect for the little ones as well. My daughter has been studying Van Gogh at school and was very keen to see his work in person. After you’ve seen the exhibition, hop into the gift shop and buy yourself an ear magnet. Just a little keep sake. hahaha
Good to know:
- exhibition runs at the Städel Museum until the 2/16/2020
- For more information about the exhibition please visit the Städel Museum website here.
- You may also like to visit the Schirn and Museum Angewandte Kunst
Portrait Photographer: Koppiright Fotografie
Days pass so quickly in this thing called life and often the only thing we have to remind us of days gone by are our photographs! Saying this, finding the right portrait photographer to photograph a special occasion (wedding or engagement) or capture your family portraits can be a daunting task. With this in mind we’d absolutely recommend Nadine! To find out a little more about who is behind the lens and how she likes to work, please take a read of her spotlight interview here. What’s more we had the absolute pleasure of having Nadine take our photos back in 2018. What a blast! Now, as some of you may know Janice spends most of her time behind the camera and feels most comfortable there, so, for her to be comfortable in front of the camera is quite something! We spent a morning walking the streets of Frankfurt feeling totally relaxed while Nadine worked her magic!! She has a wonderful warmth about her and a wicked sense of humour, goodness we laughed that day! In conclusion for your portrait photography needs give Nadine a call, she’ll be absolutely delighted to hear from you!
Good to know:
Creative agency: esistfreitag, Frankfurt
Meet dynamic duo Vicky Prüfer and Amin Baghi, who together with their amazing team are responsible for bringing you two incredible brands here in Frankfurt. Namely, esistfreitag (creative agency) and Frankfurt Du Bist So Wunderbar (magazine, blog and creative force)! To summarise in their own words: ‘esistfreitag_the creative agency in Frankfurt. You might know them as the creators and publishers of Frankfurt Du Bist So Wunderbar (magazine + blog), a platform to connect people living, shaping and loving this beautiful city. But that’s not all, of course. From marketing strategy to print and online, cross channel marketing is their core business. At the heart it’s all about what’s right for the target customer and how to tell a truly valuable story. Oh, and they have the best coffee. Seriously.’ Frankfurt Du Bist So Wunderbar is how their creative force is working together to help transform and break preconceived ideas of the way people see Frankfurt the city! In other words they take the time to walk the streets with their eyes wide open, find what so many miss and put it up for all to see! At different times during the year they go ‘old school’ and publish a magazine which you can pick up at various locations through out the city. For the rest of the year you can find their blog online!
Fahrgasse 26 esistfreitag: website | facebook | instagram Frankfurt Du Bist So Wunderbar: website | facebook | instagram
Who\what is esistfreitag?
Of course why stop there? Enter Frankfurt Du Bist So Wunderbar
Good to know:
Address:
60311 Frankfurt am MainAdditional info:
Sustainable Food Storage Solutions
We are obsessed with sustainable food storage!! Why you might ask?? Because, we are obsessed with an organised fridge! We are also obsessed with glass containers and things looking pretty. In all seriousness though, a pretty organised fridge makes everyone more inclined to eat their salad in the depths of winter and not reach for the cookie jar!! With this in mind we’ve found that whilst glass works 80% of the time, there are times when it just doesn’t cut it. As a result, we’ve been on the look out for something innovative and sustainability minded for quite some time! We are pleased to say we have eventually found it! WILDWAX tuch! Hello world!!! Goodbye Plastic!! If you anything like us and are trying to eliminate the amount of plastic in your lives here is your answer! Say goodbye to plastic wrapped sandwiches in your kids lunch boxes, plastic wrapped dishes in your fridge and hard, dried out blocks of cheese in your bin! Wrap, cover, store! Finally, they are literally made on our doorstep meaning you can support another innovative local brand!! As a result, we all hopfully helping in a very small way to preserve this incredible little creature, the bee!
Good to know:
Best macarons in town, L'Art Sucré
There are times in life when only a macaron will do. Saying this, not all macarons are created equal – where and who is Frankfurts go to Patisserie?! And, where does one go for the best macarons in town?? Now whether the macaron originates in Italy or in France it’s of little interest to us (shhhhh don’t tell anyone!). However, what it is of interest to us here at TFE is where to get the perfect macaron and of course all things chocolatey and full of butter!? L’Art Sucré fits the bill on all accounts. Foundered by Sandra and Florian Köller back in 2008, the patisserie first opened its doors in Wiesbaden with the vision to create high quality artisanal products. Since then they have gone on to open two more branches one in the Taunus and another here in Frankfurt The Freßgass premises is beautifully ‘quaint’ from the exterior, with small wicker chairs and tables littering the cobbled sidewalk outside. In contrast, the inside seating offers something surprisingly different. The decor is modern, two tone walls (peacock blue and black) lined with black leather sofas and chairs complimented with small round green lacquered tables. Finally, Edith Piaf fills the airwaves and completes the scene. In other words, inside and outside offer something different from each other (temperature included!) . Meanwhile, the cake display cabinets are filled with the sweet delicacies to tickles most palates fancy! Macarons, Desserts and an assortment of chocolates that make you swoon! Think chocolate, ganache, nougat, berry infusions, caramels, creams and citrus. Above all, they have flavour combinations to blow your mind and calories to blow your diet. But hey, some days you’ve just got to do it!
Address: Hours:
Good to know:
Große Bockenheimer Str. 25
60313 Frankfurt am Main
Monday – Friday, 10am – 7pm
Saturday, 10am – 6pm
Sunday, 11am – 6pmAdditional Info: website | facebook
Christmas Gift Guide
Oh boy do we have 12 days of deliciousness for you! Today kicks off our 12 days of Christmas Gift Guide. Here at TFE we believe in supporting the local guy and it’s our ethos to shop independent. In this gift guide you will find some of our favourite local designers and shops. Believe us we wish we had more than 12 days because there are way more designers and shops we would have loved to include. But don’t you worry, we’ll be adding more and more information about the locals throughout the year.
Did you know the 12 days of Christmas actually begins on Christmas Day??!!! I know right, but this would be completely bogus for us as we want to inspire you to buy your presents locally here in Frankfurt and before Christmas!!!!!
Here’s to a very merry and local holiday season!
DAY 1:
Looking for something special, beautiful and made by hand? Check out the stunning jewellery collection from NANNA GELLERJEWELLERY She specialises in beautiful pearl pieces that are truly a piece that will last forever.
DAY 2:
When it comes to gifts we believe in quality over quantity. So of course our gift guide consists of pieces that are of the highest upmost quality and today’s pieces are just that! We have here cashmere from Christin Fabian, silk lingerie from Simone Ricker and again jewellery from Nanna Geller Jewellery. All these pieces work so well together.
DAY 3:
How about mixing a bit of luxe with a bit of vintage. Here we have the beautiful silk lingerie pieces from Simone Ricker and a vintage watch from Lili Woellers new jewellery collection. Check it out, it’s wonderful.
DAY 4:
DAY 4 is all about the kiddos! When it comes to gift giving, we prefer to give our kids a gift that keeps on giving. A gift that we know will be used over and over again and allows our little humans to use their imagination. We have here some cute gifts for different ages:
Tool kit from Moulin Roty
Unicorn Towel and chew toys from Liewood
Friseur Kit from Plan Toys
All of which can be purchased at Konfettiwolke.
If you’re looking for something for an older kid we highly recommend booking a screen printing course from Jakob und Tatze.
DAY 5:
Looking for a smaller gift or something for the stocking then we recommend the following:
Earrings from Indian Goods Company, the best!!!
Tiger bag from Indian Goods Company
Fundamental Berlin Star ornaments from 2nd Home
Sprekenhus Hand Lotion from Philokalist
You can’t go wrong with any of these fine pieces!
DAY 6:
Boy oh boy do we have the best gift idea for you my friends! Yep, it’s a good one! Ok so you have no idea what to get your friend or family member, you want it to be unique but something they would enjoy, personal but not too personal. Ok so you definitely need to head in to Feine Emma over on Vogelstrasse. They have a wonderful selection of dips, chutneys, chocolates, spreads, oils and Apéritifs. You can buy just one or two things or create your own box with a selection of their yummy products. We created a small box for a friend last year and they absolutely loved it! We highly recommend including the Peacetazie. scrumptious.
DAY 7:
We all have friends that love that something for the kitchen whether it be coffee related, baking or cooking. Right now we’re not recommending buying your friend a Kitchen Aid( we’ll happily take one though), but we can definitely suggest:
some beautiful mugs from Hartmud
flavoured syrups for the coffee from Liebesdienste Home Interiors
a bread making book and mix from Liebesdienste Home Interiors
spreads and oil from Feine Emma
beer bread mix from Oil & Vinegar
DAY 8:
Let’s talk about beauty products. Now not any ole beauty products, but eco friendly products, ones that are actually good for you and that don’t hurt the world we live in. A guilt-free Christmas gift!!!!
Philokalist over on Braubachstrasse has the finest selection of environmentally friendly cosmetics for men and women! We promise you we did not leave empty handed. And you our dear friends will not leave empty handed either.
DAY 9:
Gin, we would say is mans best friend, but I guess that’s only if you’re a gin drinker like us! A good bottle of gin is always a good gift. Fact! And a bottle of Tinted Gin from Edelranz is even better. What’s so different about this gin? Well it’s made in Germany and it’s full of all sorts of aromas floral, juniper, citrus, and sandalwood.
When you first pour the gin into a glass it’s blue, but when you add some tonic it turns purple. It’s a great party trick if you ask us!
You can purchase these tasty and beautiful gin at Kollekt!
DAY 10:
Christmas gifts can be exciting, innovative and surprising and this is very true of Fundamental Berlin’sproducts. They have created home goods inspired by mathematics of nature. Pretty cool, no?!
Almost all of what they make relies on the user to give it the final touch, to make it his or her own. They work with natural materials such as European oak, Douglas Fir, pure sheet metals, as well as some surprising new materials and processes.
Pictured here is some very cool products designed by them. All of which can be purchased at 2nd Home.
DAY 11:
Oh the men in our lives! What ever do we buy them for Christmas??!!!! Well we hope yours is easy to buy for then ours hahaha!!!!!
Ok so maybe your first reaction to a candle suggestion might be well hmm no, but friends this candle from Sprekenhus is manly and sexy and just yum! And the Llama matches are just too cool, so yeah it’s a cool gift if you ask us!
Also we highly recommend the Green and the Gent razor and shaving lotion.
All available at Philokalist.
DAY 12:
So what do you get someone that literally has everything???!!! A tote bag from PfefferminzGreen of course!
Pfefferminzgreen is small non-profit organisation that has been releasing records, selling visuals, exchanging know-how, organizing events and other creative aspects of life, in order to raise funds for their social projects and local NGOs in Subsaharan Africa.
Their latest project: With a Little Help from my Friends 2019
In February 2019, together with AIM, they set up a training center in Sierra Leone, where seven women are trained as dressmakers. Having participated in AIM education programs over the past few years, these former women (women who practice female genital cutting as a profession) now turn their backs on this harmful practice and are now supporting AIM’s work in the fight against FGM (Female Genitalia) Mutilation).
The beautiful results of their work can now be purchased for a donation of EUR 30
Business and Career Coaching: Casalon
Business or Career Coaching
Just moved? Looking for a new work challenge? Want to assess your current situation?
If any of this sounds familiar, Business or Career Coaching may provide the perfect solution. A qualified coach can help you objectively decide on the right course of action taking into your current situation. With this in mind, we’ve all learned over the years that often it is not what you know but who you know! Therefore, having the right coach is paramount! Someone with a good understanding of the job sector and economic climate will ensure you have the full picture and therefore choose the best opportunities available to you.
Firstly, Brexit looms over many heads. So now may be the perfect time to consider your options and be ahead of the curve and potential mass exodus. Secondly, Frankfurt is one of the worlds most important financial centres and occupies prime position as the Gateway to Europes largest economy, Germany! It’s little wonder that perhaps you and others you know may want to capitalise on being at the forefront.
Who are CAsalon?
Started back in 2010 by Birgit Caspar de Suárez the business has gone from strength to strength. They coach and counsel individuals in a private capacity as well as working with larger companies wanting to work or expand in Germany. Working with them not only gives one access to their extensive network but also their years of experience in the industry. They assist you each step of the way, including finding the right service providers and local experts ie. tax advisers, accountants, lawyers and interim managers for your individual circumstances.
What Services do they provide:
- Business Coaching: key strength areas are Future Leadership Development and Change Management
- Career Coaching: individualised solutions
- Outplacement: experience with both employer and employee
Good to know:
- Birgit speaks 100 languages (just kidding only four fluently – German, English, Spanish and Danish)
- Birgit herself has 25 years experience in the Industry
- Specialise in German employment and labour market
- Tailored solutions for each individual or business
- For a taste of Frankfurt city itself have a look at our Neighbourhood section.
Additional information: website | facebook
Legoland Germany
Getting there
Legoland Germany is situated on the outskirts of Günzburg, between Stuttgart and Munich. An easy 2.5 hour drive from Frankfurt (against a glorious Bavarian backdrop) lies a land that a 7 and 5 year olds dreams are made of! The phrase ‘are we there yet’ never far from their lips and excitement never far from their limbs!
Finally, Pirate Island is in our sights and the kids are literally itching to jump from the moving vehicle, thank god for child lock!! Each turn and closed door is the gateway to a potential discovery. Child size Lego figures are dotted around the expansive property as well as various playgrounds and activities of all descriptions . Excitement levels are off the charts and we haven’t even entered the official park yet.
Where to stay
In short, Legoland Germany Holiday Village is divided by not only theme (Knights, Cars, Egyptian pyramids, pirates) but also accommodation type (hotel, cottages and camping). As a result of Pirates being the current craze in our household Pirate Island hotel seemed like the obvious choice!
Our room is fairly spacious and a kids dream! The bathroom and a small passageway separates the master bed and kids sleeping area. Lego wall paper plasters the walls from corner to corner, there is zero chance of forgetting where you are! A giant treasure map heads the master bed and the kids bunk bed is a boat. Notably, a lego building plate and a box of Lego pieces spear heads each childs ‘sleeping quarter’.
First on the agenda? Unlock the safe and retrieve the treasure locked inside by solving the riddle provided. Before you panic the functional safe is separate. Second on the agenda? Essentially run around like a lunatics. For this reason we make our way outside to the playground. They head straight for the giant pirate ship where they become engrossed in a magical world of imaginary play for hours!
Where to eat
Since having kids, I don’t know about you, but holiday dining has become a completely different beast in our household! That is to say, once a quiet and leisurely affair they are now a military exercise executed with varying success rates. The goal however remains the same, to get in and out without major incident.
As with the accommodation there is a variety of options for feeding hungry tummies! Namely the Pirate Tavern (Buffet) and Smugglers Bar, Kings Tavern (a la carte), Jungle Buffet Restaurant and finally a Steakhouse
To summarise, our first evening we headed out to dinner at the Kings Tavern whilst the second evening we chose the Steakhouse. My expectations were fairly low if I’m honest, theme park catering hmmm. I was pleasantly surprised with not only lightening speed service but it was also pretty tasty! Furthermore, a play area was the focal point of each restaurant, meaning we not only got to eat our food and taste it, but we actually got to drink a glass (or two) of wine without incident. In short – God Bless Lego Land!
Inside the Park
Like everything at Legoland the park itself is divided by theme:
- Ninjago
- Pharaoh’s Land
- Pirates
- Knights Kingdom
- Adventure Land
- Legocity
- Miniland
As a result, it gives you the opportunity to choose your route according to the amount of time you have available to you and your children’s interests.
Tips:
- Map out a basic route with your kids before entering the park
- Pack a reusable water bottle
- Pack a second change of clothes or rain gear, some of the rides get you wet (rain covers are available at a cost)
- Take note of the “Action Shots” image number after each ride if you don’t buy it immediately
- Most rides are free but some need to be prebooked and paid for ie. the drivers school
- We spent a day and a half (two nights) and this felt like a good amount of time
- We went at the beginning of Autumn break and it wasn’t crazy busy (wait times were at most 10 minutes)
- A reservation is essential at the Steakhouse
- For something closer to home check out Freizeitpark Lochmühle
Address:
LEGOLAND Deutschland
LEGOLAND Allee 1
89312 Guenzburg
Bavaria – Germany
Additional Info: website | instagram | Facebook
Taunus: A Little Walk Through Altkönig
Taunus Family Activities
Can we talk about Autumn for a minute? Autumn to me is all about the cool crisp air, the leaves changing and beautiful walks in the countryside. I moved to Frankfurt from England and one thing I can say About England, it has beautiful countryside walks. Saying this, the amazing thing about living in Frankfurt is the fact that within 30 minutes of leaving the city centre and you’ll find yourself in the most beautiful scenery. Taunus for example.
If you haven’t had a chance to experience the beautiful area outside Frankfurt called Taunus then I highly suggest planning a day trip there sooner rather than later. In my opinion, Autumn is hands down the best time to go.
Family Day Trip into the country side
Looking for the perfect family day trip? Then definitely check out Altkönig the hightest mountian in the Taunus range. A perfect family activity!
Last Autumn, my family enjoyed a day in Altkönig in Taunus. Altkönig is the third highest mountain of the Taunus range in Hesse, reaching 798 metres above sea level. It’s referred to as pre-Taunus, it’s just before you get to the official Taunus.
It was my first time to the area and I can’t begin to describe what I believed to be an Autumnal heaven. The trees were painted in the most beautiful of colours. And the wind whistled gently through the leaves, creating a meditative song. We walked for some time until we reached a lovely little place to eat called the Fuchstanz. This traditional German cafe served typical German cuisine, which was lovely after a long hike through the forest. I had a large beer and a schnitzal. The perfect dish to re-energise you for the hike back to the car.
Good to know
- We rented a car for the day and drove to Altkönig but you can easily get there by train, it will just take a bit longer.
- There are many other areas in Taunus to explore, this just happens to be where we went. If you have any places you love in the area please let us know! We can’t wait to go and discover more places in this beautiful part of Germany.
- For more information about Taunus. Check out our write-up here.
SOUNDofAFISHINGBOAT x VinoKilo Fashion Show
Photos and text by Iva Batistic
Fast Fashion? – No, thank you!
What do you get when you mix wine, light, sounds and vintage clothes at low and fair prices sold by the kilo? An extraordinary show experience for all senses.
Sustainability – a term long known but rarely practiced, especially by the fashion industry. VinoKilo a.k.a. Robin Balser is changing that. For his pop up fashion show “Soundofafishingboat x VinoKilo“ on 4 October 2019 at Kunstverein Familie Montez, Robin had 30 models walk one of the hippest locations in Frankfurt. Dressed in sustainable vintage designs they were accompanied by an extraordinary light and sound show by SOUNDofAFISHINGBOAT a.k.a. Neil Balser.
Guests could not only experience a professional fashion show first hand, but were able to purchase the clothes afterwards, hand-picked high quality pieces of clothing were railed in the hall. As tunes by Eddy Hernández and Tim Eder played in the background, a glass of wine in one hand and a smile on their face, the trained eye made its way through the racks.
The young designer also opened up the stage for great local talent such as Fünf Clothing, Mainseam upcycled fashion, Menashion, moski.to, The Statement Thing, and Chii Nguyen Linh.
The show took place in two interconnected rooms. Models graciously glided through the “slow room”, entering the “fast room” in a more brisk pace. While guests at the former experienced a live sound show, the ones in the latter listened to Neil’s compositions on headphones. This parallel sound practice shows a socio-critical component mirroring the isolation of individuals in a “fast” environment: We are all part of the same structures but disconnected at the same time.
Who/What is VinoKilo?
VinoKilo wants to inspire people worldwide to see secondhand as a valid and long-term alternative to newly produced clothes. More and more people are looking for unique and individual ways to express themselves – what better way to do this than with your choice of style?
It all started in Groningen, when Robin established a small clothing library where he and his friends exchanged pieces of clothing. When his rental contract was terminated he sent out a FB invitation to sell his collection. More than 400 people showed up. The rest is history.
Per year, the average German throws out 10 to 12 kilogram of clothes – enough to dress the entire world population up to three times. Since VinoKilo was founded in 2015, some 90.000 kilograms of clothing have found new owners. Also, buying secondhand clothes means saving 7000 liters of water per item. While the fast fashion industry could consider changing regulations of their production, making it more sustainable, Robin Balser is successfully tackling this matter head on.
The social entrepreneur will expand his portfolio to include children’s clothes and also attract customers over 25 – currently, 80 % of his visitors are between 17 and 25 years old. So, pack your family and come join the next Vintage Kilo Sale in Frankfurt on 9 November 2019 at Halle 414, Gwinnerstraße 42, 60388 Frankfurt. If you prefer online shopping, check out their store.
Source: Reflecta.network and Journal Frankfurt
The Museumsuferfest Weekend
How many of you went to the Museumsuferfest?! I’m sure many of you did. Now I know it was a few months ago and clearly I’m just writing about this now, but better late then never. I was personally delighted to have attended this year’s glorious event. Last year we had just moved to Frankfurt and were unable to attend, but I’m so glad we did this year.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Museumsuferfest it’s where all the museums in Frankfurt open their doors to you(for a very cheap price I may add) along with a big festival with music, food and stalls full of lovely things for sale. I highly recommend planning your weekend wisely as I don’t think you could physically fit everything in. With all the museums, bands, afterparties and other events coinciding with the fest, it’s just too much to squeeze in everything. Let’s just say you won’t be lacking in things to see!
So what did I get up to that weekend? I started the weekend by meeting friends for a coffee at the Liebighaus. It was a beautiful afternoon. We sat outside in the Liebighaus Courtyard and a coffee and a nice chat. After having a lovely coffee we had a stroll through all the stalls to see what was on offer. Businesses from all over Frankfurt and beyond showcased their product. It also gave me a chance to pick up tickets for the weekend.
Saturday my husband and I visited the Stadel Museum and the Deutches Architekturmuseum along with checking out some of the live music stages. I found myself rocking out to some German hip hop, dancing the tango in the Latino tent and raving to techno beats at the Barrioeu stage til the early hours. The El Barrio nightclub area was hands down my favourite. Situated in the courtyard of the Museum Angewandtekunst, there you could find three stages; the live music stage, the electro stage and the club stage. We had the pleasure of seeing Shantel and Ata on Saturday night inside the Angewandtekunst.
Sunday we decided to take our daughter with us for a family day out at the fest. We met up with some friends there and hit up the Journal Stage for some live music and then wandered over to El Barrio for some more live music. We were super impressed with the sounds of Blue Lab Beats. Afterwards we nipped into the Museum Angewandtekunst (see my write up about the exhibitions here) to have a quick look around as we had never made it into the actual gallery for some art.
The whole weekend vibe was fun and friendly. It was truly a wonderful experience and I can only urge you to get yourself and your family there next year! Tickets are only €12 for the whole weekend! Super cheap family fun! The food was great, the music was rocking and the exhibitions superb!
Frankfurt you sure know how to throw a party!
Indian Goods Company
Indian Goods Company is more than just a business – it’s a feeling, it’s warmth and hospitality and of course it’s beautiful things. Ultimately it’s exquisite handmade objects for everyday living curated with love and care! If you meet Vatsala then you will absolutely understand what I mean. Her smile draws you in and her charm keeps you there. Notably on the day we meet for the photo shoot, a tiny ball of fluff greets us at the door and clumsily tumbles across our naked feet. Mizu is a three week old tiny rescue kitten who had been abandoned by its mother when Vatsala adopted her on a trip to France. As a result of this tiny distraction, the glorious aroma wafting from the kitchen was secondary in catching our attention. Of course, in her humble words she simply threw something together, what appeared was a courgette quiche worthy to be photographed (and so we did). Vatsala also has an amazing eye for interiors and this is showcased through out her beautifully curated home and store. She puts the same warmth, kindness and attention into her business as the people she meets. Creating a cliche of India is something so often done in the West and it’s this very cliche that drives her on, the need to showcase her homeland the way she knows it. Showcasing the diversity, the ingenuity, the evolution and the amalgamation of where the old world and new contemporary one meet. With this in mind she hopes to empower young designers and support small businesses whom she believes are trying to do their bit whilst earning a honest living. As a result, the supply chain and source of materials and production are paramount to the values that Indian Goods Company stands for. You will not find mass produced products that lack heart. Instead, they limit themselves to small batches with one of a kind often being their speciality. Fashion, food and skincare. Firstly, the fashion aspect focuses on hand-spun, eco-friendly fibres like cotton and silk. You’ll of course find block prints and bright colours but she does not limit herself to this. Light airy pieces that are vital for surviving the Indian heat. It may surprise you, but the North of India is not immune to very cold winters, the beautiful scarves sourced from Jaipur are an absolute must! Secondly, the small food section is dominated by chocolate! What’s not to love?? Finally, the skincare. In today’s world our beauty products are so littered with chemicals and things that shouldn’t be on our shelves never mind our skins! Indian Goods stocks a range of natural products with an Ayurvedic twist. Ayurveda, is an ancient holistic healing system given to the world by the Indian subcontinent. Nothing quite like an Ayurvedic Retreat in India!! Read our interview with Vatsala here. Mer Store Wednesday – Friday, 12pm – 8pm
Handmade objects for everyday living
‘Made by people, not factories’
What to expect
Address:
Jahnstrasse 60—62
60322 Frankfurt am MainHours:
Saturday, 11am – 6pm
Monday, Tuesday, Sunday, ClosedAdditional Info: website | instagram | facebook
Spotlight: Indian Goods Company
Oh how I love a new Spotlight! And this month’s spotlight is super special. What a joy and privilege it is to chat with the very talented Vatsala Murthy, owner of Indian Goods Company.
Janice and I found Vatsala through none other than the famous Instagram. We were looking for like-minded individuals to meet and write about and we stumbled across Indian Goods Company. Of course we reached out to Vatsala and she very kindly responded. We were thrilled! Our initial conversations were through social media, we did not meet until we popped in to the opening of Mer. Mer is a pop up concept store showcasing Eberhardt Objects, Airbag Craftworks and Indian Goods Company. We finally met in person that evening, and the rest as they say is history.
Indian Goods Company is an online concept store specialising in cutting-edge, functional and beautiful clothing, home interiors and gifts designed and handcrafted in India. (Read our write-up about Indian Goods Company here). Vatsala was frustrated by India’s clichéd representation in Europe and decided it was time to showcase India’s dynamic and creative side through up and coming Indian designers. Vatsala has curated her online boutique and her pop-up at Mer to perfection, representing India’s finest in a cool, modern and artist way.
Enjoy our chit chat with Vatsala below.
Tell us about yourself. What is your background?
I grew up in India, and my family moved between a few different cities until I was 18. All through my childhood, reading, designing and making things were what interested me most. I finished school after two gruelling years that included nothing more than studying—at school, at home and at after-school coaching classes. Learning things like algebra, physics and chemistry, things that I didn’t really care about. A multiple choice questionnaire identified a creative career as being ideal for me and that led to my enrolling at a tiny college to study Advertising and Graphic Design.
As a result I worked at a start-up design studio for a year. Following that I applied to study in the UK to finish my Bachelor in Arts. Just before being accepted, I met my future partner, a German student who was working as an intern in Bangalore, where I was living at the time. We decided to give things a go, and after two years of back and forth between London and Germany, I moved here to be closer to him. Thirteen years later, I’m still here, some changes and upheavals notwithstanding. And I still work as a designer!
When did you start Indian Goods Company?
The idea for a platform showcasing interesting Indian design was something I carried around in my head for a long time. I’m sure I bored all my friends with my endless goings-on about the whys and hows. Finally in mid-2014 I started doing my research in earnest, contacting designers and asking if they’d like to stock at my to-be-launched store. After starts, stops and hiccups, I finally celebrated the opening party in June 2016.
How did the idea come about for Indian Goods?
India is a series of cliches for most people, be it regarding food, design or aesthetics. I wanted to present my perspective: how multi-faceted India is, the energy and creativity that are so much a part of everyday life there. I was looking to explore the junctions between tradition, heritage, form and function and was so excited to discover there were other designers doing the same thing. Consequently I started reaching out to them, explaining my concept and that’s how things got started.
What is your concept behind the brand?
I read somewhere that the way we live our days is the way we live our life. That encapsulates my personal philosophy quite neatly. I believe everyday moments should be lived well, and enjoyed to their fullest. There’s nothing wrong with landmarks and anniversaries, but they aren’t the only things to celebrate. Wednesday morning is a perfectly good time to make some pancakes, if that’s your favourite breakfast. It’s this philosophy that I’ve tried to bring to my brand. To curate beautiful objects that are thoughtful and well-made, that bring joy to your life and become a part of your everyday. My selection values quality over quantity and emphasises joy and making you feel special. What’s also important is bringing positivity and acknowledgement to the artisans making these objects, to allow the story behind each to be heard.
What do you look for when looking for new designers for your site?
I’m in awe of people that start their own businesses, especially creative ventures. What makes me look a second time is passion and the fearlessness to be original. Passion makes you do things others don’t or cant, it brings that extra level of detail and always gives me goosebumps. I’m also very impressed by the desire to bring positive social change and to make a difference. This sounds cliched, but doing business ethically is hard and exhausting work. It does, however, make such a huge difference! Not only to consumers and producers but most importantly our shared world.
How would you describe your style?
I’d describe my style as eclectic, form-driven and minimal, both at home and my sense of fashion. I like keeping things easy, but with a twist—be it through colour, texture or form. I like collecting bits and pieces, especially when I travel. To clarify, I’m not the minimalist with only 10 pieces of clothing and 5 books. I like having things, but also really value clean, tidy spaces. A half-empty, well-organised cupboard makes me so much happier than one stuffed to the brim bursting with beautiful clothes ever could!
Who are your favourite designers at the moment?
Frankfurt has some great designers! Viola Beuscher for ceramics, Early and Tsatsas for leatherwear. I recently discovered clothing brand self-portrait and love their pieces. NorBlackNorWhite is another fashion brand I really like. Frama Studio and Hem are favourites for furniture and lighting. Finally, Michael Anastassiades is my all-time favourite lighting designer.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would this be? Why?
If it could be anyone at all, it would be the British designer Ilse Crawford. I enormously admire her talent and her vision for design. I admire how she puts function first yet lays so much emphasis on form, material and wellbeing. I love everything she’s done and the principals she believes in. Things she’s been talking about since the 1990s are now suddenly all so “trendy”. She believes in holistic living that puts wellbeing first and knowing who you are. All principals that are dear to my heart.
What do you love about Frankfurt?
It took me a long time to fall in love with Frankfurt. It was the language barrier, the fact that I had almost no friends here. It seemed full of consultants, bankers and after-work parties in strange basement bars filled with the aforementioned people (just kidding!) I have nothing against either consultants or bankers 🙂 But we were lucky enough to get to know a couple of people that started introducing us to really interesting locations, cafes and restaurants. Things slowly got better. It was no London, Berlin or Bangalore—but the compactness of the city is ironically what makes it dear to my heart. It feels like everyone knows everyone, people are quite laid-back and you hear about 30 different languages when you take public transport—Hindi included!
What is your favourite place in Frankfurt?
This is difficult! I’ve had so many favourite places over the years, which is a reflection of what’s been important to me at a certain time. At the moment, given the bustle of the week, our balcony is one of my favourite places! Sitting outside with some music, maybe a glass of wine and winding down surrounded by our (too many!) plants, so many of which we grew from seed this year. It is something I really look forward to, especially now when the weather’s so beautiful. It’s a treat to have in this city and something I’m grateful for everyday.
What do you wish Frankfurt had? What is missing in Frankfurt?
I wish it had better Indian food! Things are much better than they were even 3 or 4 years ago, but the level’s still very low and the selection extremely restricted. It would be so lovely to have a few more interesting restaurants and cafes—these are spaces that become cultural institutions in themselves, where like-minded people gather. So I guess what I’m also missing is more of a connection to a like-minded Indian culture, which is something I have to work on! Events like the Indian Film Festival are a great way for me to re-connect and I’d love to have more of these here…
Any tips or advice for newcomers to Frankfurt?
As with any city, a sense of the familiar is what will make Frankfurt seem more like home. Don’t be shy about making friends and getting people together—Germans tend to be more reserved than many other cultures, so don’t take this personally. Summer is a wonderful time to meet people, and there’s much happening—join a few classes, start finding your favourite cafe and hangout places and just be your lovely self! One thing I can suggest for moments when you’re feeling alone or down is to put on a great outfit and just get out, even if it’s only for a walk in one of the lovely parks or by the river. And please don’t forget to stop by our temporary store and say hi!
Additional Info: website | instagram | facebook