hochzeit in der schweiz

When we knew we were headed to Europe for the wedding of one of Stefan's closest friends (coming up next weekend), we decided to spend a whole week, also taking time to celebrate our nuptials with all of the friends and family who can't make the trip over to the States in just a few weeks.

This past Saturday was that celebration.

While Stefan and I were desperately jet-lagged from our trip over dying to sleep until noon, we were both up early to help in prepping Stefan's mom's house for the festivities.  I showed my skills at pool cleaning as Stefan helped blow up balloons.

Stefan's family went to quite some trouble to bring us all sorts of important Swiss wedding traditions:

Copious amounts of food,

almost all of which included some form of cheese

A wedding "newspaper" for everyone in attendance

which included a page of warm wishes from each guest,

traditional swiss recipes for us to cook for each other,

and a "truth about stefan" and "truth about kk" page

where we both answered questions to see how well

we knew each other (short answer: very well)

 

Some lovely toasts, complete with a clock that ticks backwards

(oh how I wish!)

Some exceptional presents from some exceptional guests

 

This one:

FIVE jars of Aromat

(my FAVORITE only-found-in-Switzerland spice

that you can put on anything to make it beyond delicious)

wrapped with Swiss Francs

 

Hugos (the most delicious Swiss summery cocktail you ever did taste)

pool-side

Not to mention juicy sausages off the grill, a homemade wedding cake, some luscious Austrian wine, and lots of fun conversations (with my broken, nicht-so-gut Deutsche). 

I'd love to tell you more but I've got German homework to do.  (Oh yes, that's right: After our weekend of fun, Stefan jetted off to London for some work meetings while I stay here with his mom taking intensive German classes in downtown Zurich - more on that tomorrow.)

xoxo

KK

greetings from switzerland!

After a solid day of flying, I made it to the land of chocolate and cheese Friday evening.  Since Stefan had to be in New York for work last week (and it didn’t make sense for him to fly back to SF and then back to Europe), we flew over separately – him arriving in the morning and then coming to pick me up at the airport that night.  While I’ve flown alone overseas countless times to places much more exotic than Europe, this trip felt unusually fresh, exciting, and full of anticipation, much like my first trip over.

Before I met Stefan, I had never been to Switzerland before.  We’d been dating for a little more than two weeks when we decided we’d spend the summer (both of us in between jobs) traveling together: first to Venezuela to take Spanish lessons and learn how to kite surf, and then to Switzerland to meet Stefan’s family, help him find and move into a new apartment in Geneva and start his new job.

Your everyday hike in die Schweiz

You’d think that we would have flown together on that trip, but alas not.  Stefan has a strong affinity for flying Swiss Air (direct of course) while I prefer to penny-pinch whenever possible even if it means two extra-long layovers and a middle seat.  The entire flight was filled with eagerness and excitement and a whole lot of nervousness – to see Stefan again, to meet his family, to see where he grew up, to understand his culture – the whole shi-bang. 

A typical Swiss dinner with his mom on Trip #1

When Stefan and I did the San Francisco-Geneva long distance thing for a good 10 months, my trips over held a similar charge.  It had always been a few weeks since we’d seen each other last, the time change and flight time always gave a sense of timeliness – being totally present yet completely lost at the exact same time, and Switzerland casts its own magical spell with its spectacularly scenic and pristine countryside and impeccably dressed and polite citizens.  My flights over were an event in and of themselves, always giving me that same spell-binding feeling I got on my first trip over.

I know that with enough of these trips, however, much like playing a favorite song over and over, their thrilling dreamlike nature will weaken.  But again like that song, they will always hold a special place for me – full of memories of some of my happiest times.

thrifty thursday: avocado toast

With Stefan still settling into the new job he just started at the beginning of July, the two of us haven't quite gotten into the rhythm of a nightly routine.  Rather than plan for each week's meals ahead of time, we've been playing it by ear - making a decision after we've both arrived home and are half starving from our days.


Last week, we were too lazy to venture out to the store for ingredients, but didn't feel like wasting time with eating out, so instead we peaked into our pantry for those things about to go bad.

Chief among them were a pair of avocados and a crusty baguette: the perfect combination for a delightfully simple and incredibly cheap weekday meal.


Simply slice bread into manageable chunks and toast in the oven.

My attempt at an arty, off-center photo which shows off my 

German learning persistence and a beautiful new wedding present

Then take your extra ripe avocados, chop them up guac-style, and season with salt, pepper, and paprika - an essential spice around these parts.

Once your toasts are golden brown, spread them with your creamy creation:

Don't be fooled: while simple, this meal hits all your basics: protein, healthy fat, carbs, deliciousness.  


What's your go-to, easy-as-pie weekday dinner?


xoxo
KK

videographer war

Planning a wedding sans planner has had its ups and downs.  We've had our fair share of wedding checklist deadlines missed, details forgotten, and mistakes made, but overall, it's been an awesome learning experience and we've loved every second.

Not too long ago, we decided we'd like to look into getting a videographer.

At the start of this whole process, I became enamored with the idea after seeing gloriously romantic films like: 

THIS

and

THIS

and

THIS

But with so many things we wanted to do, this one fell to the bottom of the pile.  As we began to solidify our pretty untraditional, and perhaps a bit odd, ceremony over the past few weeks, however, we decided we really wanted someone there to document the event.

So not wanting to ask a family member nor break the bank with a full-out professional crew, I went onto Craigslist to scoop out some options.  I emailed a bunch of freelance videographers on a Tuesday (the Tuesday before fourth of July mind you) to collect some quotes planning to evaluate my options that Friday.

On Thursday (two days later, one of which was a holiday), however, I got the following email from one of those I contacted:

I emailed you a reply. 

Is there a reason why at least you do not reply? 

Totally impolite!  Hope you have a bad day on your wedding!

(In exactly that color, in five times that size.)

I was shocked and perturbed and felt compelled to reply:

I am sorry that I have not responded.  I was celebrating the fourth of July holiday yesterday and was planning to get back to you on Friday.  Given your email, however, I will let you know now that we will not be working with you.  Thanks.

Immediately, he responds:

Pure BS.   "Given your email" ????   You never really intended to reply. 

You are full of BS and you know it. 

Hope it is a disaster.

You are impolite and full of BS and you know it.

And then two minutes later:

and I will pass around your info to other videographers so they know who they will be dealing.

I should have just left it there, but I couldn't help myself.  (As Stefan knows, I really like having the last word.)

You are completely unprofessional.

And then him again:

Save that comment to yourself.  You are the one who is not just unprofessional but full of BS and impolite. 

And this is what I call an all out war.

I can't make this stuff up. 

So there you have it folks - if shit hits the fan come August 5th, we'll know it was result of this particular videographer's evil spell, cast upon me for being a tad bit lazy in my email response time.  My apologies. 

xoxo

KK 

San Francisco summer

While the entire nation is sweating their booties off with record-level heat waves, we're bundling up in vests, mittens, and ear muffs around these parts.  While June was unseasonably sunny and warm, we're definitely settling into summer here.

I'm sure you know the famous Mark Twain quote ("the coldest winter I ever spent was summer in San Francisco"), but it's not that San Francisco summers are just plain cold (although they are often), it's that they're unpredictable, irrational, and fickle.  One minute it will be gloriously sunny and beautiful and then the next you're scrambling inside to protect yourself from wind burn.  Or perhaps the morning starts off frosted with fog so thick you can't read the street signs, but then by 10am you're slathering on sunscreen to avoid an unsavory bake.

Today happens to be the latter.

My run across the Golden Gate at 6am this morning:

Right before heading into work around 9am:  

She cleans up well.

So for any of you planning a trip out here in the coming weeks: be prepared for anything.  Don't be one of those tourists forced to buy a hideous, overpriced San Francisco sweatshirt when you're desperate for warmth.

xoxo

KK

too small to succeed?

I'm sure you've heard the terrible news.  I've been softly weeping when alone for several weeks now.


Oh you don't know exactly what I am referring to?
My favorite, neighborhood bakery, La Boulange, was bought by The Coffee Behemoth.  Don't get me wrong - I love me some Starbucks - but La Boulange was so pure, so innocent, so young and naive before he snatched her up.  Oh how I enjoyed her sweet Chais, her almond crossiants, her melt-in-your-mouth macaroons.  
I will seriously mourn if she becomes the next Au Bon Pain.  

If I were owner of such a charming chain, would I be able to resist that $100 million offer?  I think I, too, would sell my sweet sugar brioche's soul for that price tag.  Is any simple, yet precious store doomed to being snatched up by some big powerhouse as a product of its own success?  Is it possible for a small business to stay small and yet be triumphant, fruitful, extraordinary?


Just as my weeping began to get seriously concerning, Stefan arrived home from Switzerland with my favorite treat: Sprüngli chocolate.  

A box like this one runs you about 50 USD.  

But they are THAT good.  Seriously.

This time, however, he brought along a little something extra in addition to the chocolate - Sprüngli's amazing Luxemburgerli, their signature macaroons.

We had no trouble finishing all 16 ourselves.

But it wasn't just the sugar that lifted my spirits, it was the knowledge that Sprüngli is proof that it IS possible to stay small and independent whilst gaining insane success.  

You may not have heard of Sprüngli, but you've probably heard of Lindt (the master Swiss chocolatiers).  Well it happens that the founders of each were brothers - who at one time worked under the same Sprüngli roof.  While the older brother took off to expand for the masses, creating an industrial operation of chocolate produced and consumed worldwide, the younger brother kept it small and family-owned, focusing on product perfection rather than massive expansion.

1

Today that younger brother's vision remains intact - the Sprüngli storefronts are few, you can't buy it outside of die Schweiz, and much of the world will never taste his creations, but he's had incredible success - being recognized as one of the top chocolate makers in all the world.

1

In addition,  Sprüngli is considered a must-visit landmark in Zurich.  As I learned in my little research for this post, their original, classic chocolate cafe on Paradeplatz is a known to be the go-to spot for the elderly ladies of Zurich's upper class to brush shoulders. Local folklore has it that young men who attend the cafe alone may signal their availability to these well-to-do women by turning over their coffee spoons in their cups.  

2

Perhaps I shouldn't encourage my sexy, soon-to-be husband to bring me back chocolates from their flagship store.  I think the Zurich airport has all the selection I need. 

xoxo
KK

friday favs: head over heels

So you may have remembered me bragging about a little photo shoot a few weeks back.  Well, I am excited to report that the fruits of our (primarily, Melanie's) labor have ripened!  Superstar Melanie Kluger just launched her new bridal styling biz this past weekend.  Her and her rocking website are definitely my favs this Friday. 
(And next Friday, and the next, and oh yes, the next after that.)

She looks like this every day.  No joke.

Every touch of her site is perfection.  Not to mention the unbelievably gorgeous stylings she's put together so far.

I am totally obsessed with the unreal photos the insanely talented Krista Marie snapped of us,

the glorious flowers assembled by Daisy Rose (no seriously, that's this fabulous florist's real name), 
and, of course,
how Melanie styled the entire "quirky formal" bridal shoot.
(I adore her other shoots as well, but "quirky formal" is definitely my fav.  And not just because I got to be the center of attention.  Although I'll admit it, that plays a pretty large part as well.)  

 

I'll give you a sneak peak, but you need to hop on over to Melanie's domain to get the real deal.

While shooting, we randomly spotted an old-school vintage cab.  Melanie - always ready for anything - jumped out and shouted, "we've got a bride!  can we get a picture?"  They oo-ed and aah-ed as we snapped some shots, never mentioning the slew of clips down my backside holding my dress in with perfection.  Melanie leaves no detail overlooked. 

Running down the street with sparkly high heels on was really awkward.  But oh-so fun.

And I was in love with the dress.  Those feathers!  If I hadn't had mine already, it may very well have stolen my heart.  Good thing they're sisters. ;)  That's the only hint you're getting Stefan so you can save your efforts on trying to get it out of me for something else.

No but seriously - head on over to Melanie's site because there are a ton more favs where those came from.  This girl is going places.

Have a fantastic weekend!

xoxo

KK

last-minute mates

I love being crunched for time.  Like literally can't get enough of having way too much to do and having to scramble my head off getting it all done.  Live for it, in fact.  A little messed up?  Yes, I think so.

That was all fine and dandy when I was in high school and college and while working in consulting, but since accepting an actually sane and normal job where you're able to go home by 6pm, I've really struggled.  Somehow doing something when it's not a seemingly impossible feat is just not as fun.

Stefan's the same way - the guy is a powerhouse under pressure.  He had been putting off a little Investment Memo of his for months, but when he had no choice but to do it (in a timeline completely unreasonable by any normal human standards), he cranked out 20+ flawless pages of market commentary, operational overviews, and valuations in five days flat. 

While our similar personalities are perfect when it comes to understanding each other, it's made planning a wedding an interesting feat.

As of one week ago, we had yet to:

• Decide on our ceremony - what it would be, who would do it, etc
• Have my dress fitted (still sitting in a box underneath my desk at work)
• Decide on a first dance
• Pick out Stefan's attire
• Buy wedding bands

And our wedding is exactly one month away.

But the funny thing is: it doesn't worry either of us one bit.  One because we both know we'll end up getting it all done.  And two (and more importantly) because we know that the worst case scenario is that we're not wearing the perfect thing or dancing to the best song or able to get my ring over those insanely large knuckles of mine (you'd have to admit - that would make for some excitement) but we're still married and that's all that really matters.

Speaking of wedding to-dos, we spent our fourth working on a little surprise wedding project.  Get excited.

And then enjoying Stefan's signature steaks and the juiciest, sweetest, most succulent corn-on-the-cob I ever did taste.

How did you spend your fourth?  Catching up on errands or relaxing by the pool?

xoxo
KK