Uncommon Goods - Larry & the Lightbox

A happy September to you all!

A clean home is a happy home, but a mish mash of dog fuzz and travel trinkets make up the majority of our home decor. 

Sometimes I like to look at our shelves through the eyes of other people and wonder what they think of us…better not to dwell on those thoughts!

It was much to my excitement when the folks over at UncommonGoods in Brooklyn let me know they think what we’ve got going on is pretty eclectic. SO -  imagine just how high my energy was when they asked me to check out some products from their home decor offerings. 

*Cue screams of glee*

Moi?

UncommonGoods for me is one of those companies whose products I pin on any and every inspo board without hesitation. They are everything. And they have a commitment to meet certain standards regarding environmental impacts to boot; the sustainability side of me turns all heart-eyes emoji knowing this. 

Along with being everything, they also have everything. Honestly, just click and don't look back. Don’t say I didn’t warn you when your wallet is empty (but your apartment full and full). Sorry and you’re welcome in advance. 

Obviously though, knowing what you now know about us, we tried to combine a little practicality with a lot of fun. And extra Hobson attention…

So. Onto it. 

Puppy not available online (he's allllllll mine!)- click here for even more. 

I have wanted one of these forEVER and was so so so excited to pull this cinema-style lightbox out and play with it. We’re constantly looking for more lighting options in our living room, especially as these Belgian nights start to get darker. My goal is to try and go for a lyric-themed lightbox, and I’m going to keep this Beatles track running as long as possible - unless it’s PJ’s turn, he’s awful at lyrics (at least I know he’s human and has flaws, right?). 

We've seriously had so much fun that he's become just as obsessed with perusing all of the other pieces that our place needs,

And as you can tell, Hobson may be a little dog, but he's a big fan of getting his photo taken.

Speaking of little dogs…

In an effort to clean up our space, we’ve gotten rid of so much…stuff recently. Including our old doormat. But the world is dirty and that ish is necessary, especially after our late night walks with the tiny fuzz seen above. I knew, I just knew, that as soon as I saw Larry that we had to have him. Include the fact that we call Hobson ‘Little Llama” and how they're tail twins, and I was done for. 

You can find Larry here, or find some softer, more skin-friendly pieces here.

I mean. And these are the faces that that I say goodbye to every morning and that greet me when I get home at night. 

I'm so, so pleased with these two pieces. As fun as they are, they're also really functional - though I did have to emphasize the light in lightbox when explaining to PJ why it needed to be in our place as soon as possible. 

Obviously, I was right. And our apartment thanks me every evening.

You're welcome!

xox,
Suz

(This post is sponsored by UncommonGoods but all opinions expressed are my own.)

You're not lost - you're here.

The last few weeks have not been easy, and I'm sure that I'm not the only one feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders. 

It's not that I have such major problems, but I'm trying to find balance in my life and it's been really hard lately, but I am trying to turn it around, however I can.

When I went to get my haircut this weekend at Coupe Maison (haircuts & drinks in one? My fav.), I passed under this sign and it seemed like a pretty good omen - things will get better eventually, but I have to actively realise it too. 

This weekend really helped - some friends and I (from here and from Germany) walked around town, talked, watched basketball and made food together a few different times. It was a great way to slow things down and just have some fun. And the basketball team won, which was great to see!

Then we made a huge spread of sushi and laughed, and laughed, and laughed. 

The perfect end to a great weekend - brioche in the over and a sleepy puppy on the couch. 

Hopefully the Monday blues don't get you down tomorrow.

xox,

Suz

Sundaze in the park

S Mug sold out (but I love this one and this one)  // Bulldog Owl Shirt

I need a vacation.

And that's saying something since we practically finished winter holidays yesterday. Which, duh, is an exaggeration, but having your whole family in town can be the most fun though thoroughly exhausting exercise known to man.

Thus - I take my weekends extremely seriously, especially Sundays. When I first moved to Belgium I was actually mad that things weren't open on the day that I like to do my necessary business. You know - buying the essentials, hauling a massive amount of groceries and stalking all of my favourite high street stores like I hadn't been in them the day before...

But my Sundays now consist of sleeping in, pancakes, puppy walks in beautiful country side and the occasional workout *like* this past weekend's 15 minute barre class that has left me in pain for hours.

Luckily, I have a little sleeping Hobson next to me warming me up, and mugs on mugs of rooibos tea in just one of my delightful mugs. One of many. I might have a problem.

My other problem will be waking up tomorrow at 7am for work, but hey. At least I have my mugs, right?

And a spooning, farting dog. C'est la vie.

xox,

Suz

Lovely Letters with Dear Friends

It has actually been over two months since I last wrote on here. I thought my friends were making it up when they said work exhausts you - I'd always had really fun internships that gave me a boost, even when I left work.

But this time it's...different. It's way more serious. It's fun - but it's challenging. And I come home and hang out with my puppy and then basically want to go to bed.

I was really excited when I was able to participate in the Lovely Letters blogger exchange, and I had such a nice partner in Taylor from Dear Friends - she sent me the sweetest things that I love using in the office when I want to make things a little prettier.

I love it ALL - the S stamp is so much fun, and i have so many different coloured stamp pads. As soon as our kitchen is redone, those flower clips will be hanging up all of my pictures (of my pup, TBH).

And Taylor, your use of washi tape in packaging and letter decor? On point.

There's something so amazing about getting paper mail, and packages are def my favourite to receive. I left some jeans at a friends place in Sweden and getting them in the mail was amazing, even though I knew they were coming...

Unfortunately it seems that Lovely Letters is over for the time being, but I hope that a snail mail exchange happens again soon!

xox,

Suz

Weekend in Paris

SO. Last weekend we went to Paris for PJ's birthday. We're both fortunate enough to live in a place that gets us there in 1 hour by train, and extremely lucky to not have this be our first trip to Paris. 

But I think I've really taken for granted the times I've been before, and I really appreciated how lucky I am to be able to visit such a beautiful city (and eat such. incredible. food). 

Thank the stars for booking websites because we stayed in the cutest area, right next to Les Folies de Bergere, just a 10 minute walk from both the Opera and Galeries Lafayette (which we obviously took advantage of...)

My favourite part of the weekend, beside spending some quality time with PJ and the amazing views, was the little games we played. Like finding the best little cafe for lunch (even when I thought I was going ot implode from lack of foodthank goodness Peej thinks my grumbling is 'cute').

Or our new favourite €10 challenge: we went to the top floor of Galeries Lafayette and tried to find the funniest/goofiest/most us thing for under the set amount. We came up with coasters, a magnet with the little prince and sheep, a fuzzy cat pen, and I had to get PJ a Godzilla card (monsters are a weird obsession of mine...)

But past all the oven-baked camembert, red wide and (crazy-good) Italian pizzas and cheesecake, we just explored. PJ took me all over the Marais, his favourite area, and I made him take a ride on les Bateaux Mouches, which he'd never done! Instead of fretting over what we had to do, we just did what we wanted. Which thankfully involved popping into Sephora and doing as much as possible to find some kicks for Peej.

I hope you enjoy my snaps as much as I enjoyed my trip!

THIS is my new favourite necklace. I love it so much and have been wearing it everyday since I got it - it reminds me of my favourite phrase: "Wander & Wonder"

This weekend was so much fun and we had such an amazing time going vintage shopping, looking for new places and visiting museums!

We ended up seeing the techno parade, which was amazing, and realised that my boyfriend has a better eye for vintage designer duds than I do. Outside of a cafe, he pointed to a shop window and pointed out the most amazing vintage LV travel trunks and I went in and really almost bought some green suede peep-toe Louboutins, but I had to control myself since they were wayyyyyy out of my budget. But I digress...

I can't wait to the next time we go back. I will officially save up for at least one vintage buy. Bahhhh!

If you have any tips for places to visit, let me know <3

xox,

Suz

Forever 21 // Autumn Picks

So I think we're all pretty aware that Forever 21 has some pretty big plans for their future and is really stepping it up in terms of style geared towards...well...people my age, aka the millenials of the world.

And recently, a lot of *ahem* high rollers have been seen wearing those very same shirts we can shop!

But I've gotta say, I've loved the brand since I first started buying chains upon chains of cheap jewels there back in my teens. Most of my most beloved, bright pieces come from the fast fashion giant, and I am in no way ashamed of my love for them, and it just makes me really excited that they're going to get the recognition they deserve for being a company that can churn out affordable, great pieces ( as long as you take care of them), and has awesome brand partnerships.

(And, I can only hope that these positives will also turn into more high quality pieces, use better metals in jewelry and safer working conditions in factories across the world.)

Today I'm showing you some of my recent favourite pieces for fall that I can't wait to get my hands on :D

They're a little more subdued and a touch more 'professional', if you will, than what I usually wear, but I. Love. It. 

 

high socks // shirt dress // faux suede heels //

overcoat // keyhole top // cutout shift // 

crescent pendant // crochet dress // tooth necklace // 

I'm in this crazy "must-get-work-clothes" mindset even though my office is ultra casual (I'm mostly in jeans, occasionally with my dog in my lap), and I'm really digging the preppy/varsity/laid back but boss-lady vibes a lot of the pieces are giving me.

I'm especially impressed with the contemporary line, and that high-neck crochet dress has me catching my breath, and with those silver jewels and a big floppy hat?

Send me to boho heaven! I could die happy. Though not before wearing those clothes. 

Here's to the beginning of autumn and a whole new way to wear our clothes!

xox,

Suz

Snail Mail

A few weeks ago, I found the CUTEST snail mail set in Hema , and went back this past weekend to see if I could find more to send to my friends all over the world. I may have also picked up some sticker and decoration packets along with some more stationary...I have a problem. 

And, you know, there's something about opening your mailbox and pulling out a letter that doesn't tell you how much money you now owe that is so exhilarating. I started writing postcards and letters to my friends last year in Sweden when I was a bit down in the dumps, and have tried to keep up the tradition since I moved to Belgium. 

So I sent one of these adorable cards to my papa for his birthday/fathers day, along with the included stickers and tags that you can tie onto the car, and he just adored it (daughter of the year award, heyo!). Considering the almost infinitesimal price, my bank account isn't angry with me, and I hope my loved ones will be quite happily surprised!

We're heading off to Germany tomorrow to go to Melt! Festival and then spend four days in Berlin, so PJ's mama packed us with a few surprises to make sure we don't reek of sweaty festival campers and don't look like lobsters crawling through Germany. 

To Ferropolis we go! My excitement over seeing Kylie Minogue is beating my anxiety about sleeping among the spiders...

Till next time, auf Wiedersehen!

xox,

Suz

Suz & the Travel Jewelry

I've only been upgraded to first class twice in my life. The first time, my family was moving to the US from South Africa. The second was my initial trip to Belgium to see my now-boyfriend's country for the first time.

That first upgrade was a bit of sympathy on the airlines part. The second I believe was fate. But it may have helped that I really dressed up for that trip, knowing that I would be seeing PJ at the airport without a shower or a brush in almost a day. 

I read an article really recently that airlines are more likely to give seat upgrades to people that are priority, polite and dress well. I'm always a jeans and shirt kind of girl on planes, but this last trip I took, when flying to Belgium for the final time, I stepped it up a notch with a few of my favourite jewels to give that "Why yes, I am an adult woman" vibe to my outfit. 

I had a little too much fun taking this picture on the train...so much so that the guy next to me was laughing. No shame!

Skip Maisel Turquoise earrings // Wanderlust + Co Tri-Arrow gold Necklace // Mango Crystal Slim Necklace //  Citizen watch (vintage) // Mango Bracelet // Vintage Ring // OPI Privacy Please polish

I know there's sometimes a hassle when wearing jewelry to travel in; it gets caught in your hair, you have to take it off at security, the usual annoyances. But the only thing I had to remove was my watch, and it all made me feel quite fancy while I spritzed Guerlain Flora Rosa perfume on my wrists and slathered the Crème de la Mer samples all over my now unemployed-but-job-hunting face. 

I'm always so interested in what people wear to the airport (and I will always laugh at people wearing hiking boots when there will be no hiking or camping involved, sorry). What do you prefer to wear? Leggings and a hoodie or do you go all out, business woman style?

Let a girl know! 

Now, applications. But first: coffee and snuggles with my little nuggety puppy!

xox, 

Suz