Blog: Photos

Winding Down: My Top Ten Moments of 2014 in Photos

It has become a tradition of mine and other blogger friends to wind down the year with some  Top “insert number”- Lists of work , posts and photos, before the year ends. It makes me go back and look at what I have done and accomplished and it also makes me dwell in memories. Too often we forget about the things we did and accomplished throughout the year- often just bashing ourselves for not fulfilling all the wonderful new year’s resolutions from last year.  Maybe this makes you wanna do it too – if so – share :)

 

2014 was a year I traveled a lot for workshops, I had a couple amazing dear friends over from Europe and I had some really wonderful moments. In no particular order:

1. SNOW

 

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The first 3 times we had snow in 2014 I was totally excited…like a little kid. I know everyone thinks as I am from Germany , that I am used to loads of snow, but I lived in the north of Germany in Hamburg, which rather as the climate of Seattle and not a lot of snow. I do admit though  that by the 4th time as a pedestrian in a city I got a bit fed up with snow – LOL- isn’t the grass always greener on the other side ? ;)

2. Strolls through the hood with friends

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HA – another snow pictures – lol. But actually it stands for the wonderful moments I had with my friends that came over from Europe and were excited to stroll through my new neighborhood even though the City of Cities was so close by. I loved every minute with them- living in a different country makes you miss your friends a lot – I am very thankful for being able to stay in touch with my friends and see them, because I know that this is not the norm for many people that move to a new country.

3. Hikes and Walks 

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I took this photo on a hike in Hong Kong. It was a wonderful little hike I took with my husband and we stumbled across these mating butterflies. We both worked a lot this year and had many projects that kept us more busy than usual – I am happy about the moments we had just to ourselves enjoying the beauty of nature – and I hope we will be able to create some more moments in 2015 :)

4. Temple Hong Kong, China

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In the middle of a bustling city was this old temple – and oasis of calmness and beauty. It felt like being away from everything and I loved taking it in for a moment.

5. Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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This was just an breathtaking sight – several Indian Temples in a cave which you get to by walking past this huge statue, up a lot of stairs …touched by cute looking but nasty monkeys.

6. Meeting Penny and Val and their Mom

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When I was invited by Val and Penny to teach in Malaysia, a lot of people were concerned that I would travel there, especially as just a couple days before the flight, the first Malaysian Airline airplane vanished. The news as always had a very special way in portraying country and people and had many people prejudiced. I am so glad I went. Penny, Val and their Mom hosted me and my husband in the most amazing way ever. I learned so much about this country, I ate the best food of my life at places I would have probably not have set my foot in if by myself (tehehehe) and I was reminded once again, that you need to open your heart and mind in order to get back a million more times. I hope some day I can have Penny and Val come and visit us and I hope they will enjoy the same hospitality in the country I live as I did in their country.

7. Studio and Outside Time

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2014 I spent a lot of time in my studio and also some time outside on the deck in between. I do love the ability to get out on our deck from my studio and I love to step out and just sit there for a couple minutes, to take a break from working on my desk or on a painting.

 

8. Laughing like crazy

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This photo , which is also going into  my “worst photos ever” category, stands for the awesome times I had with my friends where I almost peed my pants because I was laughing so hard. This Photos was a meager attempt of taking a selfie of Jenn, Julie, Birgit, me and the Statue of Liberty …as you can see…it was just an attempt …what a great carefree fun time we had.

9. At ease with myself

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This photo taken by the amazing Sara Stadtmiller, is one of the few photos of myself that I really like. I often doubt myself and the day when Liquitex was so awesome to send a video crew and Sara to photograph I unfortunately felt very uneasy and very aware of myself. Sara had a wonderful way to make me feel calm and enjoy this day and when I look at this photo, I am reminded that at the moments I am creating, I am happy and I just don’t care about anything else around me.

10. Relax

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Throughout this year I forgot how to relax …the more I enjoyed the past couple weeks several evenings with my loved ones in front of the fireplace -just watching the fire, reading, talking, watching schtuff, wrapping gifts and having a nice relaxed time.

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2014 was pretty amazing, but balancing every aspect of my life has been hard at times. Every time something works well in one place I feel I fail in many other places. For 2015 I wish for more relaxing time, more time with family and friends, and that I take some things lighter or more lightly.

What do you wish for for 2015 for yourself?

 

 

 

Comments (3)

  • Rebecca Buchanan

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    Nathalie, this post really touched me. I am much older than you, but you inspire me very much. Here you share your memories with us in such an open and honest way. I love your imperfect selfie–the laughter and love shine through anyway. Your story about Val, Penny, their mother and their hospitality is heartwarming. Thank you for sharing about self-doubt–that certainly resonates with so many of us. Yes, I could count on one hand the number of photos of myself that I actually like. And yet you are courageous enough to ‘keep on keeping on’ and we are all the better for it. The word courage comes from the latin word for ‘heart’. You certainly have a lot of heart. Thank you for sharing–Cheers to 2015!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    The photos are wonderful and what a year you’ve had. Lots of travel and creativity Nat. I wish for a paying job now that my son is 12 years old and settled in middle school. I also hope to create on a more regular basis as it centers me. The mating butterflies is such a unique photo. Happy New Year!

    Reply

  • Seth

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    What wonderful memories Natalie of the past year. Thanks for sharing this and allowing us to join you for such special experiences.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Stroll Through The Hood

NathalieKalbach_Strollhood_Logo

 

A lot of times I get asked what inspires me. And one of my key answers is always “a stroll through the hood”. It might be street art, it might be thoughts or feelings connected with certain sights, it might be stuff I find to buy…in one way or the other you might find the photos, the thoughts, the feelings, the colors or anything from those strolls in my art journal, a mixed media project or a scrapbooking layout.

I would love to show you once a month what inspired me while strolling through my neighborhood. I hope you like the little insights into my daily life where I live . This is also a wonderful way for me to remind myself on the inspiring things in the hood. Maybe you get inspired by those posts and even invite ME to a stroll in YOUR hood – feel free to grab the logo and leave a comment for me on the post and share!

It has been a while since I did this….why? Because of this:

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and this

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perfect days to stay inside and work in the studio…or travel (NOT!) but sometimes it looked like this:

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and then I bit the bullet and bundled up to go outside ;)

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It was COLD- but I was rewarded with fun stuff like this

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Who could have PERDICTED? And then with a friend visiting you – it is even more fun to stroll through the hood :)

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Especially when said friends likes the same grungy stuff as I do …btw- I do love the background to this- it already inspired me to something :)

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And since they are big here on Security cameras…this is a good advice me thinks :) :) :)

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I do love this building- It will be in one of my canvases some time- I am sure.

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And a little view over to Manhattan…YES…we are the Sixth Borough…so there Hoboken…don’t even try to claim this…LOL (I figured a bit of local patriotism doesn’t hurt ;) )

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And an insane walk through snow and ice and wind chills in Liberty State Park rewards you with this view…

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I mean…all in all it is all about

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And as for Spring…well…gotta make your own spring at home I guess ;)

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Hope you had fun strolling through my hood – until next time…in J.C. :)

Nat

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Comments (11)

  • Jan B

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    Hey! You can come stroll through my neighbor in PA anytime! I’m so excited to see you tomorrow, by the way! As I lay here in bed in the Jane Hotel (talk about eye candy – oh my gosh!), I can see your ‘hood right across the Hudson! Love seeing your strolls…

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      it was so good to see you again Jan! Thank you for coming <3

      Reply

  • Mary K. Parker

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    Thank you do much for the pictures and narrative of your stroll thru the hood. I don’t do much mixed media anymore but loved it at Art Venture. When taking your canvas class, I futzed around with materials a bit until I came up with a friend. She loves roses and calligraphy which were on one sheet of paper. I immediately selected it, and knew it was going to be for her.

    Your question made me realize that I am most of the time inspired by the people for whom I make things. Even cards. When it is scrapbook pages, generally it is materials and ideas for titles that come together. I don’t even worry about matching my photos to papers. I like all the colors together.

    Good question! But again, living on west coast, I enjoyed your stroll… you can keep the white stuff, though!

    Reply

  • laurajo

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    That was loads of fun. I just can’t imagine the cold. i am a weeny!! It looks like the antarctic! I still want to visit but I will definitely wait until Summer. Thanks for you inspiring stroll, braving the elements, even when you weren’t feeling great. You’re such a trooper.

    Reply

  • Leadonna Kimmel

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    Nat, thanks for the stroll! It makes me want to take a stroll in my neighborhood and look for some inspiration. It also makes me want to go to our downtown area and walk around with my camera and capture some inspiration there, too. We have a small downtown as Winston-Salem is not a big city but we do have some lovely architecture. Inspiration can be found all around us, we just have to open our eyes and look with our hearts and our creative minds. I’ve been meaning to tell you how much I enjoyed Creative JumpStart. I’m already looking forward to next year! Thanks again for the walk-about and some giggles along the way!

    Reply

  • Kathy P

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    So awesome….so inspiring….you have such a great camera eye! I love when you do this walk-about!

    Reply

  • LindaBrun

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    Thank you for sharing Nat and I can just imagine all the inspiration you would get from a big and interesting city like NY. Can’t wait to take a stroll.
    Hugs

    Reply

  • jackie

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    a great stroll! even if it was cold and windy! look forward to see that building in one of your pieces!

    Reply

  • Leigh Pogue

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    Nat, I really love to see what other artists see around them through their eyes! I think it’s ‘Über’ cool to do this sometimes. TFS this little stroll. What a view of NYC ! Wow. Very niceand btw, I so enjoyed Creative Jumostart 2014 with you ! I will def do it again. I promise I will get around to uploading my pics, even tho they aren’t great, they were very fun and inspiring. Thanks. Leigh

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    It never ceases to amaze me that cool street art that you find on your strolls. Love the Native American and the Open Your Mind ones.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Winding Down: My Top Ten Photos of 2013

TopTenPhotos

 

It has become a tradition for me to wind down the year on my blog by posting some Top Ten Lists before the year ends. It makes me go back and look at what I have done and accomplished and it also makes me dwell in memories. Too often we forget about the things we did and accomplished throughout the year- often just bashing ourselves for not fulfilling all the wonderful new year’s resolutions from last year.  Maybe this makes you wanna do it too – if so – share :)

2013 was for sure a CRAZY year for me. With a move from Germany to the USA and all the preparation for it – there sure was a lot of emotional moments. When I looked back at the photos of 2013 I was astonished how much else happened. But here are my faves not because they are super good photos (hahaha)- no but because they have meaning for me :)

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My hubs laughing hysterically (and me shaking with laughter as you can see – because no way was I able to take a non blurry photo) because I said something funny …We had a wonderful romantic day celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary in Paris and this photo for me says it all :)

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My 40th (waahhh) birthday party with some of my best friends – terrible photo but I love it and who knows when we will ever be together like this again.

My friend Julie Fei-Fan Balzer‘s visit in Hamburg- gosh we had so much fun! So happy that we live so much closer now and I can see her way more often!

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Our Shipping container pulling away in Hamburg, Germany after preparing this move for 9 months. We were exhausted and also just relieved that this was done.

First strolls through the neighborhood and falling in love with it…

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After 10 years of being a lazy girl…I started going to the gym again- I go now five days a week as the gym is part of our apartment complex – including some kick box workouts. I love it and I have lot’s of fun. Besides I am probably the slowest, most uncoordinated and oldest (they are all like mid-20…geeee) person there ;)

I just love this photo I shot in Washington Square Park – old lady with an old lady puppet feeding a squirrel

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After a month without our stuff, living with 2 plates, a folding table and two folding chairs in our apartment we couldn’t have been happier seeing our container pulling up in the United States :) Even the cat was happy getting his fave chair back

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My sweet grand-aunt Margot two weeks ago at her birthday. I miss her so much and it is very sad to see how she is loosing her memory – but I cherish every time I talk with her daily on the phone and when I see her.

Our new home – I love it – and sitting in front of the fire….falling asleep ;) : priceless – LOL

That was it- my fave pictures of 2013- worst photos ever- but good memories. Every year I am amazed how photos can trigger so many memories. It is not just what you see on the photo , it is all around it. Love it.

Have a gorgeous day

huge hugs

nat

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Comments (13)

  • Eniko

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    You Have had an amazing year, Nathalie! Full of adventure and change. Thank you for sharing your most treasured moments. Have a terrific 2014!

    Reply

  • debby

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    Wonderful review. I went back and read about your experience with Fallen Leaves. This is one of the most powerful experiences I have read about. The use of art to get across the horror of the past while facing and addressing the current issues of a group of people is mind blowing.

    Reply

  • Karen

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    I love all the pictures in the post, but that lady with the puppet is priceless. Promise me you will take there to find her. I must speak with her!!!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Karen – she is as I was told very regularly in the warmer weather in Washington Square Park. Apparently she was even featured in something called People of New York City. If I recall right she used to come and watch the puppeteer who comes regularly and they bonded and then he made her this puppet and now she is there once in a while and plays along. I just heart this so much! We should go in spring :)

      Reply

  • Trena in Naperville

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    Nat!! Welcome to USA. (I know I’m late ;o)). Wishing you and your husband much happiness and success! God Bless you!

    Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

    Reply

  • Laura S.

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    Oh Nathalie, I love your pics. Thanks for the happy glimpse into your world. I too had a big milestone this year; turned 50! So, for my B-Day, my hubbie is taking me to Art Venture. Yoohoo. I can’t wait to meet you and all the Prima Chicas. I just know it will be a blast. Looking forward to CJS 2014. January is looking pretty darn good :)
    Hugs, Laura

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Happy Birthday!!! Looking forward meeting you at ArtVenture- so much fun! Happy New Year!

      Reply

  • nurse-ratchet

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    Happiest of New Year’s to my favourite LGL … Loved the peek into your 2013 & look forward to seeing you in 2014!

    Reply

  • Jackie

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    How fun to see your year in review, glad to see Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is closer to visit and your aunt Margot is still around to talk to!

    Reply

  • Tsila

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    Great post. Thanks.

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Oh Nat, I just love the memories that you shared.
    We were looking through some pics this past week and laughing at all the good times we’ve had. Some were sad as well. My MIL is having issues with her short term memory and it is not fun, but we are getting used to enjoying the moments we have with her.
    The photo of the old woman with the old woman puppet feeding the squirrel is my fave of yours.

    Reply

  • Sylvia

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    I hardly comment anymore, sorry about that! :(
    Loved looking at your photos again! Wonderful tradition…i should do the same. Have some wonderful last days of the year and all the possible best for 2014!! Huge hugs sylvia

    Reply

Leave a comment

Stroll Through The Hood

NathalieKalbach_Strollhood_Logo

 

A lot of times I get asked what inspires me. And one of my key answers is always “a stroll through the hood”. It might be street art, it might be thoughts or feelings connected with certain sights, it might be stuff I find to buy…in one way or the other you might find the photos, the thoughts, the feelings, the colors or anything from those strolls in my art journal, a mixed media project or a scrapbooking layout.

I would love to show you once a month what inspired me while strolling through my neighborhood. I hope you like the little insights into my daily life where I live . This is also a wonderful way for me to remind myself on the inspiring things in the hood. Maybe you get inspired by those posts and even invite ME to a stroll in YOUR hood – feel free to grab the logo and leave a comment for me on the post and share!

NatKalbach_JC01

 

This bathtub used as a planter in front of a neighbor hood florist always makes me laugh…I see this funny face with a funny nose …hilarious! – You should know by now I am a weirdo…if not…LOL- Welcome to my world!

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I did n’t even see those faces hidden in our stucco at our apartment building till my friend Marsha visiting me from The Netherlands pointed them out. There are several different ones…very funny. I am intrigued to find out about the story here…

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On the way to the Hamilton Farmers Market, I saw this sign…this makes me giggle ..I want this- LOL

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My sis in law and I took a screen printing class in my favorite store in J.C.  – Kanibal Home . The store is filled to the brim with wonderful home decor items, beautiful gifts, vintage furniture and cool clothing. The owner is amazing too and she probably thinks I am a weird stalker because my strolls through the hood let me end up in the store every second day – LOL.

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I love this old advertisement in the brick wall – you see a lot of those fading away in J.C. .

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Last saturday we were at TEDx Jersey City. A lot of great and inspiring talks- my favorite one was by Ben Figueroa. Ben “Broken English” Figueroa is a self-taught writer, spoken word artist, and stage performer. His talk was on “Step Your Art Up: Creating Honest Art for Today’s Youth”. It was such an amazing and inspiring speech  – I hope it will be soon available so I can share with you. BTW – it blew my mind that there almost no people at TEDx here…if you ever have a chance to go to one in your hood- GO!!!!

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Some of the street corners still have the old street signs- I love them – I hope they will keep them!

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A new mural- I saw the progress of it and it was pretty cool how they sprayed it –

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Other than strolls November was pretty crazy busy – so here is a stroll through our living-dining room where we hosted our house warming/home coming party and our first Thanksgiving Dinner in the states with our family. It was wonderful and we had a great time with our loved ones!

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Time to snuggle up in front of the fireplace for a moment…before the next crazy bit of the year begins. Looking forward to my December strolls through the hood…although…the weather here is something I have to get used to. While cold weather in Hamburg is like Needles in your Bone, in NJ/NYC it is like scissors in your lungs and the wind is like a shovel in your back…or …actually …it is more like a shovel right in your kisser ;)

Have a wonderful day in or out :)

nat

Comments (8)

  • Nancy Sapp

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    LOVE your “Hood” posts! Yes, IF we have the time to look, there are so many neat & interesting patterns, odd shapes & funny signs in any neighborhood.
    LOVE YOUR apt! It looks so roomy – compared to my house!
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts & art every day.
    Grandma Nancy

    Reply

  • jenny

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    Hi Nat
    love the eat local sign hmm I could use that sign here
    you are so funny
    thanks for the stroll

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    I so enjoy your strolls that you share with us.
    Zombies eat locals…too funny.
    The face in the stucco is kinda creepy to me.
    The mural on that wall is gorgeous.
    Your table setting is simple and elegant.
    Your fireplace looks like the perfect place to snuggle with cat, hubby, a huge mug of tea and a good book.

    Reply

  • Liz

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    Did I ever tell you that I worked at a screen printing place one summer? Oye! Enough screen printing for a lifetime, I tell ya.

    Reply

  • Barbara L

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    Your neighborhood is such fun. I love that bathtub pic and the “eat locals” sign. Let us know what you find out about the stucco faces. Interesting. You’ll eventually get used to north Jersey weather. It can be tough, but enjoy it anyway.

    Reply

  • Jean A Marmo

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    I love your strolls through the hood! What a gorgeous apartment!!

    Reply

  • wilma Voermans

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    Love your strolls through the neighborhood! I like the housepainting(spraying), wowww!

    Reply

Leave a comment

On the PATH…or NYC visits

DISCLAIMER: This Blog Post contains two picture that use words that are curse words , if you have a problem with this, you might be better off looking at something else  . Don’t email me to complain, don’t visit my blog anymore because I might post things like this again and for sure do not let your kids look at this !
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One of the things that I really love about living in Jersey City, is that it takes me about 15-20 minutes to go to New York. I am faster in Manhattan than many people that live in NYC ;) I call Jersey City actually lovingly “Manhattan for Beginners” – I can sleep here without my heart rate going up with all the lights and noise but I am also feeling like close enough to THE city   ;) Strolling through NYC is fun as you can spy so many fun people, signs, graffitis and paste ups here and there

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I loved this on the pavement

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and this one made me laugh a lot (because everyone including me runs around with the right arm holding the cell phone and looking at it constantly)

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And they do love to tell you no-nonsense of what you get if you park at the wrong spot

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or what you can find in a store

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And seriously…where do you find an old lady with an old lady puppet feeding a squirrel? Edited: I received a comment by Ricky Syers: “Thank you for posting the pic of Doris Diether feeding the squirrel! Im Ricky Syers the creator of these marionettes and the original marionette squirrel feeder!!” Please check out his website

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I can also now see my sweet friend Julie more often(I am so happy about being closer to her…don’t tell her ;) )…she might come soon to NJ too…she is still preparing and getting her shots and a passport …New Yorkers seem to have a hard time to leave the city, even if the drive is just 15 mins ;)

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I guess I should have called this post a Stroll through the neighbor neighbor hood ;) Anyway- I hope this made you smile a bit – have a gorgeous day !

Huge hugs

Nat

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Comments (14)

  • RicKy Syers

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    Thank you for posting the pic of Doris Diether feeding the squirrel! Im Ricky Syers the creator of these marionettes and the original marionette squirrel feeder!!

    Reply

  • Pearl Maple

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    Have fun with all your new adventures and exploring NYC. LoL on finding treasures like the sweet lady with her puppet feeding a squirrel! how cute are they !

    Reply

  • julie

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    Love it all Nat – thanks for posting!

    Reply

  • Amante del Papel

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    fabulous post! thanks Nat for showing your new city!

    Reply

  • Denise Spillane

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    Oh boy, you always make me laugh but today brought tears too. I miss NY and NJ where I grew up and family still resides. I get homesick this time of year. Keep up these wonder posts.

    Reply

  • Denise Spillane

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    Oh boy, you always make me laugh but today brought tears too. I miss NY and NJ where I grew up and family still resides. I get homesick this time of year. Keep up these wonder posts.

    Reply

  • Nurse Ratchet

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    Fab post Nat….I love NYC!! I may have an idea what to do when I retire,now that I have seen the marionette toting, squirrel feeding gal…….

    Reply

  • Deleted User

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    :-)

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Of course this post make me smile Nat!
    The pic of the old lady with the old lady puppet feeding the squirrel is a riot. So you really are close to NYC and Julie. Sweet. You two will be/are a good support to each other personally and as artists (making it in this big world). Love the signs. I need one of the phone signs to hang out of my car window. So many people talking and not driving safely around here.

    Reply

  • Laura Strack

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    Good thing about living in New York, besides your Bestie living there, too, you will never run out of things to write about and the there is always a great pic, just around the corner :)

    Reply

  • Peggy Beige Spaulding

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    I like seeing your postings about strolling NJ & NY. your Pics are great Being an artist and living in the rural country “MOO MOO” I do not have access to having a Big City but I do have the beauty of the country side.
    Have a Happy Day! Peggy

    Reply

  • wilma Voermans

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    Great pictures, my dream is to visit New York one time! This way I can enjoy it already a little. And curse words here , I coudn’t find bad stuff. You should hear me when I am angry at the boys :)

    Reply

  • Jean A Marmo

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    Looks like a wonderful trip to the city!

    Reply

  • Nolene

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    Oh my goodness! How cute is the old lady photo! I adore it! Please may I use it? I’ll keep your signature in the bottom.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Photo Booth Wall Art or …Blog Response

NatKalbach_PhotoboothFun

If you are a reader of my friend’s Julie Fei-Fan Balzer you probably saw her fun post about what she did with those photo booth strips that she and I took during her visit here in Hamburg. I totally love what she did with them – and I cannot wait to see it in person. At the end of her post she asks “What have you done to display your photo booth strips?” – and here comes my Blog Response :)

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A couple of years – many years ago – my husband and I took a photo strip at a booth in San Francisco. It was one of our first really big trips together and I totally love this little photo strip. I went to a professional photography studio and asked if they could print it on a very large and long canvas. The photo strip itself on the canvas is now 4.5×24 inches- just to give you a reference – here is a pic of me sticking my finger out- so you have a reference ;)

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At first the photoplace wasn’t weren’t sure it would work  because of the resolution of the photo booth strip (my photos here are actually a bit blurry but the print itself is not) and because it is so much smaller than I then actually wanted it to be printed – but it worked – And I love love love it. It wasn’t cheap as I remember –  I am sure you can get it cheaper nowadays – even just scan it in at a very good resolution, maybe play a bit in photoshop and then upload it to any of those services that do print photos on canvases. It is a great memory :)

Maybe I should have the Julie and Nat photo strips printed on canvas for my new studio :)

 

Have a gorgeous day

Nat

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Comments (8)

  • Neil Mackenzie

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    I love your photo Booth images, every one gets inside and turn into teenagers!

    Reply

  • Madeline Rains

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    I love this. Your husband is American? He looks so European to me. Such a cute couple!

    Reply

  • Corrine

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    Sweet….what is it about photo booths that make us get so silly…….love your friendship with Julie and how you two always light up around each other in every photo. Cute hubby.

    xox

    Reply

  • Lisa Flaherty

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    What an awesome thing to do, Nat! I love it!

    Reply

  • Gunvor

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    What a cool idea!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Great idea and yes, you should have the ones from Julie’s visit hanging up in your new studio.

    Reply

  • Helen

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    What a great idea and a lovely reminder of a happy memory.

    Reply

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Stroll Through the Hood

NathalieKalbach_Strollhood_Logo

A lot of times I get asked what inspires me. And one of my key answers is always “a stroll through the hood”. It might be street art, it might be thoughts or feelings connected with certain sights, it might be stuff I find to buy…in one way or the other you might find the photos, the thoughts, the feelings, the colors or anything from those strolls in my art journal, a mixed media project or a scrapbooking layout.

I would love to show you once a month what inspired me while strolling through my neighborhood. I hope you like the little insights into my daily life where I live (Hamburg, Germany). This is also a wonderful way for me to remind myself on the inspiring things in the hood. Maybe you get inspired by those posts and even invite ME to a stroll in YOUR hood – feel free to grab the logo and leave a comment for me on the post and share!

While walking to the grocery store I caught sight of this awesome graffiti car- how fun!

NathalieKalbach_GraffitiCar

 

This house is getting torn down right now. Very sad- I always loved this house. I used to live for many years right next to it.

 

NathalieKalbach_byehouse

 

my subway stop…love the old water tower. I saw this when I came home from a trip in the train, passing fast by – made me happy to be home soon.

 

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Saturday Flea Market – love strolling there after grocery shopping – It is always inspiring and you find lot’s of stuff…like a letterpress cabinet ;)

 

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This made my friend Sandra and me laugh forever, we nearly wet our pants. Taken in clothing store here -in the changing area. On the right it says “Please do not hang anything on the lightbulbs, thanks”.

 

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I recognized the bird from a different place when I posted some street art photos from the hood a couple of weeks ago.

 

NathalieKalbach_Blind

 

Taken in the park around the corner. It is called “Planten un Bloomen” – which is the name in a regional language called Plattdeutsch (a kind of Low German not often spoken anymore – if someone here once in a while really starts talking in Plattdeutsch- I understand ZERO). English and Plattdeutsch have a lot of similarities since they come from the same language origin. So you can probably get the sense of the name “Planten un Bloomen” :)

 

NathalieKalbach_PlantenBloomen

 

Wonderful treasure store …unbelievable what you can find there! I got some really cool old stamps there.

NathalieKalbach_DollsStamps

 

Since we are not getting too much sun here …as soon as the sun is out and even if it is freezing cold- everyone sits outside for lunch or for coffee, to watch what is going on outside …in the hood.

 

NathalieKalbach_sushi

 

Hope you liked it- see you next month in the hood ;)

hugs

Nat

Comments (11)

  • Enikö

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    Love seeing you stroll through the neighborhood! I’ve always been intrigued by Hamburg since I read about the Beatles hanging out there in their youth, LOL! I live on a small rural island (Martha’s Vineyard is off the coast of Massachusetts in the US) so it’s very different from where you live…perhaps I’ll post a little tour one day.

    Reply

    • Nathalie Kalbach

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      Ohhh I always wanted to go to Martha’s Vineyard. Some day :) Yes yes take me on a tour :)

      Reply

  • Carrie

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    Thanks for the glimpse into your world! My husband and mother-in-law have some relatives in Niedersachsen who speak Plattdeutsch, I think. I haven’t met them, but my mother-in-law told me about Plattdeutsch, and how different it is.

    Reply

  • fran

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    love that expression “the hood” I haven’t heard it before.

    Reply

  • Anna Ely

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    Thanks for showing us around your “hood”! It’s been 20 years since I was in Germany last….would so love to go back again! I may just have to take a stroll around mine and share!

    Reply

  • Suzanne Bouchard

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    Wonderful! Thanks for sharing your neighborhood! I loved the store that sells old stamps. WOW!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    I love “walking” through your hood Nat. That car is awesome and I wonder if my hubby would like to change our mini-van to match it. I especially like to see your pics since we do not live in the city and only get to Boston about 6 times a year.

    Reply

  • weevon

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    Thank you for the walk thru your hood! Love seeing places I have never been, especially the places you would never see in a tour.

    Reply

  • Marsha.

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    <3!

    I love walking in my city and there is always something to see and think about. But it's not half as cool and inspirational as your neighbourhood!

    Reply

  • Michelle Guest

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    Very cool tour… I love seeing your neighborhood… I love the store you call the treasure store- those are the best places to find unexpected treasures!

    Reply

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Inspiration Overload or…a Day in NYC

julie and Nat

Last Wednesday I took the PATH from Jersey City where I had also a fun day on Tuesday to New York City and visited my friend Julie Fei Fan Balzer. I love spending time with her. Not only is she an amazing artist, always happy to share and help with her never-ending knowledge and input, but also as a real friend. It is just the best to hang out with her.

Every time I visit her I get struck by the beauty of her art – in real life even more awesome. These two pieces were my favorite :)

julieart01

julieart02

After some chatting we went to MoMA. Not before takings some elevator photos- as those are Julie’s daily routine. As you can see…this needs practice – LOL

Liftphoto

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I love MoMA and every time you go there is something new to discover. This time Julie gave me her 1 Dollar tour…which she never got- although the tour was worth more…oh well…lol- ssssshhh ;)

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Cat and Bird by Paul Klee. I love the color choices

 

happy

Marc Chagall

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Paul Klee – I believe- awesome weaving!

 

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Edvard Munch: The writing on the pre-study touched me – and it somehow for me belongs together with the painting

Geschrei: Ich fühlte das große Geschrei durch die Natur

Scream: I felt the big scream passing through the nature

 

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my absolute fave by Paul Klee: Vocal Fabric of the Singer Rosa Silber

After all that we needed a little lunch break -nom nom pouched shrimps

pouchedshrimps

and then we went to Rockefeller Center with a short glimpse of the tree. Here is a little tree parade – all what I saw that day in NYC:

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THE tree, shortly before the lighting of the tree

legotree

awesome lego tree

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Radio City Hall Tree lit on the way to Pen Station shot out of window of taxi cab

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Anthropologie Tree with nice mirroring building

Speaking of Anthropologie- which is one of my most favorite inspiring stores, there is no visit to the States for me without going to Anthropologie. This time I have been in 3 locations- LOL. NYC, Montclair – NJ and Palm Beach-FL – call me obsessed ;)

antrobooksdeco

 

These boots were calling my name- until I saw the price tag- ahem, then the voice got more into whispering mode ;) . But aren’t they just beautiful?

 

antroboots

 

I want this fox – I love foxes :)

 

 

 

 

antrofox

 

Cute

 

 

 

 

 

 

antrorabbit

 

Funky bunny ornament

 

 

 

 

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I would love to have those for my drawers in my craft room!

 

 

 

 

drawerhandles

 

Felt Garland

 

 

 

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From there we went back to record the Adventures in Arting: Globally Thinking Podcast .

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And after some tea and a bit more chatting  with Julie and her Mom Eileen,  I had to go home :( SAD…..Thank you Julie for an awesome day full of inspiration! I so can’t wait to see you soon again.

What is your favorite inspirational store?

huge hugs

nat

  • Michelle Hernandez (@willieburgscrap)

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    I CANNOT BELIEVE we were at Rockerfeller Center at the same time on the same day!!!! The crowds were crazy so it would have been a miracle to have bumped into you. I was with my 3 year old daughter and we spent most of the time sitting on the floor in the Lego store. I don’t think I would have stopped you though- it would have been strange. But fingers crossed we’ll bump into each other on your next visit- we frequent the same places! I LOVE Anthropologie!!! There are 3 other stores in Manhattan and each does it’s own display so I often go on a “tour” just to see what the current display trends are. Last time I went they had gold dipped rubber tree leaves hanging from the ceiling- it was an amazing sight!

    Reply

  • Jessica

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    I live just over the river in New Jersey! Next time you visit Julie, I’d love to see you!!

    Reply

  • SusanJane

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    Actually it’s not a store at all. Free even. Clouds. Especially cirrus clouds which are those long whisky ones made out of tiny ice crystals high up. But there are so many types of clouds. Of course clouds make the best sunsets. Ever seen a sun dog? They are the small lone clouds that float all by themselves at sunset. When ever I feel awe and wonder I feel inspired. Having it be free is priceless.

    Reply

  • Isabel LopezDel RinconTroussel

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    I Love, love, love NYC in December…! Did you also see the Christmas tree at the MET? It usually is amazing! If not, well, at least you went to the MOMA, another of my favorite places in that city! And also the Folk Museum, the Bronx Botanical Gardens…. Oh, and one of my inspirational stores is MOMA Design Store (as is any other museum store… Also, a couple stores in SoHo: Leekan Designs and The Enchanted Forest… not sure if they still exist… Oh! and Pearl Paint of course!!!

    Reply

  • mjmarmo

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    Looks like fun!!

    Reply

  • Mariana Granoni

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    Moma is my favourite museum, LOVE IT. Great photos Nathalie. I’m a huge fan of both of you. Merry Christmas! and a Very happy new year!!

    Reply

  • lisa

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    Hi Nat, looks like you had fun : ) Love the fox and the bunnies : ) xx

    Reply

  • Mary Werner

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    Paint your own pair of boots – I bet you and all of us would love them even more!!!!!!

    Reply

  • Martha Richardson

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    I’m so glad that NYC survived after the 2 of you got together…DOUBLE TROUBLE!!!

    Reply

  • rains

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    I just toured those same stores while visiting with my 12yo son in Sept! We went to Anthropologie (for me, could only afford some clearance sunglasses, but they’re purple and wonderful) and to the lego store for him. Both were sooo inspiring and I took many pictures of the displays. Also, the candy store in Rockefeller Center that has been there for decades. They make amazing paper animals in which to wrap an individual chocolate. That’s soo inspiring to me. I loved seeing your day with Julie. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

    • rains

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      Oh! And MOMA! I go there every time I get to NYC and it is the most inspiring of all museums, to me.

      Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Yeah, another post with my two favorite creative ladies (together)!
    I love the Lego tree and the rabbit from Alice and Wonderland (the one with the spy glass).
    I find inspiration while at Barnes & Noble since that is where I purchase Somerset Memories. Also at a local gift shop which has local art and awesome jewelry. It is called the Andovers Gift Shop.
    Fun post Nat.

    Reply

  • Marit

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    Oh wow, I would love to spend a day at the MoMa… even more now that I’ve seen your photos! Gorgeous and inspiring! Thanks!

    Reply

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Photos: London Part I

Ok – da kommt Ihr jetzt heute und morgen nicht drum rum- LOL. Photos aus London. Es war echt super – wir waren so oft in London, dass man alles ganz relaxt angeht – manche Sachen wiederholt man, andere Touri-Sachen kann man getrost weglassen – so mag ich das.

Ok -you have to get through those photos today and tomorrow- LOL. Photos of London. It was so cool – we have been so often in London that we are totally relaxed there – you can repeat some stuff – but you can also skip other tourist attractions- I love it.

*Love Brick Buildings*

*Crane Ballet*

*And finally some good Belgian Beers in London – LOL …the nose is sometimes a bit horseblanket like- LOL*

*Near Holborn Station*

*Camden Market*

*Canal Boat Tour*

*so not staged *snigger*

*I just have no money for a fisheye lense*

*Across Hyde Park – freaky cool – isn’t it?*

Ok – more photos …and some gems ;-) tomorrow.

  • mywiel

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    Ich mag deine Londonsbilder sehr – sie erinnern mich daran, dass ich gern mal wieder hin möchte

    Reply

  • Eeva

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    How cool!!! I have never been to London yet but I would love to go some day.

    Reply

  • Sylvia

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    Oh wow, Nat! Fantastic photographs. Love the one with the wet street.

    Reply

  • Conibaer

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    Die Fotos sind absolut genial geworden! Es freut mich, dass Ihr so eine schöne Zeit hattet!

    Reply

  • rebekah robinson

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    Great pics, Nat!! Looks like you had a great time!!

    Reply

  • nan

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    HI I am nanbhack from SIS tv… I LOVE YOUR PICTURES!!! they are GOREGEOUS!!! Makes me want to go through all my london ones.

    Reply

  • Judean

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    fab pictures–thanks for sharing!!!

    Reply

  • Cat

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    gorgeous Nat. My dream is to go to London one day!! THANKS for sharing!

    Reply

  • fauve

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    amazing!so jealous!

    Reply

  • Fienchen

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    Klasse Fotos !!!
    Vielen Dank fürs zeigen.

    PS:kommste mich mal besuchen auf meinem Blog ? ;o)

    Reply

  • Kim Sonksen

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    Oh oh oh oh wo habt Ihr denn die Bierfoddos aifgenommen? das sieht aus wie ein Platz der uns auch gefallen wuerde. geile Fotos und ich freue mich schon auf mehr.
    Ach und das naechste mal sach doch ma Bescheid, dann treffe ich Euch gerne zum bummeln :)

    Reply

  • sally

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    awesome pics!!!! now I wanna be there!!!

    Reply

  • Denine

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    Gorgeous pictures! I would love to go to London one day!

    Reply

  • Jen Martakisf

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    What awesome photos! Thanks for sharing! (Love the fish eye lens – LOL)

    Reply

  • Andrea

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    Wow – was für tolle Fotos … vor allem das letzte ist ja wohl sowas von genial …

    Reply

  • Daphne

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    woohoooo…. I am sure the lottery will bring me there one time…to live there I mean :-)
    London rules above all other European cities!

    Reply

  • Birgitt

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    wundervolle Fotos Nat. Ich freu mich auf mehr.
    Grüsse Birgitt

    Reply

  • Natasja

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    wow great pictures girl!!
    xo
    Natas

    Reply

  • Jenxo

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    Ohhh lovely photos, i would so love to go back!!

    Reply

  • Sasha

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    LOVE THE PICS girl .. LOVE THEM

    Reply

  • milkcan

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    Your photos are *gorgeous* and so engaging!

    Reply

  • heather

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    Oh, this is wonderful. You did a great job capturing the London-ness. We haven’t been for a few years, but, it is fun to reminisce with you! I should be spending some time in France within the year; do you want me to pick up some Levis and send them?

    Reply

  • Kelly

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    Gorgeous shots Nat!!
    Looks like you had a fabulous time!

    Reply

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