Bonne Année!

Wishing you a shiny new year! Here are some simple decorations I made this year using this Martha Stewart how-to. White tissue paper, iridescent ribbon, and voilà.

Sugar and Spice

I love the sweet details on this 3.1 Phillip Lim blouse and J Crew Platform Kilted Ankle Boots. To spice it up a bit, I paired them with a red silk crepe de Chine skirt that I made. Herringbone tights add some texture, and a gold chain belt pulls it all together.

Blouse: 3.1 Phillip Lim

Skirt: self-made

Belt: Sandro

Tights: J Crew

Ankle Boots: J Crew

Munich

Neues Rathaus {New Town Hall} at Christmastime, Marienplatz

Munich is filled with beautiful architecture and art, diverse restaurants, and pretty shops. It’s a treat to stop by the main town square at 11am to see the Glockenspiele {Clock Tower}. Mechanical knights joust as the bells ring out.

Glockenspiele {Clock Tower} on the Neues Rathaus, Marienplatz

Karlstor {Old City Gate}, Karlsplatz

Atop the Deutsches Museum, Museumsinsel 1

Coat: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Scarf: H&M

Here are some of my other favorite sights, shops, and eats:

Sights

~Bayerische Staatsoper for operas, Max Joseph Platz

~Schloss Nymphenburg for stunning architecture and gardens

Shops

~Flohmarkt Riem for vintage treasures, Willy Brandt Platz

~Leopoldstrasse for Art Nouveau buildings and street-side cafés

~Maximilianstrasse for luxury boutiques

~Theresa for chic fashion, Maffeistrasse 3

Eats

~Augustinerbräu for dark beer and hearty food, Neuhauser Strasse 27

~Viktualienmarkt to wander the food market stalls, Frauenstrasse

Sparkly Things

As the New Year approaches, I'm thinking about lovely memories of this year and sparkly, new things ahead. With a silk dress and glittering pumps, I'll be ready to ring in the New Year.

~Anna Weatherley Simply Anna Dinnerware

~Michael Aram Gooseberry Bowls

~Miriam Haskell Swarovski Crystal & Glass Pearl Earrings

~Miu Miu Glitter Pumps

~Empire Supplies Sparklers

~Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti Silk-Satin Halterneck Dress

~Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Volupté

Kaffee and Kuchen

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte {Black Forest Cake}, Café Reichard

In Germany, the culture of kaffee and kuchen {coffee and cake} reigns. Often an afternoon ritual, I love the sahnetorten {whipped cream cakes}. My favorite is Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte {black forest cake}. The cookie crust and chocolate cake balance out the tart cherries and kirsch-flavored liqueur mousse. Just for good measure, it's covered with decadent whipped cream and chocolate shavings. I stopped by Café Reichard in Cologne last week for some sweets.

Apfel Champagner Sahnetorte (Apple and Champagne Liqueur Cake}, Café Reichard

Joyeux Noël

Christmas cookies I baked this year before we devour them tomorrow

Tomorrow, I’ll be enjoying some good food with family and friends. Joyeux Noël! This is the rest of my Christmas Eve dinner menu:

Appetizers

Bacon-Wrapped Apricots with Sage

Spiced Pecans

Starter

Goat Cheese Salad with Pecans and Dried Cranberries

Main

Salt and Herb-Crusted Prime Rib with Horseradish Sauce

Scalloped Potatoes with Herbes de Provence

Caramelized Shallots

Sweets
Pecan Pie

Apple Crumb Pie with Almond Crust

Drink

Cabernet Sauvignon

Berlin

Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden

Coat: Heidi Merrick

Jeans: J Brand

Boots: Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti

Before snow blanketed Germany this winter, I took the train up to Berlin for a weekend. Berlin is a massive city, but I tried to pack in as much as I could. We toured historical sights, ate delicious käsespätzle {gooey cheese and noodles topped with crispy onion strings}, and picked up some jasmine-scented bath products from Departmentstore Quartier 206.

Holocaust Memorial by architect Peter Eisenman

Lasting Imprint of the Berlin Wall

Käsespätzle at Weltrestaurant Markthalle, Pucklerstrasse 34

Scalloped Potatoes with Herbes de Provence

For creamy indulgence, scalloped potatoes with herbes de Provence are the perfect addition to herb-crusted prime rib. Any chance I get, I also love to use my Revol bakers that I bought in Paris at MORA, an overflowing cooking emporium.

Scalloped Potatoes with Herbes de Provence Recipe

{Adapted from Bon Appétit}

1½ cups whipping cream

1½ cups chicken broth

1 cup dry white wine

½ cup minced shallots

1 Tbsp. minced garlic

1 Tbsp. herbes de Provence

1 ½ tsp. salt

10 oz. soft fresh goat cheese

4 pounds russet potatoes

Preheat oven to 400°F. Peel potatoes. Slice thinly or use a mandolin, and set aside. Butter a 13"x9" baking dish. In a large pot over medium-high heat, add whipping cream, chicken broth, white wine, shallots, garlic, herbes de Provence, and salt. Bring to simmer. Add half of goat cheese. Stir until cheese is incorporated. Add potatoes. Stir gently, and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat, and pour into baking dish. Cover with foil, and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover, and bake an additional 45 minutes. Potatoes should be tender when pierced with a knife. Crumble remaining goat cheese over potatoes. Bake 5 more minutes. Top should be bubbly and golden brown. Let cool 15 minutes before serving. It’s worth the wait.

Winter Wonderland

White and cream colored outfits brighten up a gloomy winter day. I’m especially fond of this Rag & Bone Marais shirt for its versatility. It’s a crisp white button-down by day and a silky, polished look by night. I’ll pair it with black pleated trousers that have a big bow at the waist and gold heels.

~Asos Bow Headband Turban

~Claudie Pierlot Washed Silk Blouse

~French Connection Cream Wool Blend Tina Tuxedo Jacket

~J Crew Kilted Ankle Platform Boots

~Lanvin Washed-Canvas Skirt

~Maje Cream Ostrich Feather Mini Skirt

~Milly Pleat-Front Dress

~Rag & Bone Marais Shirt

~Sandro Epine Silk Blouse

~Urban Outfitters BDG Fisherman Cardigan

Silky + Luxurious

Sweater: Whistles UK

Pants: Alberta Ferretti

Mary Janes: Tory Burch

Handbag: Chloé

Cashmere and silk create a knockout pair for both comfort and luxury. This Whistles UK cashmere sweater has slouchy dolman sleeves with button tabs for sweet and understated details. Plus it keeps these Alberta Ferretti navy silk pants {that I found at a designer consignment store, Secondella, in Hamburg} in check. Tory Burch gold mary janes add a bit of glamour.

Heidelberg Christmas Market

Marktplatz Christmas Market, Heidelberg

Kornmarkt Christmas Market, Heidelberg, photo from Wikimedia Commons

I’ll end the week of Christmas markets with the Heidelberg Christmas Market. There are a few markets spread out throughout the city, but none can beat the Kornmarkt with the Heidelberg Castle ruins atop the hill in the background. The air was filled with a sweet aroma from zimtsterne {cinnamon star cookies} and heissen maronen {roasted chestnuts}. I picked up a beautiful hand-carved wood rocking horse ornament for the tree.

Steingasse leading to The Old Bridge

Coat: Burberry

Boots: Miss Albright

Frankfurt Christmas Market

Gilded carousel, Frankfurt Christmas Market

The Weihnachtsmarkt Frankfurt {Frankfurt Christmas Market} is framed by half-timbered buildings on the Römer square. Amidst all the bustle, a beautiful gilded carousel was spinning. There were also plenty of sweets. I love anything with almond flavor, so I picked up some bethmännchen, small marzipan confections that are Frankfurt specialties. And I couldn't leave without some candied almonds.

Smoking incense figurines

Candied almonds

Cologne Christmas Market

Stall selling sweets, Cologne Christmas Market

Scarf: 12th Street by Cynthia Vincent

The Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom {Cologne Christmas Market} in front of the towering Gothic cathedral offers a picturesque setting to wander through the wooden stalls. Bratwursts swing on a grill over an open fire pit and counters are lined with sweets {my favorites are sugared almonds, gummy peaches, and stollen bread}. I also picked up some glittery glass ornaments in shades of copper and gold.

Bratwursts on an open fire pit

Stall selling glass ornaments

Wiesbaden Christmas Market

Wiesbaden Sternschnuppen Markt {Twinkling Stars Christmas Market}

Pyramid, Wiesbaden Christmas Market

At night, lights shaped as lilies atop the four entrance gates steal the show at the Wiesbaden Sternschnuppen Markt {Twinkling Stars Christmas Market}. For added wonderment, the beautiful wooden Christmas pyramid spins with lighted nativity scenes. I love to walk down to the wooden stall selling kartoffelpuffer mit apfelmus, fried potato pancakes smothered with tart applesauce. This year, I also picked up some apricot-flavored liqueur and mocha-walnut chocolates for gifts.

Chocolates

Fruit liqueurs

Nuremberg Christmas Market

Hand-painted lebkuchen, Nuremberg Christmas Market

From November to December, Christmas markets fill German towns with lovely foods, treats, and entertainment. My favorite Christmas market is the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt. The cobblestone square in front of the cathedral is overflowing with hand-painted lebkuchen {spiced gingerbread}, happy travelers drinking glühwein {mulled red wine}, and a brass band playing traditional German music. This week, I’ll share more of my Christmas market travels.

“The Beautiful Fountain”

Hat: Peek & Cloppenburg

Scarf: Peruzzi {Florence, Italy}

German brass band

Zugspitze

Zugspitze

Trench: H&M

Scarf: Black Lily

Towering over Bavaria, Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany. On a recent trip to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, I took a scenic jaunt up the mountain on a cogwheel train. Then, it was a short gondola ride to the summit. Although blustery, there was a café to savor the panoramic views and a hot drink. On the idyllic ride back down {entirely by gondola}, the cable car passed over the Eibsee Lake and the serene countryside. Back in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, I enjoyed the frescoed buildings and hearty Bavarian food.

Gastof Fraundorfer, Ludwigstrasse 24

Werdenfelser Hof, Ludwigstrasse 58

Finishing Touches

Photos from Abigail A. Percy

For a delicate addition to my wardrobe, I’d love to pick up some beautiful jewelry from designer Abigail A. Percy. She handcrafts gold and silver pieces in her studio in Northern Ireland.

Eucalyptus Necklace

Sweet Horse Chestnut Droop Studs

Buttermilk Pancakes with Caramelized Bananas

After a Thanksgiving feast with lots of prep work, it’s nice to make a comfort meal that is easy and delicious. These buttermilk pancakes are the perfect consistency, dense and moist with a crisp edge when you prepare them in a frying pan with butter. Caramelized bananas add an unexpected flavor and a wonderful sweet fragrance while they are bubbling in the pan.

Buttermilk Pancakes with Caramelized Bananas Recipe

Pancakes

{Adapted from Martha Stewart}

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

2 ½ Tbsp. granulated sugar

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

3 cups buttermilk

4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

Butter for pan

Maple syrup, for topping

Caramelized Bananas

4 Tbsp. unsalted butter

¼ cup brown sugar

2 firm, ripe bananas, peeled and sliced

For the caramelized bananas, melt butter and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Mix with a wooden spoon until combined. Add sliced bananas and cook on medium-low until caramelized, about 3 minutes. Flip bananas and cook for 3 more minutes. Reduce heat to low to keep warm while preparing the pancakes.

For the pancakes, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk in eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter. Batter should be runny enough to pour. Heat an 8” frying pan to medium heat. When hot, add ½ Tbsp. of butter and swirl pan until it fully melts and the bottom is coated. Pour about ½ cup of batter into pan. Shake pan slightly to coat bottom. Cook 4 minutes. Pancake is ready to flip when it bubbles on the top and is slightly dry around the edges. Use spatula to see if bottom is golden brown, then flip. Cook 2 more minutes on other side. Repeat with remaining batter.

To assemble, transfer pancakes to plate. Spoon on caramelized bananas and brown sugar-butter mixture. Drizzle with additional maple syrup {if you really have a sweet tooth like me}. Makes 8 large pancakes.