We Germans have a thing about bags. For us bags are highly functional objects and never meant to be frivolous. Bags are form not fad. Bags are not a fashion accessory, they are a "tool." Now, don't get me wrong, color, shape, material and overall look play a big role when buying a bag-but they are considered second to "functionality." It starts early. Here my brother and I with our very first bags, our kindergarten bags. It took a while to find the right ones, I remember...

In my opinion there is one German brand that has managed to strike a great balance between form, function and innovation and that is BREE. I grew up with BREE bags. BREE bags use the best leather, the best hardware and they last forever.

I am still unpacking from Germany, but wanted to start sharing some of the beautiful things + designs + crafts and brands I discovered or re-discovered on my last travels; share what I brought back to "sweet home" Chicago this time around. Let's start with my father's ashtray...!

Our last day in London was spend at the Whitechapel Gallery...where Thomas Struth's photography kept Jarek and I captivated. We loved this space. And now we are off to the airport going back in time to sweet home Chicago. But oh, we will miss this city. 'Til next time!  xoxox

The last two days were all about Temples, Tatooes, Patterns and Credos...From London's Indian neighborhood, to hemp driven Campden, to soccer crazy NikeTown, fun TopShop and always lovely Muji. Then Yoga studio "Indaba" with it's gorgeously simple + smart interior design-this is probably the most beautiful yoga studio around. Not only is our very own Ellen the general manager she also played a big part in creating this place, leading the Interior Design and Branding efforts.  ( Jarek loved her amazing felt ball installation...) Oh, we heart London.

Bridges,Tubes + Castles. Cathedrals, Pies + Pigeons. The Tate... all brought to us by the amazing Ellen Walsh Moorman,  Jarek's aunt and a good friend. We heart her and we heart her city. xoxox

August apples, bowls of steaming potatoes, perfectly soft boiled eggs, a wooden rocking horse, my nieces sharing a sausage, our favorite childhood puzzle, my mother's typewriter and her collection of russian nesting dolls...a castle, a small town and a river that runs through it...that's home, that is where I am coming from.

I just returned from NYC and must report that I too fell in love with the Ace Hotel. Of course I did. While I am certain that many of you ( Hi Nick!)  know all about this already - I couldn't resist reporting...Because to me the Ace was not another empty boutique hotel bloated with blingy hospitality clichés. The Ace is a positve, inspiring, curious, inclusive place, emanating collaborations between designers, artists, brands and independent local businesses. Nice. Look...

Drama. And rainbows. Amazing.

You'll never hear me complaining when we have to go on a business trip to Louisville, Kentucky. I love my clients down there. But honestly I really like going because I love the 21c Museum Hotel where I know we will stay. Or dine. Now for the second consecutive year the 21c Museum Hotel has been selected as the #1 hotel in the United States and #6 in the world in the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. Really??? Yes.

Hello Spring!  Here a piece from Artist Jack Milroy I wanted to share..( Yes, another London find. ) Milroy, born in Glasgow 1938 trained in England at the Scarborugh School of Art and the University of London where he lives and teaches ever since.

While in London on a photoshoot I stayed at "Number 16" a super cozy and very English little Hotel in South Kensington. Owned by the Firmdale Hotel Group, the folks that also brought you the amazing "Crosby Street Hotel in NYC". I  felt like staying at a relatives's home-a long lost aritocratic English aunt perhaps? Perfectly simple, perfectly posh with sitting rooms and an honesty bar-but nothing stiff about this number-just a lovely comfortable well, Englishness...

Number 16 has only  42 guestrooms, all and each of them designed differently...I stayed in this yellow, grey floral one...with a beautiful french-doored balcony. ( And solid brass hardware on every knob, pull and handle...Aaah! European hardware.)

The little private garden is perfect. I admit, leaving wasn't easy this time...

Beautiful spring is here...in London that is.  I am here  this week for a photo production and London is in gorgeous bloom and sadly much ahead of snowy Chicago.

Our little Weekend Get Away to Milwaukee brought us to The Harley Davidson Museum ...

We just came back from a long weekend visiting family and BINTH friends in Phoenix...Here a few things I wanted to share.

The Hotel Theodore in Scottsdale. All white, a beautiful pool and rooms that try hard to be trendy. The crowd: party all night. Not the place to go if you have children with you. Not the place to send your parents to. And make sure you hit the pool real early before the hangover crowd takes over the cabanas and the conversations...

I fell in love with the Palo Verde Trees. And I sometimes dream of creating a garden like this one at the Phoenix Dessert Botanical Gardens.

Carved in stone. Details from the Frankfurter Cathedral.