ToDryFor Towels

I am a sucker for a clean smart graphic print.  Enter-- ToDryFor. A slew of imaginatively printed towels.  I found them by way of Dezeen and their pop up store, Temporium.

Now, I just need the kitchen to match.


*Thank you for your comments.

made by hand gifts

My son is in his first year of preschool and has some wonderful teachers. I was inspired to make  patchwork potholders as gifts for the teachers.  Potholders are humble but can be beautiful and oh so useful. 
I had seen something by My Girl Thursday on Pinterest and decided to give it a try.
They were a small and quick project that let me use fabric that I own---perfect!!
Then.... my four year old son wanted to help me. Sure. 
It was fun to have him involved. I let go of my perfectionist self and embraced the process with him. We had a blast.
Some of the potholders are a little wonky, but hey, I can't blame it all on my son. :)

Next, I had fun wrapping the potholders using plain natural tissue paper, little bits of ribbon, and some cute gift tags from Target.

 

Now I had better look at my own collection of potholders in my kitchen drawer.
Yikes! I should have made some for myself!


All photos: Amy Dietrich for Coventry Drive

*Thank you for your comments!

I Think I Love Berlin- Part 5

The last evening in Berlin,  I was one of many guests at the American Embassy.  My husband was the moderator of a panel discussion there about the commonalities between the city of Berlin and Detroit.  Despite the differences in the two places, there is much to be learned and to share. The united passion for progress and change was overwhelming that evening. I wonder what will come of it. It was obvious that when the event was over, the discussion was only getting started.

My husband and I were graciously invited to a dinner after the event at a restaurant called Little Otik. It is owned by American expats from Detroit by way of Brooklyn. It had the feeling of Brooklyn and Berlin at the same time. Having lived in Brooklyn, I had the feeling of being home. The meal was inspired and the room was loud with laughter and conversation. 

I hadn’t expected to make new friends in Berlin.

Personally, I shared so much in common with the new friends that I made in Berlin.  Motherhood, creativity, love and respect for other cultures, carving out new careers, and making meaningful lives for our families were the uniting forces with most of the women that I met in Berlin. An openness and fearlessness prevailed.

The gray buildings and gray skies are only part of the view.

Berlin is no longer just a place to me.  It is friendship, hope, and warmth.


All Photos by Amy Dietrich for Coventry Drive.

I Think I Love Berlin-Part 4

Shop Visit: Florale Welten

Right next door to my hotel, was a gorgeous floral shop called Florale Welten. It was chock full of wintry items. I found things that were whimsical as well as things that were classic. 

It was a sparkling feast for the eyes.

I took this reindeer home with me. He is happy on my mantel.

Florale Welten

Nurnberger Str. 50-55

10789  Berlin

www.floralwelten.com

All photos by Amy Dietrich For Coventry Drive.