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Monday, 5 December 2011

welcome to my castle in the rhineland

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Megapost warning! Right, you've been warned... I wanted to post these photos last night, but was so exhausted from the actual day that I went to bed at 9:30!

Yesterday, Albert and I cycled 8 km down the Rhine and then climbed a near vertical hill to visit Schloss Drackenburg, a fanciful, 19th century, Disney-esque (sorry Germans) castle perched above the town of Königswinter. After ascertaining that there was enough closet space we made an offer and will be moving in in the new year. Joking. : ) But it was fun pretending to be an imperial lady for an afternoon, and my lovely handmade coat from Spitalfields Market in London had the requisite amount of swish for all the grand staircases.

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crazy personal style blogger taking her coat off...

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The light indoors was pretty bad for taking photos, but here's one anyways so you can see their multiple Christmas trees.

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As to how I ended up so exhausted: since it was raining we tried to take the tram back, but while waiting at the station learned a new German word, "entfällt," which means cancelled. So we had to ride back for an hour in the rain and darkness, which was much less fun. On the other hand, I finally declared "I am no longer guilty for anything I have eaten or will eat this weekend." Which was just as well since we recovered with delicious Thai food (I nearly fell asleep at the table) followed by churros and Glühwein at the Christmas market in town.

P.S. Maybe my favourite picture of the day:
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Photos of me by Albert

coat: Spitalfields market, scarf: some shop in North Vancouver circa 2006, tights and boots: gifts, skirt: Zara (last year), sweater: charity shop, hat: Desigual
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53 comments:

  1. caitlin5 December 2011 at 17:26

    gorgeous. sigh. i hereby vow to visit germany in the near-winter. those twilight photos are stunning. and just as stunning--that coat! i love it!

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  2. Chaucee5 December 2011 at 17:28

    These photos are beautiful!
    Also, I have been confused for a while. Are you an American studying abroad, or are you just traveling, or did you move abroad?

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  3. Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys5 December 2011 at 17:38

    @Chaucee: Well for a start I'm Canadian. ; )

    I live abroad... last year I was studying in the UK, but I've been living abroad for several years. Currently I live in Barcelona but my boyfriend lives in Germany so I visit often. But maybe I should do an "about me" page one of these days! : D

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  4. Anonymous5 December 2011 at 17:44

    Wow I'm speechless that castle is so beautiful, totally Disney princess worthy! You look so beautiful love the mint sweater!

    Cess O. <3 The Outfit Diaries

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  5. Rachel, Cold Knees5 December 2011 at 17:50

    Oh wow when it's lit up it really does look like a Disney castle! That coat is gorgeous. I love the colours of your outfit too, the mint green, and the pretty scarf. Boo to cycling in the rain though. xo

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  6. Cat5 December 2011 at 17:57

    I'm so jealous of your lovely life. While you were enjoying the Rhineland, I was revising for my Wills exam :( !! On a lighter note, your coat is amazing - Spitalfields is such a treasure trove! Love your photos and glad that someone out there is enjoying December the way it should be enjoyed (i.e. not doing exams)!

    Cat xxx
    http://www.takecourageblog.com/

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  7. Arielle-HumblePieVintage5 December 2011 at 18:08

    What a beautiful castle and scenery! I love your scarf too :)

    -Arielle
    www.humblepievintage.com

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  8. Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys5 December 2011 at 18:12

    @Cat: Oh, poor you! I'm definitely very lucky this December... although I will say I was working like a mule last month!

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  9. Agnes Deer5 December 2011 at 18:19

    What a wonderful place! So magic! Mmmm... Love Glühwein :) Love your coat!

    http://fromheretofashion.blogspot.com

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  10. welldressedmaker5 December 2011 at 18:53

    I am jealous of your castle adventures almost as much as I am envious of your ridiculously cute skirt.

    ♥ laura
    the blog of worldly delights

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  11. Zane5 December 2011 at 19:19

    beautiful photos

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  12. Vanessa, Take only Memories5 December 2011 at 19:47

    Oh I love your coat! And the castle is gorgeous! I'd like my own castle :)

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  13. Julia Topaz5 December 2011 at 20:17

    Superbly jealous, as always. I feel you on the bike ridin'. Once my study abroad friends and I thought it would be a good idea to bike ride between chateaus (uphill the whole way) in the Loire Valley. But I don't think it was 8km (I'm rusty on metrics though); nor was it raining, dark, or December, so you deserve all the Thai food you can eat!

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  14. Meli5 December 2011 at 20:29

    That sounds like a fantastic day, and the photos are gorgeous!

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  15. Ashley5 December 2011 at 20:30

    Ohhhhh yes! I love me some castles! :)

    I loved that you used the word "ascertaining." Pretty sure that was on my 10th grade spelling test. :P Maybe that will my word of the day.

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  16. Amber Schmidt5 December 2011 at 20:42

    Where in Canada are you from? I'm going to Quebec this summer.

    ps: I just want to spend a day out on adventures with you.

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  17. Celia5 December 2011 at 20:49

    Such a beautiful place, looks like a dream! I also like to pretend I live in any pretty castle I visit.
    It sucks about the bike ride, but good food makes up for nearly everything.

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  18. Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys5 December 2011 at 20:50

    @Amber Rose: I generally call Vancouver home, but these days most of the family is in Hamilton, Ontario, so that's where I spend my holidays. I've never been to Quebec but would LOVE to go... lucky you! I'll let you know if I end up there this summer!

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  19. Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys5 December 2011 at 20:50

    @Amber Rose: I generally call Vancouver home, but these days most of the family is in Hamilton, Ontario, so that's where I spend my holidays. I've never been to Quebec but would LOVE to go... lucky you! I'll let you know if I end up there this summer!

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  20. Amber5 December 2011 at 21:04

    Oh my its so pretty! maybe if we pool our money we could afford this place. :)

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  21. JazmineKariss5 December 2011 at 21:04

    These photos are absolutely gorgeous
    -Jaz
    http://www.fluffyfashioncents.blgospot.com

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  22. The Blossom Shed5 December 2011 at 21:45

    No one does Christmas like Germany (and Austria:)

    Beautiful pictures, what a special place!

    The Blossom Shed

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  23. Emily, Resplendent Tranquility5 December 2011 at 21:48

    Oh, how fun! There are too many good things in this post to gush about them all. As we know, I tend to go on and on ;) I will, however, say that the 9th photo is absolutely stunning. Who gets credit for that one? You or Albert?

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  24. Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys5 December 2011 at 21:53

    @Emily: I belieeeeeve that was me! But Albert may contradict me, there was a lot of camera passing after the memory card of his filled up!

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  25. Raquel5 December 2011 at 22:55

    Ha these photos and day look amazing, apart from the rain biking part. But I really love the photos and agree that the last one must be my favourite too.
    I passed by some of your coat's siblings yesterday ;)

    PS: I never get guilty from eating too much this time of the year!

    PPS: Are you going back to Barcelona before going to Canada?

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  26. Jenelle Witty5 December 2011 at 23:29

    So so lovely, what a fun day. Great photos! Magic.

    http://shutmyeyescantfindthebreak.blogspot.com/

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  27. Annebeth5 December 2011 at 23:54

    dude this post wasn't that long! I wished there were more pictures, they are so fairytale esque ish y etcetera, super christmassy!

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  28. chantilly6 December 2011 at 00:37

    oooh, perfect skirt and scarf! i love the way it all combines with the mint color of your sweater.

    x

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  29. Closet Fashionista6 December 2011 at 01:02

    Oooh!! That castle is amazing!! I want to live there, haha. So so so beautiful! I need to move to Europe when I become rich and famous and buy a castle like that :)
    And I love that last photo too! GORGEOUS :D
    http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

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  30. The Semi Sweet6 December 2011 at 01:48

    Ahhh....So pretty!!!! That castle is so picturesque. I'm sorry to hear you had to ride back in the rain, but I'm sure the trip was worth it in the end:)

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  31. maggie6 December 2011 at 01:55

    Germany is so beautiful, I wish I will be able to visit there one day! I love your outfit~

    xx maggie
    saltandleather.blogspot.com

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  32. Elanor6 December 2011 at 02:31

    these photos are beautiful. :) i just love that castle! i would probably enjoy exploring it. your coat + scarf + hat are my favorites. xxx

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  33. Monique6 December 2011 at 03:27

    wow that castle is amazing to say the least...what a fun trip, rain and all.

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  34. Jul6 December 2011 at 15:09

    My gosh, this castle is gorgeous! I love visiting castles, I wish one day will visit this one too. You look great, it was so unexpecting (in a good way, of course) to see such coloured skirt and sweater underneath that grey coat :)
    Life is a romantic poem

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  35. Alex, Speaking Denglish6 December 2011 at 16:38

    Gah your photos make me love Germany more than I already do - so beautiful, green and castles all around!

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  36. Valerie Enríquez6 December 2011 at 18:05

    I love the rhine. I used to dream of it before I visited, although I never made it past koln. I always wanted to see the lovely castles :)

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  37. Maria Ramona6 December 2011 at 20:23

    that's the beauty of living in europe-- you can get to another of country in a matter of hours and by train! i've got travel envy right now. :)

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  38. YEYE STYLE BLOG6 December 2011 at 21:38

    These pictures are wonderful! Love your little skirt so cute!

    :)

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  39. NRIGirl6 December 2011 at 21:58

    Somehow the first few pictures where the tower got cut off didn't quite settle well; however the night light picture eased it all.

    Oh! Yes, I loved that scarf. Would have loved to see Albert too... :)

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  40. Jenny6 December 2011 at 22:08

    This is the best mega post ever! What a magical looking castle. And your outfit is quite fitting for the occasion, bundled up all nice and warm in your coat.

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  41. Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys6 December 2011 at 22:33

    @NRIGirl: I'm not just narcissistic... Albert doesn't allow me to put pictures of him on the blog any more! Apparently "now that people read it I don't want to be on a fashion blog." Hehe, can't say I blame him! :D

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  42. summertime dreams7 December 2011 at 03:48

    Mmmm... Gluhwein! Jealous! I actually saved a bottle from my trip just for this winter :) Can't wait to open it up!

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  43. rose japan7 December 2011 at 05:07

    Hi, These photos are beautiful!this castle is gorgeous!
    beautiful clothes. kisses
    rose-in japan

    http://www.life-vida-rose.blogspot.com/

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  44. Amrit7 December 2011 at 06:47

    Great pictures. :)))

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  45. Christina7 December 2011 at 07:27

    These photo are so beautiful! The castle is wonderful and you look great! :)
    Thanks for your comment very much,I'm gonna go browse the rest of your posts now! :D

    Have a nice week my dear!

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  46. amy7 December 2011 at 08:58

    I absolutely adore your blog and your style!

    I love how you layer - bringing me inspiration for my Winter :)

    sending you happy spells

    amyflyingakite.com

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  47. Josie7 December 2011 at 13:42

    How magical! xx

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  48. Anthea7 December 2011 at 19:48

    What a beautiful post! That first picture is so stunning. You're so lucky to see all these places!

    Anthea,
    Embracing Style

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  49. Virginie's Cinema8 December 2011 at 18:17

    That post is simply magical! The pictures are gorgeous, promise I can come visit when you move in next year!

    The castle is breath taking and I adore your outfit, the coat is beautiful and I love a light skirt with darker tights for the Winter (stealing the inspiration!).

    Boo for the cycling in the rain though, huh.

    Virginie ★

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  50. Teddi8 December 2011 at 18:35

    your outfit, & your adventure look like a fairy tale come to life.

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  51. Katrina9 December 2011 at 15:29

    These pictures are like a fairy tale! And your outfit is too perfect for castle viewing. ;)

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  52. Unknown11 December 2011 at 15:40

    Wow looks amazing, I want to live in a castle, preferably a heated one with a moat.x

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  53. Unknown14 December 2011 at 00:38

    I want to go there! It's so beautiful! You also look very lovel, I love your coat and that lovely scarf!

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