Welcome to the Collected Favorites! This is an updated version of my Monthly Newsletters. I am embarrassed to say I have only had one newsletter posted, and that was in November of 2024. Life happened, and well, I also started working part-time and did not put enough effort into my blog last year. However, this year I am determined to write more and produce more newsletters. The purpose of Collected Favorites is to share a few things that stood out to me, whether it’s from an article I have read or wrote, travel tips, life living abroad, and what I’ve learned thus far, or just any simple life joys- anything we are currently enjoying right now.
So grab a seat, take a peek at what favorites I’ve collected, and maybe you’ll find something you’ll enjoy too.
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Collected Favorites:
2026 Word of the Year
New Year, new goals, new word of the year. I actually didn’t set any goals for the year. If I do, I follow through the first few days, and then, life happens, and you know the drill with goals afterwards. At least that’s been my experience.
However, I have been seeing a lot of people post about their 2026 Word of the Year, which I wanted to follow suit, but I just couldn’t settle on one word. I settled on a motto, one that I have been using since December, on my husband when he was so stressed on the day I took him out for his birthday celebration, and he just could not deal with the fact that he was not in control of the surprise I had for him. So I told him, “Go with the flow.” This stuck with me, so I decided to bring this motto with me into the New Year, as 2026 is gearing up to be one heck of a year.
For the Home
↠ Have you heard of Cluttercore? Apparently it’s a thing. I do have a sort of a clutter problem, and part of my goal this year is to organize some of those clutter while also working on getting rid of things we don’t need. However, I love antiques and don’t always know how to decorate with all of the antiques I have without making my home look like it’s a mad house.
↠ If you plan to deep clean your couch, which I really should, I looked up an article for it, so now I’m sharing it with you:
Time to deep clean your couch for the new year. Here’s a good article for how to do so.
Health Finds
↠ Dry January has also been circulating around my feeds. I shared on my instagram about an Alcohol free winery we stumbled upon last February.
↠ Winter blues is such a thing, believe me, I go through it yearly this time of the year and I still haven’t mastered winter in Germany.
- However, here’s an article that sheds to light 9 Ways to Embrace Winter—Even if You Think You Hate It
- If you’re looking for a Happy Light, which I recommend during the winters and the lack of sun, this Happy Light from Amazon.com is rated pretty good and decently priced. My therapy light I ordered is no longer available, but I still use it and recommend it.
Life in Germany
↠ Christmas is still not over in Germany until the Epiphany, January 6, so there are quite a few Christmas Markets still going on until January 5. Here is one market still open:
↠ Epiphany Day: On January 6, Christmas ends on Three Kings Day (Tag der heiligen Drei Könige or Dreikönigstag – also known as Epiphany in English). On this day, children will go door to door dressed as the 3 kings and will sing carols collecting money for charity.
Here is a wonderful article explaining Three Kings Day.
Travel
↠ Looking for travel inspirations for Spring Break or April timeframe? CN Traveler’s has some ideas to share for April inspirational travels.
The best places to visit in April: 31 inspiring destinations
↠ Lonely Planet also has some destinations to travel to for 2026
I surprised my husband in December with a birthday overnight getaway to Frankfurt, Germany. We stayed at a Hilton just right outside of the city and had a relaxing time.
Food
We love Thai Mango Sticky Rice, but eating out and buying this dessert is just costly, so while my college daughter was home for the holidays, she always request for this, so I made my own this year and it did not disappoint.
Here is a quick and easy Thai Mango Sticky Rice I made.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this year’s first newsletter!
Until next time friends! Bis zum nächsten Mal Freunde!
