Pink tutu

Actually, I have already posted my Pink Saturday post which you find right below (comments there are very welcome). However, this morning I received a lovely email from my friend Tracy from South Dakota, telling me how much her 3-year-old daughter Lily loves her new pink tutu. She had posted a couple of photos on her blog, so I couldn't help making a little collage of them and sharing it with you.

Most of you have surely heard about the One World One Heart event. I was lucky enough to win one of Sadie's prizes. At first there was a bit of a confusion about who won which one of her prizes, so Sadie kindly let me choose between a handmade bar of soap and a tutu. While I certainly appreciate handmade soap like everyone else, the decision wasn't hard at all -- I asked Sadie if she could make a pink tutu for Lily. She loves princesses and recently went to her first dancing course. Naturally, a tutu was very high on her wishing list, and I am glad to have had the chance to make this little girl happy. A big thanks to Sadie for giving away that amazing prize -- please be sure to visit her shop. She makes the most wonderful tutus in nearly all colors. Who knows? That might be the perfect gift for a little girl in your life.

Cloudy sky & pink orchids

It's Pink Saturday again -- the lovely event organized by Beverly. Last week was my first Pink Saturday. It was great fun to see so much pink all around -- I wish I had managed to visit the blogs of all participants. Well, there's hope for today!

Anyway, before we get to the real thing -- the real pink that is --, I want to see you Friday's dramatic and cloudy sky shortly before sunset. Can you make out the hint of pink in the clouds?

However, what would Pink Saturday without something really pink? Lately, nearly all my orchids started to bloom again -- and most of them have blossoms in various shades of pink. Aren't they just gorgeous? I love the silky textures of the petals and the luscious colors.

Hackerbrücke and an old post office

Last week I had to run an errand before celebrating Mardi Gras in Munich. I took the train to Hackerbrücke (Hacker Bridge).

At the corner of Hackerbrücke and Arnulfstraße (Arnulf Street) there is a building with a glass facade which mirrors the buildings around.

However, I like the old post office nearby best.

The relief sculptures on the facade are very pretty and some show when the building was erected -- in 1926.

I just love the elephant.

Finally, here's a peek into the the courtyard -- what a stunning ceiling!

My first Pink Saturday

Finally, I have mustered up enough courage to take part in Beverly's Pink Saturday. Beverley wrote:

"Pink represents beauty, love, friendships and a common hope shared by almost everyone around the world."

Isn't that great? During my walk around Munich on Mardi Gras, I took some pink photos. In case, you want to see some more Mardi Gras photos, please click here. Anyway, one of the best costumes I saw that day were the two ladies wearing matching Hello Kitty outfits:

Isn't that wild? Another woman wore a really hot pink outfit:

I also saw this "I Love You" heart that day:

However, the best pink photo I took at that day was the one below. Are those pink gnomes in a jewelry store window one of the cutest things you saw in a long time?

Some of you surely know about the One World One Heart event. Yesterday I posted the necklace to my winner Elaine -- in a little, hot pink organza bag. I sure hope she will like it.

Mardi Gras in Munich

While Munich isn't one of Germany's main cities when it comes to carnival celebrations, Mardi Gras nevertheless is a welcome occasion to come together in the city center between the Marienplatz and Karlsplatz. Last year it snowed on Mardi Gras (you can see photos from that day if you click here), but this year the sun was shining. Thus many people flocked to the Faschingstreiben (carnival celebration) in Munich's pedestrian zone.

I had pondered wearing my hair in a Gibson Girl style...

... yet finally settled on this look with a butterfly and dragonfly in my hair:

Are you ready for Mardi Gras in Munich? Perfect! Let's start at the Marienplatz (Mary's Square) with the New Townhall which was decorated with colorful flags. In the background you see one of the towers of the Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Blessed Lady).

Here's a close-up of the famous carillon:

The New Townhall is a very interesting building with many intriguing details. Here you see one of its sides...

... where strange critters live:

Even a dragon lives in magic Munich:

The Old Townhall has a magnificent clock:

If you look towards the street Tal (valley), you see the Heilig Geist Kirche (Holy Ghost Church) with its beautiful facade...

... and the all-seeing eye on the very top:

There's a Spielzeugmuseum (Toy Museum) nearby...

... and a statue of Juliet:

However, you are here for the Mardi Gras fun! So let's have a look at the costumes and masks. There were quite a few animals around. Mice.

Roosters.

Paradise Birds.

A cute little dragon.

A tiger man and a tiger boy.

I also saw mythical beings. Medusas.

A leprechaun.

Some witches.

Then I met a lovely Renaissance couple...

... a king...

... and Sissi herself (or whatever).

I even ran into Jack Sparrow.

So many ethnic groups were about. Guys from Africa...

... China...

... and Mexico:

I even saw cavemen.

And then there were clowns.

And a carrot.

And this completely wild scrap woman.

Now it's time to for one last look back towards Mary's Square -- right into a confetti shower:

Are you ready to walk through the pedestrian zone to Charles Square? No? Do you first need some food? Okay, no problem! Here's a demon cooking up some hot food:

Or would you rather have some candy?

What about a candy apple?

Maybe you want to try something typical for the season -- a Krapfen.

Now you are fit for the walk! Let's go -- just follow the lady with the flower hat.

There are fun things to discover along the way. Balloons.

Masks.

Even the lamps wear masks.

Just follow the crowd.

Wave to the lady selling confetti.

We also pass the Frauenkirche on our way.

On a building there's a man carring a tower. That's a reminder of the Kaufinger Tor -- a former city gate which was torn down in 1807 because the town was growing so much.

On our way we pass another music stage. There's music practically everywhere -- and all those great smells!

Slowly we come nearer.

In the distance you can make out the Karlstor (Charles Gate).

And here it is finally:

In the foreground you see a fountain -- the fountain boy all covered in ice. Yes, it was cold that day!

A clown hanging at the Karlstor greets people.

From the Stachus (that's how locals call the square) or Karlsplatz you can see the Palace of Justice.

However, that's not why we went here. We want to see Lou Bega!

Lots of people had gathered for the concert.

Then he finally came -- Mambo Nr. 5 was in the air!

Are you ready for some music now? Just click on the movie clip and get a feel of the atmosphere of this sunny Mardi Gras in Munich: