Adventures in Cologne: Design, Delights, and ATM Disasters!
Hey there, design darlings!
Let’s rewind to our Cologne escapade, where Eddie and I, two design junkies, hit up IMM Cologne (Germany) design week like it’s our personal playground – because, let’s be real, it practically is!
The show was an absolute blast, brimming with inspiration, beautiful galleries, dream stores, and enough Red Bulls to fuel a small army. Oh, and did I mention Eddie’s chance encounter with Timothy Oulton? (There’s a separate blog post on that juicy tidbit!)
Now, let’s talk about the pièce de résistance of our Cologne trip – the awe-inspiring Cathedral. Standing tall and proud at the heart of the city, this Gothic marvel is not just a sight to behold but a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance. Fun fact: it took over 600 years to complete this architectural masterpiece. That’s six centuries of dedication and craftsmanship poured into every intricately carved stone.
Fast forward to our encounter with one of Cologne’s vintage thrift stores – talk about a treasure trove of gems! We were like kids in a candy store, except instead of candy, it was racks upon racks of retro threads just waiting to be found. Needless to say, we may or may not have left with armfuls of quirky finds that may or may not have caused a bit of a stir when it came time to settle our overweight baggage at the airport.
But hey, nothing could prepare us for the cold slap of reality – literally, it was freezing! Thank goodness for extra layers and designer scarves to fend off the chill. And then, there’s our dining disaster: Eddie and I waltzing into what seemed like the swankiest restaurant in town, ordering up a storm, only to realize most places don’t take plastic. Cue the frantic dash through the streets, burning off those fancy meal calories faster than you can say “oops!”
Lesson learned from our Cologne escapade: never underestimate the power of design, thrift store finds, or the importance of carrying cold, hard cash – especially when dining in style.
And just when we thought our adventure couldn’t get any wilder, fate decided to throw us a curveball. Little did we know, our journey back home would be fraught with uncertainty as Covid-19 reared its ugly head, threatening to ground us in Cologne indefinitely. It was a nerve-wracking race against time, but thankfully, we made it back home safe and sound – albeit with a newfound appreciation for life’s unpredictable nature.
Until our next escapade, stay stylish, stay savvy, and above all, stay ready to laugh at life’s little curveballs.
With love, laughter, and a side of design drama,
Netali and Eddie
