Inspiration, Trends & Recipes

I wasn’t much for sports as a child. Whenever it was time for gym class and the teacher announced that we would be “playing softball”, “playing basketball” or really playing anything that involved a team and a ball, I was not a happy camper. I preferred dance, crafts or coloring… Fast forward 20ish years and I was dating a soccer fan who loved German soccer and knew so much about it… and I knew jack sh*t. I would assume that I’m not the only person out there that would like to be more knowledgeable about the team that my date and other friends love so much.

1. The World Cup has been awarded every four years since the inaugural tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946 when it was not held because of the Second World War.

• There are two significant German Shepherd breed standards in the world – the European FCI German Shepherd breed standard and the American AKC German Shepherd breed standard.

When the Krampus Movie came out in 2015, I pretty much knew that it was going to be... not great. I'm not a huge fan of horror films to begin with, but I do love fantasy and I do love Krampus. The 2015 film, Krampus is classified as fantasy, comedy, horror. I first watched it together with my husband at our home. I wasn't super enthused about the choice, but... I had the last pick and he sat through Trolls, so... I watched the Movie Krampus. 

German Dumplings are one of my favorite things to eat. I've never met a Knödel I didn't like. From Semmel to Potato, Zwetschgen to Leber... I seriously love them all and today, I'm sharing recipes I've found on how to make dumplings. 

Not too long ago someone posted on the Rare Dirndl Facebook page and asked this question: "Is anyone offended if a non-German wears a dirndl? It spared a long conversation about the history and tradition behind a dirndl. In this blog I expand on that conversation and share my beliefs.

I have been celebrating Maifest here in Chicago for years and years! It is held in Lincoln Square, usually around the end of May/beginning of June. It is not an extravagant fest for the city, but in towns throughout Germany it is a wonderful spring festival not to be missed. Traditional garb is worn by the residents and festival goers, parades take place including horses and decorated wagons and traditional dances are performed. At first it was celebrated as Maypole Day, and the Maypole dance is also a main attraction for locals and guests. 

Today is National East Meets West Day and learning about cultures outside of my own is one of my favorite things to do... and then mixing them is even more fun!  

The obvious places to wear a dirndl are German festivals like Maifest, Frühlingsfest and Oktoberfest, as well as German club picnics and events. But what about stepping outside of the “dirndl comfort zone” and trying something new and maybe a little unusual? The following are 7 great, kinda weird, but totally fun places to wear your dirndl!