Greetings from Stuttgart, Germany!  I have been here for 6 days now.  

If you are new to the blog and need caught up, I am spending 3 months living in Germany for work.  I spent a couple of weeks here last fall, so I had a basic idea of what I was getting into, but living on your own in a foreign country (where you don't speak the language!) is quite overwhelming at times.  Luckily, I have made lots of friends over the last few months so there is usually someone around to help me.  

The first day I arrived, I spent my time sorting out mobile phone access, getting my train pass, and walking around to get a general feel for the layout of the city.  Luckily, I am living in an area that is very close to the city center and the public transit, so I can get around very easily.  The city lifestyle is pretty amazing, I love not needing to drive anywhere. What I don't love?  The fact that they used my god-awful passport photo as my transit pass.  

As you can see from my photos, the weather has been surprisingly good so far.  I keep hearing horror stories about the cold and the rain.  I definitely think those things are coming sooner than later, but for now I will enjoy the sunshine. Until next time!  

Over the Labor Day weekend, I found myself having a random day at home.  If you have been reading this blog for the last few months, you know that I spent the summer living in Portland, Oregon.  As of last Friday, I was officially done in Portland and made the long flight back to the east coast.  

The way that my schedule worked out, I had officially one day in my beloved Charlotte before leaving for a trip to Ohio to visit with my family.  Matt and I made a spontaneous decision to have brunch at 5Church on Saturday, we have been meaning to check the place out ever since it came onto the Charlotte restaurant scene.  Fantastic choice.  

The meal started with bottomless sangria.  Yes, bottomless.  And it was only $10 (I think?).  They also had bottomless mimosas.  Perfect way to begin brunch.  After going back & forth on the food choices, I ended up ordering the sunny side egg pizza.  Usually this comes with prosciutto as well, but I ordered mine without it. Mushrooms, cheese, herbs, and eggs, all on a thin crispy crust.      

Matt ordered the shrimp & polenta, which he absolutely loved.  

If you are in Charlotte - go to 5Church.  You won't regret it!  I don't know why the Urbanspoon rating is so low, we loved it.  I recommend making a reservation though, they were quite crowded.  

After brunch I wanted to walk around the city a bit so I could soak it all in.  We ended up popping into Bar Cocoa at the Ritz Carlton for a gelato.  I ordered the chocolate hazelnut, which of course was amazing.    

On a side note, I have been on a mission to clean out my closet.  I realized after spending 3 months living out of 2 suitcases in Portland that I have a closet full of clothes that are really old and I don't really wear much.  Exhibit A: the dress I wore on Saturday.  It still is cute, but this was the dress I wore to my wedding rehearsal dinner.  8 years ago.  I think perhaps I should buy a few new sundresses at this point!! 

And on another side note, one of the best parts of being back in Charlotte was getting to reunite with my little peanut, Sadie.  

Until next time friends!