Happy Sunday!

By the time you’re reading this, I’ll be on my way back to Montreal. And I have to admit that after nearly a month in Germany, it’s genuinely heartbreaking to leave. I do miss my boyfriend, my family and my apartment, but I’ve truly fallen in love with the city, the rhythm of daily life, and the routine I built here. It’s hard to let that go.

I know, logically, that all good things come to an end, and that I’ll be back in Europe before long. However, there’s something difficult about “creating a life for yourself” (in quotations here because I wasn’t there for long) somewhere new, only to pack it up just as it starts to feel natural. That sense of building habits, finding your places, and settling into a routine… and then losing it.

This isn’t my first time experiencing that feeling. I’ve done it before: back in 2013 during my first language exchange in London (and again when I moved there in 2019), then in Copenhagen for two months in 2023, and now in Hamburg. Spending a month or two somewhere, having places to be, and slowly “pretending” you’re a local.

So, with a bit of experience under my belt, I thought I’d share how I try to settle into a new place quickly. From the habits I built to what’s helped me along the way.

What I Wore This Week

A few things I quickly got used to over the past few weeks were: 1) the incredible spring weather, and 2) living out of a suitcase. It made getting dressed feel fresh and inspiring for the new season, but toward the end it also became a bit challenging because I got bored with the clothes I had.

I picked up a few new pieces while I was here, including this cute Charlior trench coat with a detachable hood that ties beautifully around the neck like a scarf. Otherwise, I tried to make the most of what I had by rewearing the same pieces in different ways. What really helped was sticking to a neutral colour palette (navy, cream, black and a few touches of pink and light blue). My rule of thumb was to always add one interesting detail because layering instantly makes an outfit feel more thought-out. That could be something as simple as a sweater tied around the neck or letting a cardigan peek out from under my coat at the sleeves.

Everyday Delights (or this time… my tips for settling somewhere new)

1 - Find out what the locals do…

In Hamburg, one local ritual is a visit to the Isemarkt, a market where you can find just about everything, from fresh produce and flowers to clothing and ready-to-eat food. It pops up several times a week beneath the train tracks, which gives it a really unique atmosphere.

I’ve been to markets in quite a few cities, but this one easily stands out as my favourite. It’s lively without feeling overcrowded, and I genuinely wanted to stop at every single stall. I ended up having one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever tasted at Daner’s Beef and Bread (and I’m clearly not the only one who thinks so, judging by the constant line), followed by some warm Kaiserschmarrn, yum!

2 - Find your everyday anchors

For this one, it’s really about recreating pieces of your everyday life in a new city. For me, that means attending Pilates classes in different studios. It’s always been such a great way to get out of the house and, sometimes, meet new people.

I tried a few spots in Hamburg, but the standout was a class I took last Sunday with my friend Marie, who was visiting from Amsterdam, at The Reformer Club. The studio is located in Speicherstadt (a UNESCO site, nothing less), set inside one of the area’s beautiful brick warehouse buildings, which already makes it feel special.

From the moment we arrived, the experience felt elevated: the reception team was incredibly friendly, the facilities were spotless (they even had Aesop products in the showers), the space smelled like fresh flowers, and they were even serving Franzbrötchen (the local Hamburg pastry) at reception, which felt like such a thoughtful touch.

While I did find the class itself a bit rushed, the overall studio experience was amazing. I only wish I’d had more time to go back and try a few more classes with different instructors. I also really loved the classes at Align Hamburg, Frame and Miel Studio.

3 - Make yourself at home

I’m a Cancer, so I’m naturally a bit of a homebody. Being in a space that doesn’t feel like mine can really affect me, especially on longer trips. When I stay somewhere for a while, I try to book Airbnbs that reflect my own aesthetic: spaces that feel calm, bright, and familiar. I’m especially drawn to top-floor apartments, where you can look out over the rooftops and enjoy plenty of natural light. That, more than anything, helps me feel at home.

I also love adding small, personal touches, like buying fresh flowers. I picked some up before my friend came to visit because I wanted the space to feel extra welcoming. One thing I’ve loved here is how affordable and accessible flowers are!

And then there are the everyday habits that help you settle in: going on long walks to explore different parts of your neighbourhood, getting the right local apps, and slowly finding your rhythm. I swear by Citymapper for getting around any new city, and my friend who was visiting introduced me to Drops for knowing when it’s about to rain and for how long. Genius!

This Week’s Edit

Sarah Pigeon’s style

Ever since American Love Story premiered, a new fashion icon has entered the spotlight: Sarah Pidgeon. From effortlessly cool off-duty outfits to striking red carpet moments, she hasn’t missed once. Whether she’s dazzling in Chanel at a pre-Oscars event or turning heads at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in custom Calvin Klein (a subtle nod to CBK), her style always feels polished and really on the moment. Credit goes to her stylist, Emma Jade Morrison. My favourite look was the pink Balenciaga dress she wore with an effortless Rhode beauty look.

Søstrene Grene

This shop is a bit of a staple across Europe, but if you’re visiting from elsewhere, it might be new to you. Originally founded in Denmark, it’s a charming lifestyle store filled with everything from birthday decorations and greeting cards to kitchen accessories, kids’ items, and stationery. Everything comes in soft pastel tones and playful floral prints. And best of all… It’s all very affordable. It’s easily one of my favourite places to wander and browse.

My Regards, Maisie Peters

I wasn’t very familiar with English singer Maisie Peters until her Australia tour, when she brought the girls from Shameless Media on stage for a dance. Ever since, the melody of her new song My Regards has been stuck in my head. I also really enjoyed hearing her on the Inherited Podcast. It’s such a cute, feel-good track that instantly lifts my mood.

StyleIn

On a more fashion-focused note, I’ve been loving the new spring collection from Swedish brand Stylein. It sits at a more accessible price point than many other Scandi labels, but still delivers beautifully made, elevated basics. I’ve also really enjoyed following founder Elin Alemdar on Instagram and seeing how she styles pieces from the collection. My standout pieces are the Jamila Dress in Off Pink and the Brienne Blouse (the latter may or may not have already made its way into my wardrobe).

Love, S.

Note 27 - Settling Somewhere New

Effortless & Edited

Note 27 - Settling Somewhere New

Note 26 - The HH Postcard

Effortless & Edited