More about Ella Maria

Hey there! I’m Ella Maria. “Ella” is actually my nickname — my full name is Elisabeth, and Maria is my middle name. You’ll find me as Ella Maria across all my social platforms. The “Just” in Just Ella Maria simply means… it’s just me. This space is about everything that matters to me — the things I care about, the topics I’m passionate about, and what’s on my mind. I share it all honestly, openly, and without filters. In this post, I want to tell you a little more about who I am, what makes me me, and give you a peek into the heart behind this page.

I’m a bit of a perfectionist and a total aesthetic freak! Alongside fashion, everything pumpkin spice, coffee, and mental health, I also love rearranging my furniture, redecorating my space, and constantly reinventing myself. I get excited really easily — like, to the point where it might actually scare people a little. When something grabs my attention, I go all in. I pour my whole heart and soul into whatever it is I’m passionate about.

I’m a loyal soul — I’d do just about anything for the people I love. And honestly? I have a really hard time saying no when someone asks me for help. If you get to know me, you’ll quickly realize I’m basically the definition of: obsessed with home decor, beauty products, photography, crafting, and—let’s be real—a little bit scatterbrained and just the tiniest bit forgetful. Add to that a deep love for beautifully plated food and a slightly intense obsession with organization and order. Oh — and I’m also a total, hopeless klutz. I have a real talent for bumping into things, knocking stuff over, and tripping over… well, everything.

LOVE TO EXPLORE

In general, you could definitely call me a travel junkie. I used to travel even more than I do now, but the love for it is still very much there. I’m often on the go, exploring as much as I possibly can. Whether it’s city breaks, beach getaways, or just a relaxing weekend at a wellness hotel — I try to travel as much as time allows. One of my personal goals is to explore more of Germany. I’ve seen a handful of cities already, but there are still so many more on my list. There are even a few places I’ve visited more than once — like Cologne, which completely stole my heart. It’s such a beautiful city with so much to offer, and it’s officially become my second favorite city in Germany, right after Munich. I truly love being on the move and discovering new places, and I hope to share many more travel stories here — and hopefully take on some bigger adventures again soon.

Back in 2019, I traveled a lot internationally — if you’re curious, feel free to check out the Travel section of my blog! You’ll find blog posts for every trip and city I visited, all organized chronologically and linked for easy browsing. Honestly, it’s super convenient for me too — I love going back to those posts to relive the memories now and then. Since 2023, I’ve been in a long-distance relationship, which means I now spend every bit of free time I have in the U.S. — specifically, in Los Angeles, California. That doesn’t leave much room for other travel (at least outside of the U.S.), but honestly, I don’t mind. I’m currently in the process of relocating to the U.S., so it feels like the perfect time to really get to know what will soon be my new home. As much as I love traveling and discovering new places, I also love being at home. I’m a total homebody at heart — and yes, you can be both a travel lover and a cozy-home kind of person.

FALL ADDICTION

Anyone who spends time with me will quickly notice — especially in the fall — that I’m a little (okay, maybe a lot) obsessed. Autumn is hands down, without a doubt, my absolute favorite season. And honestly? It has been for as long as I can remember. I’m head over heels for pumpkins — they’re easily one of my favorite veggies. I love the soft, golden sunlight of early fall, and when the leaves start to change color and gently fall from the trees? I couldn’t be happier. I adore that time right after summer when you can finally start pulling out light coats, leather jackets, boots, and scarves again. I look forward to it all year long. Long walks through the woods, down cozy little streets, or around castle grounds are my favorite fall rituals — and I love discovering new hidden gems along the way.

I love trying out new, delicious recipes that are perfect for fall. Not just pumpkin everything (though yes — always pumpkin), but also hearty casseroles and cozy stews. That kind of food just hits differently this time of year, and I enjoy it so much. Fall also brings back my love for baking — something I barely think about during spring or summer. But once autumn rolls around, I start digging through old baking recipes, tweaking them, and coming up with brand-new favorites. That’s how I ended up creating what I’m convinced are the best cinnamon rolls and the most incredible pumpkin pie ever. Oh, and when it comes to finding everything pumpkin spice in stores? I’m undefeated. Honestly, at this point, I could probably list “pumpkin spice scouting” as one of my official hobbies.

For me, fall has this absolutely magical feeling — something that enchants me every single year and makes me feel like I’ve slipped into a completely different time and world. I love everything about autumn and all that comes with it. I love it so much, in fact, that I named my dwarf hamster Pumpkin and always dreamed of getting married in October. Of course, I do get a little sad when — as it often happens here in Germany — the crisp, golden days suddenly turn gray, rainy, and windy overnight… and just like that, winter starts to creep in. And while I do find a lot of beauty in winter too, it always breaks my heart just a little when it’s time to say goodbye to fall.

COFFEE JUNKIE

I am a total coffee addict! Coffee reaches places motivation doesn’t even try to go. How do I take my coffee? Constantly. Without it, I feel depresso — because let’s be real, the only fairy that actually exists is the coffeee. Coffee doesn’t talk, it doesn’t complain — it just gets the job done. A yawn? Just a silent scream for coffee. And the answer to “What are we doing today?” is almost always: “Turning on the coffee machine.” “The coffee’s brewing — that’s as sporty as we’re getting today” is basically a lifestyle now. And if you ever bring me coffee without being asked? Instant favorite. Sometimes, I even bring myself coffee in bed. Look at me being romantic! There are days when I’d happily snort coffee grounds just to get it directly to my brain… or whisper: “Come on, coffee, let’s run away to the beach.” But hey — as the saying goes: Tea warms the heart, but coffee warms the soul. Coffee just makes everything better. Now if anyone can tell me how many times I said the word “coffee” in this post… I owe you a cookie. Oh — and fun fact: the lethal dose of caffeine is around 200 double espressos. Consider this your friendly little PSA — just in case someone needed to hear it.

I love coffee — especially a good espresso or a creamy cappuccino. But above all, I’m obsessed with iced coffee. No matter the season, even when it’s freezing outside, I’m still ordering it iced. There’s just something about sitting at Starbucks, Dunkin’, or a cute café — preferably outside — and watching the world go by. I love doing this with friends or my husband, but every now and then, I’ll go solo to just let my thoughts wander and give my soul a little break. There’s honestly nothing more relaxing to me than enjoying a really good cup of coffee in peace. Over on my Instagram (@justellamaria), I share my daily coffee moments with you — whether it’s a cute coffee-on-the-go or something freshly made from my machine at home. And every time, I’m blown away by your feedback! Turns out, I’ve got quite a few fellow coffee lovers following along, which makes me so happy. Because yes — I truly believe coffee connects people.

THE WIFEY

I’m a total romantic at heart. And I don’t just mean the love I feel for my husband — I’m talking about the love I have for my family and closest friends, too. I’m a deeply loyal soul, and once someone earns a place in my heart, they have it forever. It takes a lot to truly upset me or lose me, because when I care about someone, I care with my whole heart. There’s honestly nothing more special to me than spending quality time with the people I love. That said, I’m also pretty introverted — so as much as I enjoy being around my favorite people, I definitely need time to recharge afterward. Except for my husband — he’s the one person who actually recharges me just by being there. Finding someone who feels like the ultimate “nonplusultra” package? It’s rare. And they’re not always just around the corner. I found mine on the other side of the world. It hasn’t made things easy, but when you find a person like that, you hold on tight and never let them go. And that’s exactly what I did. Now we’re married — even though we’re still living apart for now. But I’m currently in the process of moving to the U.S., and soon, we’ll finally get to start our future together.

Unfortunately, the pace of modern life has so many of us constantly stressed — rushing from one appointment to the next with way too much on our plates. And I’m no exception. That means I don’t get nearly as much time with my family and friends as I’d love to have. I have so much love in my heart, and I’m always eager to share it with the people closest to me. I’m a peaceful person at my core — I truly value harmony. I can’t stand drama or conflict, whether it’s around me or between people I care about. I always try to distance myself from it as much as possible, because drama just isn’t my thing. Over the years, that’s meant letting go of some friendships — not out of anger, but simply because I have no desire to be surrounded by constant tension or negativity. That said, I’m not someone who stays mad for long. I forgive easily, almost too easily. Unless you really cross the line — then, as the saying goes, “the ship has sailed.”

VANILLA GIRL

One thing you definitely need to know about me: beige is my comfort color. When someone asks me what my favorite color is, I always say “granny beige.” It usually gets a few confused looks, but I don’t mind. What I mean by that is a cool-toned, soft beige — kind of like the one you see in the photos above. That is my absolute favorite color. That, and white — although technically, white isn’t even considered a color (but it totally counts in my book). Funny enough, I didn’t even realize I was a Vanilla Girl until 2024. I had no idea there was an official term for this aesthetic — but hey, you learn something new every day. And once I found out, I fully embraced it and made it part of my brand. There’s even a dedicated Vanilla Girl category right here on the blog — and let’s be honest, if you follow me on any of my social platforms, you can definitely see the vibe. I even wrote a Vanilla Girl Aesthetic Guide, and if you’re not totally sure what that term means, there’s also a post on the blog that breaks down all the different Girl Eras — because let’s face it, there are a lot.

Basically, being a Vanilla Girl means having a simple, clean style that revolves around neutral basics — especially shades of white, beige, and earthy tones. And that’s so me. It’s not just about fashion, either — it applies to home decor and pretty much everything else in my life. As long as it’s light, beige, and bright, I’m happy. I always joke that I’m allergic to color — but honestly, it’s kind of true. Bold colors like red or royal blue actually give me a headache. I totally appreciate them on other people, but when it comes to my own space, I just feel so much more calm and at peace surrounded by natural, muted tones.

ANIMAL LOVER

I also have an incredibly big heart for animals — all animals. From tiny mice to majestic elephants, I love them all! Okay… except for spiders and a few creepy crawlies (I’m honestly the complete opposite of a fan there). But every other creature absolutely has my heart. I try to donate to different organizations and rescue groups as often as I can to help animals in need — it’s something that’s really important to me. If I had the time and space, I’d probably have a full-blown zoo at home — seriously. Sadly, I’m allergic to quite a few animals, which honestly feels super unfair considering how much I adore them. Still, I was lucky enough to fulfill one of my biggest dreams: becoming a pet mom. When I was around 8 or 9 years old, I had a little mouse as a pet, and later in life, I ended up with some fish (which, to be honest, were kind of pushed on me). But getting a pet as an adult? That’s a whole different experience — and one that means so much more.

On February 17, 2023, I gave a little Dzungarian dwarf hamster a home. Her name is Pumpkin, and her official fur color is actually called “orange” — so yeah, it couldn’t be more perfect. And honestly? I have to say — she chose me, not the other way around. I didn’t go out with a plan to find a hamster with a specific look or gender. It just happened. While all of her siblings ran off to hide or burrow, she came straight up to me like she knew we belonged together. She reached out and grabbed my finger with her tiny little paws — and just like that, I was done for. Instant heart melt.

And even though Google says dwarf hamsters only have an IQ of around 20, I’m convinced my Pumpkin had at least 40. She was incredibly smart and learned so many little tricks. That was our way of communicating — and she knew exactlyhow to let me know what she wanted. She also loved spending time with me, always wanting to cuddle or play — which is actually super rare for dwarf hamsters. Most of them prefer to be left alone, but not Pumpkin. I always joked that she probably didn’t even realize she was a hamster. She just didn’t act like one — in the best way possible. Dwarf hamsters live for about 2.5 years on average, and my goal was always to give her the best little hamster life this world had ever seen. Sadly, on January 7, 2025, Pumpkin crossed the rainbow bridge and made her way to hamster heaven. Losing her broke my heart in ways I can’t even explain — and I’ll miss her forever.

BEAUTY ADDICT

One topic that will never be overlooked on my blog is beauty. In many ways, I’m a total girly girl — even though I’m not afraid to roll up my sleeves and get my hands dirty. I’m 100% that “do it yourself” kind of woman. That’s mostly because I’ve always had to figure things out on my own. Support wasn’t something I could rely on often, so I learned to be independent early on. I take care of almost everything myself and always try to handle things solo first. Only when something really doesn’t work out do I ask for help. If you only knew how many DIY and home projects I’ve tackled — with my dad on the phone coaching me in the background, haha — you’d probably be impressed! But at the same time, I love all things beauty, skincare, and cosmetics. Especially skincare — that’s my true obsession. If you’ve spent any time on my blog, you’ve definitely seen how much love I put into that topic. Of course, my approach to beauty has evolved a lot over the years. Back in the day, I’d run to the drugstore and buy everything new, every limited edition, filming huge haul videos and showing off all the products. That was just where my interests were at the time. These days, my beauty interests have matured — and so have I.

Over time, I’ve really shifted into only buying beauty products I actually need — and I only repurchase things when they’re truly empty. Every now and then I’ll test something new, but honestly, not very often. For the most part, I always go back to the tried-and-true favorites that I know work for me. It’s kind of wild how much age and experience can shift your mindset. That said, some things never change — like my love for haircare and nails. That part of me is here to stay, no doubt about it. I’ve always been curious to try new things, too. For example, I tried microblading back in early 2019, and even had it refreshed three years later. I was also really into eyelash extensions for quite a while — they were a big beauty obsession for a few years.

I'M A FOODIE

Another one of my big passions? Food. I’m a total foodie and love to eat — and honestly, I think that comes across pretty clearly in a lot of my photos, haha. Even though I’ve gone through a major weight loss journey and worked hard to shed quite a few pounds, my love for good food — especially beautifully plated food — has never gone away. And I’m really proud of that. Balance is the key! I’m especially obsessed with Mexican food. Oh Dios mío! I’m pretty sure burrito could be my middle name at this point. But really, I’m in love with everything the Mexican kitchen has to offer. That said… ever since marrying a Mexican, I’ve realized I might not have actually known what real Mexican food even looks like. Because let’s be honest — what we call “Mexican” food in Germany? Yeah, it’s not quite the same. Fun fact: I hate spicy food. So yeah… super fitting for someone who married into Mexican cuisine, right?

I’m also a huge cheese addict. I absolutely love cheese in every form, and honestly, if a dish includes cheese, it’s instantly 10x better. It just can’t be bad — it’s scientifically impossible (in my world, at least). But I’m equally obsessed with hearty stews and traditional Bavarian comfort food. And when it comes to fast food? Yep… guilty as charged. Say what you want, but it’s 100% my guilty pleasure — and I’m not even a little ashamed of it. Balance is what matters most, and that’s the approach I live by. Also, full honesty? I need pizza at least once a week. If I don’t get it, I get grumpy. I always joke that my diet is 75% pizza — and while that’s definitely an exaggeration… it’s also kind of not. When it comes to food, I could talk forever. Seriously. Seasonally, I’m obsessed with asparagus and all things pumpkin. There’s just nothing better than shopping seasonally and locally — grabbing fresh, high-quality ingredients from the little farm shop around the corner. I try to do this as often as I can. It’s not always easy to stick to, but I do my best — and it’s always worth it when I can make it happen.

THROTTLE THERAPY

I hope you have something in your life that feels like therapy. Something that gives you a sense of freedom — a space to process, reflect, recharge, and just be. Something that brings you joy and genuinely does you good. For me, that something is motorcycling. I got my motorcycle license back in 2012 — over 12 years ago now. My first bike was a secondhand Kawasaki. Fast forward 11 years later, and I finally bought myself a brand-new motorcycle: a Triumph. And even though it was a lot of money and it stung a little when I hit “send” on the transfer… I have to say, I’m so proud of it — and I love her completely. Definitely one of my best decisions. Riding is truly like therapy for me. Especially when I’m going through something, it helps clear my mind like nothing else can. I put on some music (don’t worry — not too loud, I always keep an ear out for traffic, just like in the car), and I just hit the road.

I’d be lying if I said my helmet hasn’t heard me scream or cry. There’s just something about putting it on — the moment I strap it in place, it’s like all the negative thoughts just disappear. They get silenced automatically. When it comes to riding, I’ll be honest — I’m not exactly the role model you should follow. So no, don’t take notes from me here. I try to be as careful as I can, both for myself and everyone around me… but I’m also someone who rides more often without full protective gear than with it. Say what you will — I know it’s not great. But for me, riding with full gear makes it harder to move, and I just don’t feel as free or comfortable. When I’m on the highway or doing proper long-distance rides, I absolutely gear up — no question. But for short, local rides? Not always. Let’s just… leave it at that. There’s one specific place I go to all the time in the summer — it’s a small hill near the airport. I usually toss a blanket, a drink, and a snack into my backpack and spend a few quiet hours there, just watching the planes take off and land. It gives me this deep, peaceful sense of calm — and in that moment, everything just feels right.

BODY CONFIDENCE

And speaking of food — for many years, I loved food a little too much. Eventually, I lost my sense of balance and connection to my body. The collage above shows a pretty powerful comparison. The photos on the right are some of the very last taken before I finally decided to pull the plug and take back control. In August 2019, I wrote a blog post about my weight loss journey — and to this day, it remains one of the most personal and emotionally difficult pieces I’ve ever written. Even now, looking back, I still struggle with some aspects of it… but with time and distance, I’ve gotten better at talking about it. What I realized was this: I just didn’t feel comfortable in any area of my life anymore. And the only reason for that… was me. I was so angry with myself. So I made the decision — practically overnight — to change things. To start losing the weight, and more importantly, to find myself again.

After countless failed attempts to lose weight in the past, this time — it finally worked. In total, I lost almost 110 pounds (50 kilos). And now, many years later, I’ve only gained back a few of those pounds — but honestly? I’m completely okay with that. I’m happy with where I am today, and I wouldn’t change a thing. Looking back, I’m so proud that I made it happen. That I achieved one of the biggest goals of my life: to truly feel comfortable and confident in my own body — and I did it before my 30th birthday. Right now, I’m just… happy. I feel good in my skin, and it honestly feels like I’m finally starting to live life the way it was meant to be lived. Do you know what I mean? I’ve finally reached a point where I feel genuinely content, where I’m proud of myself, and where I can do — and wear — whatever I want, without hesitation.

FASHION ADDICT

Because of my weight loss, I didn’t just have to completely revamp my wardrobe — about five times over — I also finally rediscovered my love for fashion and got to fully embrace it for the first time. Fashion has always fascinated me. Even as a little girl, I’d flip through my older sister’s magazines and be totallycaptivated by everything style-related. But before my weight loss, I didn’t have a lot of freedom. I couldn’t wear what I wanted — I wore what looked “flattering” or, more often, just what fit. Of course, no one was forcing me to — but truthfully, I wouldn’t have felt confident in anything else. Back then, body positivity wasn’t as present or accepted as it is now. Judgment was quick and harsh, and mentally… I just wasn’t strong enough for that. I’ll be honest with you. Most of the time, things just didn’t fit. Let’s put it this way: I didn’t have the confidence to embrace my body — mostly because I wasn’t happy with it. I was never someone who openly said, “Hey, I’m plus-size and proud.” Instead, I tried to hide my stomach and avoided cameras as much as I could. I rarely took photos, let alone shared them publicly. That only changed over time, as I became more active online — slowly sharing more of myself. And after my weight loss, everything shifted. My confidence grew, and suddenly I could express myself through fashion in a way I never could before.

So you can probably imagine how it feels now that I’ve reached my goal weight — or at least the weight I always wantedto be. For the first time in my life, I’d say I’m more or less slim (whatever that means — it’s all subjective anyway), and I actually feel good in my body. And now? I can finally buy and wear the clothes I’ve always loved. Things just fit, and somehow, they always end up looking at least halfway decent — which still blows my mind sometimes. I’ve become so much more confident and finally get to enjoy fashion the way I always wanted to. I wouldn’t call myself a fashionista — my style is still pretty basic — but I’ve definitely gotten more adventurous. And honestly? I like my basics. I feel completely at peace with them. And based on your feedback, it seems like you all don’t hate my style either — quite the opposite! So if you’re finding some inspiration in my outfits, that’s a total win-win in my book.