Chic winter girls

Europe in general have been incredibly cold these last two weeks, in fact they say that Italy is experiencing one of its coldest winters in 30 years. I also happened to be in Berlin for one of the coldest weekends ever, I think at one point it was about - 18'degrees or something.  All I know is the weather made me feel hysterical  for most parts of my weekend. What fascinated me most was how the Berlin girls managed to look so chic even in the coldest of weather. I of course was the opposite of winter chic, I piled on everything  I had in my suitcase. I call the look yeti-chic, the many layers causing me to also walk like one too. Winter 1: Edna 0

Snowflakes, Berlin

Berlin in the winter

Around the Berlin Cathedral

Berlin in grey

Quick Berlin Guide

This is a little late but I've been away, but here it is :)

Berlin is a big city and not easy to immediately get a feel for especially when staying only a few days. With big modern buildings and wide streets and a very extensive public transport system it can be quite overwhelming at first,  if it rains it can be grey and with its history a little heavy; but with some wanderlust and some tips from people who know something one will definitely discover what everyone is going on about.  I decided to write a little quick Berlin guide to narrow it down at least a little bit 

1.        All trips is better when done with a partner in crime –  a besty  is the best travel companion and can  turn even the grey days into fun.

2.       Cheap accommodation – a trip always feels more successful when the accommodation offers value for money, in this case we felt very content with our hostel Amstel House. One gets a double room at 17.50 euro  p/p a night, with clean facilities, very sociable  foyer and bar. It is situated in the more quiet Alt-Moabit area and is close to a metro which makes it easy to get around.  

3.       Do pack an umbrella and a coat, it was in the middle of July but we had two days of cold wet weather.

4.       Kreuzberg, a hip, grimy area with quaint cafe’s, vintage shops and design and fashion concept stores. The most people here dress in vintage and that weird mix of trashy  I would compare to the band Die Antwoord.  In this area you can find all the things deemed cool on hipster blogs: old records, vintage, craft, design posters and cafe’s with mismatched antique furniture.  We were particularly drawn into one which also happened to show a Bollywood film in the background.  It is also close to the area Friedrichsplein which is full of nice places to dine and has beautiful trees.

5.       Mauerpark market – where you can find amazing second-hand clothes and stuff. I for instance found the knitted waistcoat for 3 euro, leather bag for 8 euro and this very different necklace .

6.       These paintings by Caspar David Friedrich at the Alte Nationalgalerie.

7.       Berlinishce Galerie for contemporary art and also to go see a permanent collection of the Fluxus movement.

8.       While going to the Alte National Galerie also go hang around in the park at the Berlin Cathedral. Such a beautiful place.

9.       Hamburger Bahnhof museum – lots of art which can be considered the start of contemporary art as we know it today.

Ps: Stole some layout from Miss Moss, although mine is slightly cluttered in comparison, love that blog.

Berlin: Singing in the rain

I actually have a lot more to post about Berlin but tomorrow I am going away and will not have access to my computer. Will post more when I return. I am dancing because I am so happy I am seeing my parents and sister tomorrow. (This is my attempt at making a good old cheesy gif, its bad but its a first).

Berlin: Singing in the rain

I actually have a lot more to post about Berlin but tomorrow I am going away and will not have access to my computer. Will post more when I return. I am dancing because I am so happy I am seeing my parents and sister tomorrow 

Berlin: Kreuzberg

Berlin: Tea with Lise

Day 2: Having tea on the way to Schloss Charlottenburg

Berlin: First Impressions

- At the Berlin Wall -

One great thing about living in Europe is that it is so easy to travel around. With our summer holidays here I am taking the free time to do just that. This pas week I met up with my best friend in Berlin. After everyone has told me about how amazing the city  it it seemed right to go see for myself.  

My  besty Lise and  I met up at our hotel as we both got to Berlin  at night.  My flight got delayed which got me arriving at the hotel at 1 am. The excitement when two friends who have not seen each other in a few months  is one magical thing that this earth offers us, and so it was for us. Having too much to talk about (as it goes one always ends up talking in the dark) we ended up falling asleep just before dawn. We arose the next morning after the cleaning lady knocked on the door. We rushed to finish considering the fact that we are in another city and fought of the rain and freezing wind like true determined tourists. Like all typical tourists we headed for the centre first.

 Berlin is a big city and not easy to immediately get a feel for, this is especially true for the centre which has big modern buildings and wide streets. It was pouring down and so cold and we have not yet had breakfast, this made us feel unwelcome in the city at first. We rushed in to a place that offered food and tea and after that we rushed towards ZARA who had a sale to see if we can find perhaps another jacket. Warmer and fed we  felt more courage to trump the weather and go see what the city had to offer.

Berlin can seem very grey at first, there is the Holocaust Memorial, a beautiful land art piece but kind of depressing, then you find Check Point Charlie and the remains of the Berlin wall. This combined with bad weather was about enough that we could take and we ended our day with a piece of cake and tea at a Starbucks of all places. The cake did not disappoint. After that we accidently stumbled across the area around Alexanderplatz and Hackescher market where you find the Dome and the museums and green gardens. Even in the greyness we were convinced, we actually do like Berlin. We ended our day in our hostel room with Prosecco and a kebab and  with the good conversation and giggles only a best friend can offer...

Berlin: Something modern - something old

Berlin: Death of Umbrella

First day in Berlin we had a freezing wind and continuous rain - my Woolworths umbrella has seen its end.