Perfection in Berlin

Sometimes an over-dramatisized vintage look (I would actually venture a guess that nothing she is wearing is actually vintage, but that is not the point) doesn't work and sometimes it does — case in point. I mean, it is amazing, even the Vespa goes. Isn't she lovely? And hey, the photo is of a fraulein in Berlin. Have to admit I am missing that place a bit these days. What do you think of this Berlin beauty? Are you keen as I am?

Photo via GlamCanyon.

Goodbye Berlin

Ich liebe diche.

Little Things I Love About Berlin...

...Frischer Minztee. As the countdown to my European departure gets closer and closer I think it is time once again to start celebrating the Little Things I Love about Berlin. It wasn't until I came to Germany that I saw and tasted one of these yummy concoctions. Fresh mint, hot water and honey makes the most simple, delicious and refreshing tea I have ever had — and they serve it everywhere.

One of my favorite places to enjoy the steaming goodness is sitting on the dock at Badeschiff looking out at the water after an evening dip. Oh I am getting sad just writing this, well at least fresh mint tea is certainly something that is not too hard to recreate stateside, minus that pool in the river that is. 

My Blue and Gold Sunshine Day

Yesterday was a perfect day and my brother's last in Berlin. Although I was sad walking home after saying goodbye this morning, I am happy that we ended on such a high note — we road bikes, ate delicious food, listened to live music, played more cards, laughed and soaked in the sunniest day this city has seen in quite some time. 

I tried my hand at the blue and gold trend with a vintage polka-dot cropped blazer paired with my new silk Topshop top and the necklace I bought at the Mauerpark Flea last weekend. Certainly a more subdued version then some of the ladies I blogged about, but without their inspiration I might just have just thrown on a white tee underneath. Boring.

Berlin Weekend Roundup: Ping Pong, Cards and Karaoke

This was the first proper weekend I have had in Berlin in quite some time, and the first my brother has had since two summers ago, and it was a proper Berlin weekend indeed. The sun was shining (I have gone back to wearing cut-off jean shorts pretty much every day, with tights yes, but still, shorts), the skies were so blue (see!), everyone was out and despite the still chilly crispness in the air, we did all those outdoor things (biking and ping pong!) that make me love this city. Sadly, I also had the realization that I better get out of here quick before it actually heats up (and I can take off the tights) and the warm weather Berlin attitude kicks in and I start regretting my decision to leave — I really do love this city in the summer...almost as much as I love New York.   

The photos above were taken yesterday at and on the bike ride to the Mauerpark flea market — where it seems everyone else in the city went as well — to peruse the goods and take in some serious outdoor karaoke. Do you see how many people are sitting and watching in that pic up there? Yeah that is for karaoke, pretty insane. So all in all a fun weekend with my bro, but one that had a bittersweet undertone as the number of weekends left in this city widdles down to just a few. 

It all went something like this: greek chicken for three, juice for one, wine for one, dinner party for four, weird, Joaquin Pheonix documentary (warning: do not watch this!), doubles ping pong at Görlitzer Park, yummy street food, German card game and hot chocolate then dinner at Edleweiss, Hearts at a bar across the way, late night ride home, sleeping in again, long ride to Prenzlauer Berg, coffee and ice cream, flea market, ring, necklace and tote bag purchase, karaoke amphitheater, short story tears, Vietnamese food, Portlandia.

Random Sunday

WEST BERLIN—Young people in a park, 1965.

Never Before Seen Summer Footage

I have been going through my old photos today trying to make some space on my computer and I came across these never before seen outfit shots from last summer. I remember the night perfectly, it was August and it was my boyfriend and my year anniversary, and I was annoyed that I had to wear tights because it was a wee bit chilly. But it ended up being not so bad (in fact lovely) and I took them off in the bathroom at the restaurant where we ate dinner before we went out dancing all night. Oh what I wouldn't give for a wee bit chilly summer night like that one right about now...

Or what about a night where it is so hot, so late, that you can be out in a dress without a sweater and awkwardly pose in front of a beer ad, yes, with a beer (only in Berlin)! Or what about a day that is so sunny you have to squint and wear a hat to protect yourself. My oh my, winter I think I am over you.

Back to Reality

In just a few hours, after an almost three week holiday, I will be on a plane headed back to reality in a state of confusion about that said reality and what the future will hold. I honestly have no real idea of what 2011 will have in store and where I will be at the end of it all. But as confused as I am and as sad as I am to leave the Bay Area, the beautiful weather and all the people I love here, I am excited to get back to writing, cooking, exercising, and blogging about the little life I have made for myself in Berlin, oh and living it too. So once again, see you on the flip side. Oh and I also can't wait to show you all my amazing SF thrift store finds!

Berlin's First...Vietnamese Sandwich

First it was the taco, now another one of my favorite street food delights has finally hit Berlin. I mean a girl can only have so many kebaps, right Berliners? This city has plenty of Vietnamese restaurants — one that I go to all too often being right next to my boyfriend's house — but the Vietnamese sandwich is a whole other story.

It brings me back to the summer I first moved to New York City: waking up sticky with humidity after a long night out on Rivington Street, nothing was better than dragging myself to 1st and A to devourer a Vietnamese sando and slurp down a Vietnamese coffee from my favorite little hole in the wall. The intense spiciness and ultrasweet caffeine was a cure to rival the best of them (a jump in the ocean). Oh the good old days...


But now Sugarhigh has informed me about Babanbè at Oranienplatz, yes, Berlin's first Vietnamese sandwich shop. I can't wait to try it out and isn't it nice to talk about food now that all this fashion mumbo jumbo is over? I even have a recipe to share with you in the works...

Walk of Shame

Leather jacket (second hand Buffalo Exchange NYC), cropped black top (H&M), leopard print skirt (thrifted Humana in Prenzlauer Berg), brown bag (thrifted Humana at Alexanderplatz), black loafers (Jumbo Second Hand Berlin), broken umbrella (borrowed from my boyfriend)

Now that I am no longer squating at my boyfriend's apartment, I get to not only enjoy my own space and free time, but also the dearly missed walk of shame. You know, when you decide to sleep over after a Friday out on the town and get to walk home the next day wearing the outfit you wore the night before, with makeup dripping down your face, and in this lovely case, in the pouring rain with a broken umbrella. Just like the good old days.

I should have known it was going to be a doozy of an evening by the antics on the ubahn on my way to meet friends — there I was just sitting quietly minding my own business and these crazy kids are having a moving party dance all around me. Oh Berlin, you are a city like none other. And yes, that is a stereo in a baby carriage with a disco ball. And yes, it is perfectly acceptable to drink and blast techno music in transit if you please.

Dad Week Roundup

WARNING: This is too long for a blog entry. I know, but I really like my dad.

I missed last weekend's roundup as my dad arrived in Berlin on Monday and I haven't had time to post anything but fashion tidbits since. I took some time off work to hang out with my pops and although you would think that would mean a little r&r, nope, not with that guy. Getting older means slowing down for some people, right? Well, my Dad is keeping up if not leading the best of us when it comes to getting the most out of a city in a small amount of time. He and his little map took me to historical parts of Berlin I never even knew existed and I was a tourist once again. Sorry to all my friends who have visited, apparently you did not get the whole tour.

We ended up walking around so much that by the end (or maybe even middle) of each day my feet hurt and my legs ached, yet I woke up early (even earlier than I would for work!) and did it again each day. Minus the clubs and bars, my Dad pretty much saw all you can see in this fair city. And fair it actually was — the four days my Dad was here were sunny and warm, probably the best weather Berlin has seen in months. Can you believe it? Up until the day my Dad arrived, it had been gray and rainy and has of course gone back to it since he left.  I can just hear what he will say to me every time I complain about the terrible Berlin weather from now on... But I wouldn't take it back for a second, I think we ate almost every one of our meals outside. I even got to wear my favorite article of clothing, shorts!

But by the time he left on Friday I was completely exhausted, physically and emotionally, and just sad to see him go. Sometimes after a parent visits there is a sense of relief when you can go back to your life and quit entertaining, conforming, justifying, clarifying (or whatever mode your 'rents force you into). But even though we get on each others' nerves only the way family can, having my dad around gave me a kind of happiness I don't get too often here in Berlin — the pure comfort and trust of having known someone forever. We talked about family, life, politics, love, all with the city of Berlin as our backdrop. If there is anyone who is looking out for me in this world, it is certainly my dad. He (and the rest of my family) mean more to me than just about anyone and this trip meant a lot for us both in many ways.

Not only was it the first time in my adult life that my dad spent four days in my world, my world happens to be a world that collides with his in a way that none of us would have ever expected a few years ago. While we were here my dad got to see the apartment his mother grew up in before she escaped Germany during WWII when she was just 13 years old. We all wish we knew more about her time with her parents as a young girl, but those memories were not often shared. Seeing the home and the city where they took place was an obviously emotional event for my dad, and it would have never happened if his daughter hadn't of fallen in love with a German and decided to move to her grandmother's hometown. Funny how some things come full circle. And on that note, my Dad also got to meet my boyfriend for the first time...and it went better than I ever could have expected. In my Dad's words "I am so happy that Megan found such a good fellow." Yup, my dad is the kind of guy who says "fellow" and I love him for that, among many other things. Here is a peek at his trip and what I wore of course.

My step mom, the lovely Jackie, joined us for a day before she went to Sweden to visit a friend.

The German History Museum

The Holocaust Memorial

 My dad in front of his mom's home in Charlottennburg.

You can take the S-Bahn 30 minutes and be at beautiful lake like Schlachtensee.

Prenzlauer Berg: Tan cropped shirt (H&M), rose trousers (thrifted Humana in Freidrichshain), brown bag (thrifted Humana at Alexanderplatz) belt (vintage Garage Berlin), brown booties (Beacon's Closet NYC), sunglasses (Neukölln Flea Market)

You can't visit Berlin without playing ping pong.

Shorts in Victoria Park! Boots and blazer (Thrift Town San Francisco), white silk shirt (thrifted NYC), pleated khaki shorts (thrifted NYC), brown bag (thrifted Humana at Alexanderplatz), sunglasses (Neukölln Flea Market)

Berlin Street Style

Here is one more photo from Vanessa Jackman (maybe my new fave street style blog?) taken during Berlin Fashion Week in July, because with all this talk of fall and the gusts of wind outside my window, I had to sneak in one last little dose of Berlin summer. Not to mention, this chick's style is enviable and totally doable. 


Everyone in Berlin wears H&M, including myself, which was not alway the case. They really are better here, I swear. And the thrift/vintage is not, so for those of us who are not made of money, H&M it is. But the key to wearing the same clothes as everybody else, is making it look like you are not. And this beautiful blonde does just that. Paired with the absolute perfect accessories — clubmasters with chains (uh yes!), chunky gold watch, vintage (I think) brown belt and bag — and the absolute perfect shade of orange lipstick, who would have ever thought that there are thousands of other girls out there who own this little H&M dress.  

*This dress may in fact be from Zara, but it is the same deal, just tack a few more euros onto the price tag.

Berlin Weekend Roundup

It all went something like this: I moved in with my friend Erin in Friedrichshain.

This photo was taken back in March — little did I know it was right across the street from my future home. Looking at this pic now and writing this from my new kitchen in between gazing out at my new amazing view is getting me excited about all the new adventures and exploring that is to be done in my new neighborhood. New, new, new! I can't wait to tell you all about it.

Random Sunday

BERLIN—1999.

Random Sunday

WEST BERLIN—1965.

Berlin Weekend Roundup

Karsten and Megan, August 7, 2010

As I said earlier this week, a year ago I first came to Berlin and in turn met Karsten. So this weekend we did a little celebrating with a special dinner followed by a night dancing with our friend Anne. Berlin is a casual city and although we go out to dinner all the time, it's not usually the fancy kind of foodie restaurants New Yorkers are used to. The cuisine here is fresh and delicious and amazingly affordable, so you don't have to pay a lot to eat well. 

But we took it up a notch on Saturday night and got dressed up and went to Nansen — a restaurant on the canal that I always ride by — and had a "proper" NYC style dining experience with a bottle of fancy wine and steak (I dismissed my red meat ban for a few bites of his and it was so worth it). And even with all that it still had its Berlin low pressure vibe and only cost us 60 euro, somehow a fortune for this city. In other food news, sadly I did not find my taco truck, but we still managed a great weekend that included the fab dinner and what seems to be our new Sunday tradition.

It all went something like this: Anne meetup #1, rainstorm, early Ä Bar, early early bed, house cleaning, failed search for taco truck #1, flea market, cat painting purchase (more on that later), dressed up bike ride, dinner at Nansen, Anne meetup #2 at Konrad Tönz, dancing at Cassiopeia, Sunday breakfast, failed search for taco truck #2, Badeschiff Sunday swim, replacement taco dinner, True Blood.

Happy Anniversary Berlin!

Tegel Airport, August 5, 2009

One year ago today I stepped down on Berlin soil for the first time and was picked up by my brother Michael in his hooptie with the license plate GR81LVR "The Great One Lover" that he actually got for free (only Michael, only in Berlin). Despite the passenger door not being able to open, I certainly had something to smile about.

But little did I know how huge the adventure I was embarking on would turn out to be — that a two month holiday (see I really am European now) would soon turn to three and a trip back for Christmas and in the end an indefinite move. Little did I know I would fall in love with a city and a person (I met Karsten the next day) and everything would change. This photo, shot with my bro's phone after he stuffed my suitcase in his trunk, shows the excited face of someone on the brink of something monumental — I can feel my blind anticipation.

It's crazy to think this was just a year ago because so much has gone down since then. But at the same time, I can recount every detail of that day and the days to come like it just happened, from what I was wearing, to what we talked about, to how I felt about it all. I still daydream about those moments constantly. Is that weird?

I know I am lucky to have had such an amazing experience and even luckier that a year later it still continues each day. Thanks for everything Berlin!

Berlin Weekend Roundup

A wonderful thing about the summer in Berlin is that the weekends are often absolutely perfect, with perfect weather and relaxing/or not fun throughout. This one was certainly no exception, especially because the fun started early on Friday afternoon. Despite that, now that it's August I can't help but feel a little bummed out that the summer is ending. But I just have to remember I still hadn't even arrived in Berlin at this time last year and I still felt like I had a whole long amazing summer then. So I am sure there are many more weekends like this one ahead of me.

It all went something like this: bike ride, lunch on Bergmannstrasse, antique perusing, ping pong, pool, pizza, True Blood and Ben & Jerry's, house shopping, very "European" BBQ on the river, meat fest (I'll take the mushrooms please), weeping willows, beautiful moon, serious conversations, serious fun, too much talk of Burning Man (on my part), Michael Jackson "Thriller" dance, violins, sleeping in, avocado toast in bed, Badeschiff, swimming, reading in the sun, sushi, sleep. 

And to continue with the tradition of last week I will tell you the very simple recipe (if you can even call it that) for one of my favorite things to eat. Pictured above (not the meat). So simple, easy, healthy and good.

Avocado Toast Ingredients
Wheat bread 
Avocado 
Tomato 
Red onion 
Cucumber

Directions
*Cut everything in thin slices
*Toast bread
*Spread avo on top of like cream cheese and add all the vegis. 
*Sprinkle with salt, pepper and chili flakes. 

Olafur Eliasson: Innen Stadt Außen, Berlin

My first Olafur Eliasson experience was gazing at his Waterfalls in New York as I rode the Q Train over the Manhattan bridge to work every morning — certainly making my daily commute a little more bearable. My second was yesterday a little later in the morning here in Berlin, the city that both Olufar and I call home.

The photos above were not shot with a Holga or altered by Photoshop, but taken yesterday in the depths of three large smoke filled rooms in the Martin Gropius Bau Museum that made me feel like I was in another, very colorful, dimension. Olufur plays with the use of color and light throughout the exhibition, offering many chances to feel as if you've entered an alternate universe — video, mirrors and shadow make you second guess what you are really looking at. It was all a playful way to start my day that added a little bit of fun to what could have been a regular morning — just as his waterfalls did in NYC but with a very Berlin twist.

Innen Stadt Außen is only running until August 8th, so if you haven't seen it I suggest you get on it. More details here.

Berlin Weekend Roundup

This weekend started out the complete opposite of last weekend: mellow and cold. With all the activity and heat of the past days, staying in and wearing a sweatshirt was actually a nice change. But things picked up when at the last minute we decided to go out on Saturday and ended up having one of those nights I always equate with NYC, where you end up in random places you never planned having fun you never expected. Love when that happens, but still my favorite part of the weekend was making dinner before we went out. Despite the cold we decided to barbecue on the balcony and I introduced Karsten to the world of watermelon salad: a weird and wonderful place where watermelon is mixed with feta, olives, mint and more. Sounds crazy I know, but for some reason the combination is amazing. I included a recipe below and highly suggest that you try it if you never have. As for the rest of the weekend.

It all went something like this: staying in, tuna melts, David Lynch, house shopping, Baltic Sea booking, balcony bbq, watermelon salad, random Neukölln party/show, dancing, Konrad Tönz, Club der Visionaere, sleeping in, breakfast/lunch in bed, Neukölln swimming pool, water slide, Vietnamese food, reading, bed.

Ingredients
3/4 cup halved, thinly sliced red onion
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 1/2 quarts seeded, cubed watermelon
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup pitted black olive halves
1 cup chopped fresh mint
2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions
*Place the onion slices in a small bowl with the lime juice. The acid of the lime will mellow the flavor of the raw onion. Let stand for 10 minutes

*In a large bowl, combine the watermelon cubes, feta cheese, black olives, onions with the lime juice, and mint. Drizzle olive oil over it all, and toss to blend. Dig in and be prepared for a pleasant surprise!