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.

Shopping Lockdown

After spending way too much time and money shopping in the past few weeks and every day our bedroom looking more and more like a women's clothing store, I have put the kibosh on buying any new clothes or shoes until the seasons change (mark my words Karsten!). It will be tough I know, but I think I can do it — especially with the support of all my recently purchased items from Berlin thrift stores and H&M of all places. 

I definitely have a new found or maybe simply a found love for H&M since I moved to Europe. I swear it is so much better over here that it makes it almost worth the risk of wearing the exact same thing as someone else in the street. Another theory is that the thrift stores in Berlin are about the same price as H&M so I am no longer going to them for basics — just unique vintage pieces — and am buying my necessaries, plus a few goodies I find in the mix, at H&M.

So here are the goods:

*Maxi leaf-pattern button skirt: thrift Alexanderplatz Humana (this fall I have decided that I am going to dress like your 3rd grade teacher).
*Gray booties: on sale at Zara 
*Over-sized cropped tees in tan and black: H&M (so good with anything high-wasted)
*80s pattern pleated cotton pants: thrift Alexanderplatz Humana (the absolute perfect fit and comfort and not too saggy in the butt. But I think I might not have the balls to pull off the pattern with confidence, so am thinking of dying them a shade of blue).
*Sleeveless white button-up blouse: thrift Alexanderplatz 
Humana (just what I was looking for).
*Black A-line skirt: H&M
*Gray drawstring pants: thrift Alexanderplatz Humana (obviously I am into super comfy pants lately, but I have to figure out how to wear these without them looking like pajamas).
*Black platforms: H&M (these were a splurge that I normally wouldn't have gone for, but once they were on my feet I knew there was no turning back.  I'm in love).
*Tan vintage tee: in the 4 euro bin at Glad I Never (a cute little new design, vintage and second-hand store where yes, you can get things for 4 euro. And aren't the cut-out shoulders fab!).
*Black & white razorback striped tank: H&M

Listening to the new Arcade Fire album "The Surburbs" on NPR. Thoughts on that later.