Fee Fi Faux Fur

All thrift.

I have owned two fur jackets for quite some time now — they both are real, but vintage, so I think it is acceptable. Well kind of, so I used to only find myself wearing them to costume events dressed up as a flapper or a girl from the 70s or New Years Eve type things. But now, all of a sudden I have embarked on my first winter peppered with Siberian winds, in a place where it is really okay to wear fur — because you know, it makes life a lot warmer. So the other night I wore my fur out and I got no weird stares or red paint thrown on me, in fact I almost crashed into a girl in the subway wearing pretty much the exact outfit as me. I wonder if she was wearing a velvet dress with sheer sleeves and a bustier top underneath too? Anyway, I think I am going to wear this guy more often, am I terrible?

Another thing I always wanted, but definitely didn't have the guts to wear, was one of those Russian-esque fur hats. NYC was cold, but I still always stuck with a black or tan knit beanie, even when some brave hipster girls started wearing them. I secretly wished I could do it, but my big head would never fit into one of those vintage numbers. But the other day I purchased this furry guy, who is definitely faux, but not in that really fake looking way. It's big enough for me and keeps me oh so warm, and I like that it doesn't actually look like a fur pill box hat.
                    
Oh what is that crazy over-sized leopard print sweater thing I am wearing, you ask? Well, it is a little cardi I just got at H&M. It looks like leopard is really in my closet to stay. Let me give you a closer look....

H&M sweater, Aldo boots, the rest thrift.

Oh and while we are on the topic of funny headwear, this is my new turban from ASOS that I have been alternating with the fur. 

Lanvin for H&M

Stopped by H&M to peek at the Lanvin collection yesterday and shared some thoughts over at Bang Bang Berlin. Photo from Jak and Jil.

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.

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.