The Best Gift Ever: Vintage Balinese Jumpsuit

My great friend Julia just got back from a trip to Bali, and although I seethed with jealousy every time one of her picturesque shots of a temple or beach came up in my Instagram feed, I have forgiven her for going without me thanks to this adorable blue jumpsuit she brought back. Just kidding of course, but I am pretty amazed by this little Balinese treasure and my friend's amazing eye.

First off, I am a clothes person, I spend way too much of my life thinking, trying on, buying and writing about clothes. And despite what some may think, what should you not buy a clothes person? Clothes. His or her taste is usually just too particular, mine included. But Julia went for it. And if someone did decide to buy clothes as a gift, what would be something most people would not go for?  A vintage jumpsuit is pretty risky — a pants one no less. Not only is it a particular item of clothing not too many people covet, if the fit is just a wee bit off it wont work, (I need not mention the dreaded camel toe). But Julia went for it. She knows me so well, because if anyone loves a jumpsuit, I am that girl. And not only did I love this one, but it fit. The whole thing was just spot on. 

So thank you Julia for going out on a limb in the gift giving department with the newest addition to my closet! 

PS. Check out my new DKNY wedges, pretty cute right?

Barcelona Weekend Roundup

Last weekend I went to Spain for the first time in about eight years and it felt just as amazing as it always did. I was born there and studied abroad there as well, so the country has always held a place in my heart and it made it even more special to be there with someone who does also.

  

We managed to pack a lot into our three days in the city and even though it rained a bit, it was still so much warmer than back in England or NYC. One day I got to wear a skirt without tights and always just my light military jacket. Amazing. So anyway, my dear friend Rachael used to lived in Barcelona and sent us off with a detailed email of where we should go according to her life there. So we followed her lead from Gaudí's Park Güell to an authentic Catalan restaurant on a tiny street to the "cafe" she used to work at. So nice to see the city from a local point of view, I only wished she was the one serving us our late night cervezas.

We also managed to discover some places on our own and with the help of the Internet of course (well I pretty much just followed along as he researched and lead the way) including an amazing tapas restaurant where we ended up eating two nights in a row because it was so delish (I've never done that before), a bar called Wow!, a pool table where you paid for a half an hour and played for how ever long (love Spanish rules) and an American-esque brunch spot (sometimes you just need a break from jamon y queso, no?). And of course we walked on tiny cobble stone streets, ducked into churches, drank cafe con leche at outside tables, strolled along the deserted beach and drank massive amounts of vino. What else do you do in Spain? 

Here are some pics. I know disclaimers are annoying, but I wish they were better. Granted it rained a lot (hence the weird frizzy hair) and I just wasn't in my normal excessive photo taking vacation mode, maybe I was simply too distracted with all the things above: 

Outfit: Skirt (Primark), cropped black tee (H&M), military jacket (Gap), booties (ASOS) and vintage bag (Beacon's Closet) 

Outfit: Shirt (Primark), vintage Levi shorts (thrift Berlin), military jacket (Gap), booties (ASOS) and vintage bag (Beacon's Closet) 

30 Days to 30: Day 7

Dress (vintage from a street vendor in London), belt (thrifted, Berlin), strappy sandals (Mango)

Pictures from an evening at the Brooklyn museum with the girls and Mitchell followed by a stop at our local watering hole, Washington Commons. Yes we were there the night before too. 

Mood: Confident but a bit bored. 

Progress: Woke up early and went on a 3 mile run around Prospect Park with Rachael — even with a hangover from last night's debauchery. 

Mentally: Feeling good after the run and excited about wearing this dress out for the first time, but still feeling a bit like something is missing. 

Physically: There were a few points in the run when I felt like I wanted to die (especially when Rachael made me do the stairs) but after I felt healthy, and incredibly hungry. Still no sugar!

Emotionally: Felt energized and happy, but the neediness from last night spilled over. I have been out so much with the girls since I got back and it has been great, but I think we are all starting to be in need of some male attention. 

Thoughts About Turning 30: A friend who I haven't seen since I got back from Berlin, who also happens to be a lot younger than me, met up with us last night. I invited him to my birthday dinner and of course he asked how old I was turning and when that 30 came out of my mouth, I all of a sudden felt old. His reaction was to say that I don't look it, which made me feel even older. What does 30 look like anyway?

Holy Passover!

Dress (thrifted Humana, Berlin), maroon flats (vintage Clothes Contact, San Francisco) belt (thrifted, Berlin), necklace (borrowed from Rachael) 

It is nights like the one this past Monday that make me so happy to be back in New York, even if I had never had a night quite like it when I was in the city before. I mean, I had Passover seders when my dad was in town, but it was nothing like 24 friends (many of whom had never celebrated a Jewish holiday before and one adorable little baby [in black] who had never celebrated a holiday before) getting together at one huge table for a traditional (semi) service and meal. 

My dear friend Rachael (who's living room I am sleeping in) decided to throw her first seder, and with a little help from the other roommates, she somehow pulled it off. There was delicious food to be eaten, wine (four cups, right?) to be enjoyed, some prayers, some reading and all around good fun, tons of laughs and the requisite late night dance party. I wore a dress that was one of my last purchases at Humana in Berlin (I think I might actually miss those thrift stores) with Rach's African necklace. At first it seemed like an unlikely pairing, but I am really into the bold pattern on pattern look, and apparently it works with jewelry as well. Might just have to steal it from her for the next holiday.

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.

The PDD

The Polka Dot Dress that is. As we all know, I have developed a bit of an obsession with leopard these days — but before my fondness for feline kicked in, there was another pattern that prevailed, and is still the most prominent print in my wardrobe. Yup polka dots, they have been all over the runway at Marc Jacobs and more this season, but I have always had an affinity for the polka dot, preferably the polka dot dress, and preferably the polka dot dress in blue, black or white (there I am wearing the maxi).

I purchased yet another (in the front) on my trip to London at this little makeshift vintage sale I randomly passed. Obviously from the photo of part of my collection hanging in my window (just an excuse to document the sun again), I do already have a few. But I didn't have a sheer mid-length one that fits perfectly with my new style for spring. Pretty amazing, right? I cannot wait until it gets warm enough to wear it. What is your favorite pattern?

A Ray of Sunshine on a Cold Day

Okay that title might be a bit dramatic, but this little purchase certainly made my otherwise depressing winter day, and despite the frigid cold there was actually sunshine out there. Anyway, as some of you may already know I have been on the hunt for a leopard print coat for quite some time now. But with my sudden decrease in income as well as the winter winding down (I wish), I had all but given up...until this afternoon that is. 

On my way to meet a friend for coffee (my new primary activity) I was riding my bike — quite fast I might add because it is too cold to be riding — past a little second-hand shop and there on the mannequin was a leopard print coat! I quickly pulled over, almost hit someone, and took a look. It wasn't the exact vintage one I was thinking about, but it was this season's Zara one below, and it was only 25 euro, and it fit, and now it's mine. A-MAZ-ING. 

Berlin Weekend Roundup: Staycation

Striped shirt (H&M), gold belt (thrifted ???), yellow skirt (thrifted Humana, Berlin), maroon flats (vintage Clothes Contact, San Francisco) grey sweater (thrifted Salvation Army, Marin) 

Coincidentally we decided to do some overindulgent spoiling of ourselves on what happened to be Valentine's Day weekend and booked a hotel here in Berlin for a little getaway in our home city. I have never had the luxury of doing such things until now (one of the benefits of living in cheap Berlin), so we found a deal and spent the weekend holed up in a hotel room watching movies on a big flat screen, drinking vodka tonics, hot tubbing, eating breakfast buffets and well you know hanging out in white bathrobes.

We did however get dressed up once to have dinner in the hotel restaurant and I happened to pack an outfit that mysteriously matched our room (they had yellow pillows and all). But let me tell you one of the best things about staying in a hotel all weekend: you never have to go out into the bitter winter cold. I was actually able to wear my new skirt without tights and just a little gray sweater in my bag. Okay, I won't go into the usual specifics but since it is Valentine's Day I will share one more photo and wish a happy one to you and the people you love.

Berlin Weekend Roundup: Back to Reality

It has been a long time since I have done a weekend roundup, probably because it has been a long time since I have had a weekend that wasn't so busy and crazy that there would be no way to rightfully describe it in a blog entry (i.e trip home, trip to London, fashion week) and after which all I could do was sleep. It has either been that or a weekend that was so completely dull that describing it I would certainly bore the hell out of you.

It has definitely been a strange last month, actually this weekend was the first one I have spent with my boyfriend since I went home for Christmas. It has been such a long time, I was starting to forget what it was like to be a couple. But luckily, I got a nice refresher course this weekend. And despite me being a little under the weather (I am blaming my weird face in the outfit photos below on that fact), it was so nice having things back to normal. 

It all went something like this: Valentin Stüberl with Anne, late night talk, sleeping in, trip to the mall, new shoes, quesadillas and home-made salsa, projector movie marathon, American Vogue, brunch at Sing Blackbird, rainy afternoon card game at Mano Cafe, Vietnamese food on Skalitzer, White Russian dessert at Hannibal.

Everything thrift except Pinkie boyfriend jacket

Oh and I need your advice on the skirt I am wearing: do you think I should iron out the wrinkles? They are supposed to be there, but I can't decide if I like them. I wonder if it is even possible. What do you think? 

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.

Berlin Fashion Week: Runway Inspired Vintage

Green and blue 1960s dress (thrift, Humana, Berlin), leather motorcycle jacket (Humana kids section), velvet boots (flea market, Berlin), bag (Maxx New York) 

Taking outfit photos is not the easiest thing in the world, especially when it's in the dregs of winter grayness, and especially especially when my boo is out of town. I mean, who else am I going to subject to such things? I managed to get a co-worker to snap at least one fashion week pic, and luckily I was in my favorite of my selected outfits, beating out some serious leather shorts and fur jackets. 

I got this dress right before BFW, and even though it was a little big and I didn't have time to get it taken in (I stick with hemming on my sewing machine for now), I had to wear it. I love everything about it from the silky material, to the bright pattern, the collar and the buttons, and how it reminds me of that Fall 2010 Proenza Schouler dress that everyone coveted, Alexa Chung included. Paired with my fave velvet booties (God I wish they were more comfy) and a biker jacket for some edge, it was the perfect last minute fashion week addition. 

via Jak & Jil 

via Google Images

By the Bay...

I didn't take that many photos on my trip home (too busy running around), and the ones I did were mostly of my nieces and the beautiful Bay Area scenery. Outfit photos were certainly not on my mind, my sister-in-law actually told that every time she saw me I was wearing the same thing (oh yeah the Fairfax pic below), which you would never believe by the size of the suitcase I brought with me. Does that happen to you to when you go on vacation too?

Anyway, I did change a few times — I wore a cute polka dot dress from H&M on Christmas, a black velvet pant jumpsuit on New Year's with the most amazing shoes my friend Bryn bought me (pics to come) and later changed into a maxi polka dot dress I found at my favorite thrift store in the world, Thrift Town in the Mission. Unfortunately there is no visual documentation of these looks in full, but when I was going through my photos, I found a few that do in fact prove that I did wear a couple different outfits in Cali. 

The Port of San Francisco About to Get on the Ferry to Marin: black booties, maxi leaf skirt, brown satchel, leather biker jacket (all thrift from Humana in Berlin), gray cable knit sweater (thrift from Salvation Army in Marin this trip)

Fort Funston, San Francisco with Dad, Jackie, Aaron and Maisie: Black jeggings (H&M), boyfriend coat (Pimkie, Berlin [pretty much the German equivalent of Wet Seal. Eek!]

The Streets of the Mission, SF Jan 1, 2011 After One Very Long Night: Sweater (thrift Humana, Berlin)

What I Would Wear Everyday if I Lived in my Hometown, Fairfax: Snow boots (Zara Kids), jeans (thrift Humana Berlin), gray hoodie (American Apparel), over-sized button-up buttoned wrong (borrowed from Dad)

Berlin Weekend Roundup: Sunshine!

SUN

                

AND SNOW                Dress (vintage), belt (borrowed from BF), over-knee boots (ALDO)

                


This weekend the sun (yes the sun!) decided to show its face and although every day I complain (hopefully mostly in my head) about the lack there of here in Berlin, I didn't even realize how much I actually missed it until I was woken up with "look, sun!" and I felt those amazing warm beams on my face. That is not to say that it has warmed up here, quite the contrary, but I still decided to wear a dress for the occasion (with plenty underneath). With the sun in the day and snowball fights in the night, I would have to say that the weekend was quite all right.

It all went something like this: sushi, sake, snow date, wine at my new regular hangout Luzia, snow ball fight walk home, usual stop downstairs, falling asleep on the couch, holiday chocolate package, Christmas shopping in Kudam, Chanel perfume love affair, gourmet food shopping and sampling in Ka De We, glühwein in H&M, American diner dinner, bad movie in the theater, sleeping in, reading in bed, consuming chocolate package, lost wallet freak out, Boardwalk Empire.