My Answer to Miu Miu

So yeah, I am obsessed with Miu Miu shoes. I don't know how many times I have blogged about these bad boys that a certain editor at a certain magazine that I start freelancing at on Tuesday (OMG I am so excited!) wears so well. Maybe she'll let me borrow them? But in the meantime I bought these babies for $15 at a thrift store. To me they are the cheap love child of my dream blue pair and the latest Miu Miu gold creations.

I am excited about my little purchase but wonder when I will actually get to wear them? I also wonder when am I going to be able to buy the real deal instead of the scuffed up thrift store version? Have you ever bought a pair of designer shoes? My biggest shoe splurge was on these beauts. Maybe one day I'll get my Miu Mius, but for now these little gold ones will do. 

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? 

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

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.

Berlin Weekend Roundup: Tschüss Lucy

INSIDE

Silk shirt and elephant necklace (thrifted in USA), orange lipstick (MAC Lady Danger)

AND OUT

Yup it was freezing this weekend, well below freezing that is (and still is). See that is me bundled up on my way to go swimming on Saturday. Yup, swimming — but don't worry, it was inside. Still if you are like me, you have no desire to get into a bathing suit and get all wet when the temps go subzero. But alas, I decided to join my boyfriend on his regular swim at Stadtbad Neukölln, which I have been saying I would do for the last couple months but always make some excuse at the last minute like, hey it is freezing out! Anyway, it was well worth it and warm and lovely once inside. I highly recommend a dip if you are in Berlin, not only is swimming a great workout, the actual pool is quite beautiful surrounded by old columns, fountains and such (although I am currently thinking up excuses not to have to go tonight, eeeek, did I mention it was freezing?).  

The pics above were taken via iPhone (sorry) while getting ready to go out after my frosty trip home. Due to swimming hair (my hair looks terrible right after a wash), I decided to do a little updo. I was quite proud that I was able to get the braid to go all the way around my head. A special hairdo for a special night. Where was I going you ask? Well that is the sad part of the weekend: I was going to a gathering where I would say goodbye to my friend Lucy who has now left Berlin for London. She is definitely one of the most fun girls I know and certainly one of my favorite people in Berlin. I am so sad that we only had a couple months to get to know each other, but happy to have had at least that. And it is okay, I know our paths will cross again whether in London, New York, back in Berlin or somewhere completely new. So all in all, a lovely weekend with a bittersweet and very cold air. 

It all went something like this: Friday evening at home with pizza, sleeping in, cleaning up, yummy lunch with Lucy, talk of Thailand, freezing bike home, turkey scouting, swimming, dog watching, pasta, garlic bread and delish red wine, party at Stereo 33, goodbye Lucy, late night, lazy day, sewing, The Rachel Zoe Project and Boardwalk Empire, Vietnamese food, sleep.

Fall Wish List #2 Chunky Knits: CHECK!

Okay I may have overdone it a little with this one, and am currently banned from buying any product that resembles a blanket, has a turtleneck, is a shade of cream or is really really cozy. But with a weather report that calls for the first snow on Oct 21 (that is tomorrow, can you believe it? Are you kidding me?), I think I can't go wrong with having too many chunky knits, now can I? And the half-sleeve tan and maroon and more tan, beige, camel long sweater thing might just be the favorite item of clothing I own right now. I will have to take some pictures of me actually wearing it do it proper justice. Plus they were all thrift, so it is okay to be excessive right? It is the nature of the beast. How are you doing on cozy clothes for winter/now?

Berlin Weekend Roundup: The Zoo!

This weekend was just lovely — a perfect mix of downtime, sleep, fun and actually doing things. This is one of the few things (other than getting a new fall wardrobe) that I like about it getting colder here in Brrrlin. When it was nice out all I ever wanted to do was go lay by the pool, but since the frigid fall has kicked in on the weekends we have actually been going out and seeing the city — last weekend it was the botanical gardens and randomly this weekend we ended up at the zoo. And what a zoo it was, probably the best I have ever been to. I ended up closer to lions and a whole lot of monkeys than I have ever been. Although zoos have such a sad aura around them, I can't help get excited like a little girl when I see all those animals. I have been crazy with wanting a pet (like a dog or a cardboard cat) lately, it is almost as if my maternal instincts have kicked in just a little short-circuited. Anyway that is a different story —  so yes, this weekend was fab, I even went to a comedy show and wore a few different outfits of course.

It all went something like this: second half of Turkey v. Germany in random empty Neukölln bar, popcorn and True Blood (I think I am over my TB phase), bed early, waking up late, brunch outside, fall walk, second hand shop, serious ping pong competition, pretty hilarious comedy (in English!) at East Side Comedy with my new friend (yay!) Lucy, weird underground bar, late night drinks at Maria Bonita, freezing walk home, brunch buffet outside at Kültürzeit, bike ride to and through Tiergarten, apfelschorle at Tiergarten beer garden, zoo, monkeys, orangutans, gorillas, baboons, leopards, lions, penguins, otters, elephants, giraffes, zebras, thai takeout, Roald Dahl short stories read out loud.  

Blue pleated trousers (H&M), Topshop sweatershirt (thrifted from Neukölln Humana), black loafers (Jumbo Second Hand Berlin)  

I felt very normal wearing the above outfit, it's not too often I wear slacks and a fitted shirt. But my boyfriend insisted that it was not normal at all, just another weird concoction from my closet. But what does he know (in a nice way)— so I had to throw a side braid in my hair to give it some oomph. Although I will admit that I kinda liked wearing what I consider a "normal" outfit for some reason. 

Well that is until it got too cold and I had to pop into our local second-hand shop and buy the majorly weird thing I am wearing below for ten euro. It is a kind of sweater/cape/cardigan that some old crazy aunt with too many crystals in her house might wear. It has weird toggle buttons that change directions and a god awful butt pocket that I will have to take off somehow, but despite all that I think I might love it. My boyfriend said that it is favorite thing I have ever bought (which actually makes me kinda mad considering all my clothes. But again, what does he know...). But I am still wondering if I can pull it off. What do you think? Too weird? Too ugly?

Seriously? A butt pocket?

Orange blouse, Levi's cutoffs (thrifted from Neukölln Humana), brown booties (used Beacon's Closet, NYC), belt (used), red lipstick (MAC Russian Red)

 

What I wore out on Saturday night (seen here next to my makeshift pet, James) was definitely my favorite outfit of the weekend, until it got so cold I questioned why I wore shorts or even left the house in the first place. To go see comedy that is! And below are pics from our lovely Sunday when the only ones wearing camera worthy outfits were the animals.

Brunch at Kültürzeit

Tiergarten

I may have started a lion riot with my completely by accident flash photography. Those guys sure can roar. Poor guy.

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)