The Summer Dress

After the hottest weekend I have ever felt (I am pretty positive I got heat stroke on Sat night), it has cooled down to a frosty 80 degrees. I know for the average person 80 is hot, but for us New Yorkers, it is refreshing and lovely and so relieving. We can still wear summer dresses, shorts and no jackets, but we don't have to be worried about feeling and looking like we just stepped out of a sauna at all times.

And speaking of summer dresses, in the last week or so I have seen at least four or five ladies sporting this little number. Like the girl above each of them wore some sort of novelty bra — either in lace or a bright color — to show in the back and the sides. A couple of the girls wore it in a larger size so it had more of a baggy look to it — or maybe it's a different cut — either way, I liked that. So after seeing it so many times I started to wonder, is this the dress of the summer? I mean I get it, it's cute and open, perfect for those earlier said intense heat days. I like that too.

With its simple design and cotton fabric I assumed it was from American Apparel, and I assumed right. Looks like AA is all about the scoop back these days, they have one in pretty much every fabric and pattern. Kinda want to get it, but kinda don't because so many people are wearing it right now. What do you think of this summer dress? Would you buy something so popular?

Photo by Mr. Newton.

Shoulder to Shoulder

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed that the fashionable people don't seem to like putting their arms into sleeves anymore? All the usual culprits are doing it — Kirsten, Alexa, Joanna, the fashion bloggers, the girls on the street and the girls at the shows — just resting their coats on their shoulders without a care in the world. How do you feel about this nonchalant coat placement? 

by GlamCanyon

above and below by Vanessa Jackman

via Google Images

all by All the Pretty Birds

via Bazaar and Vanessa Jackman

by Mr. Newton

Summer Roundup

Although the heat still blazes on in NYC, Labor Day has signified the end of summer in the States. With no such holiday in Germany, luckily the wind and freeziness has made its point. But with sarcasm aside, summer is gone and thinking about what is coming in the months ahead let alone at the moment, is making me a bit depressed. So in the same vein as earlier this week, I am going to continue looking back instead of looking ahead and do a little summer 2010 roundup.

1) My Album of the Summer: Wild Nothing "Gemini" 

This airy 80stalgic album got more rotation than anything else in my iTunes and shows no sign of stopping. Good thing the dreamy beats will sound just as good with the sun beating down on me as the snow falling out my window. Or is it?

2) Throwback Song of the Summer: You Can Call Me Al

I can never get enough Paul Simon, but this summer I formed a new love for one of his most mainstream tunes. Just listen to the lyrics man and hey, Chevy Chase!

3) Favorite Summer Clothing Item: Leopard Print Dress

I found this wild little number at a Berlin thrift store when it actually wasn't so little. But after a quick hemming job it became the perfect thing to throw over a bathing suit at Badeschiff or the Baltic Sea. 

4) Favorite Summer Hangout: Badeschiff

Yes you guessed it, lounging by this pool in the river, reading, and drinking fresh mint tea (and admittedly sometimes playing a mean game of Kill, Marry, F**k) became the perfect Sunday ritual. 

5) Most Read Blog Entry: Berlin's First Taco Truck 

Looks like you guys love Mexican food as much as I do. Too bad I never found the little bugger. 

6)Favorite Summer Recipe: Watermelon Salad 
Refreshing and delicious and perfect to eat sitting on a balcony on a hot summer day, or a even a cold one at that.

7) Favorite Summer Street Style Blog: Mr. Newton 

Doesn't he just capture the cool kids of Brooklyn and all the summer romping so well? Enough to make me a little jealous that's for sure. 

8) Favorite Summer Day: July 17

I could live this day over and over again. 

9)Favorite Summer Read: Tie!

I finally read Everything is Illuminated and although it took me a minute to get into, once I did I was hooked and fascinated, involved and completely entertained by Jonothan Safran Foer´s unique story and writing style. But when it comes to a proper "summer read," T.C Boyle´s commune hippie drama Drop City was a true page-turner. It had me in its clenches from the first sentence on and I was done after one long week by the sea. 

10) ??? I am leaving 10 blank because honestly it doesn't feel like my summer was long enough to have 10 highlights. I know that sounds bitter, but honestly, at the moment I kinda am. Maybe one of you could fill me in with your favorite summer 2010 moment. That would be nice.