a day at the beach

Love

2011-10-16T13:43:00.000-07:00

Running - Keys 100 Race Prep

2010-05-05T21:26:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have signed up for an ultra marathon. 100 miles from Key Largo to Key West. But I won't have to do it on my own - we are a team of six. I am the only girl. Girl's gotta look good even when torturing herself by running 17 miles through the glazing Florida sun. Here is what I just picked up for the upcoming race weekend (Old Navy tote $15; Surferstyle Lightweight Sweatshirt $12, Watch $10).
all images oldnavy.com

Lulu's :)

2010-05-02T16:45:00.000-07:00

Wearing today: Old World vs. New World

2010-04-06T20:42:00.000-07:00

Looking back at some pics of last year, I gotta say, I almost miss the Old World... European weather usually allows for seasons, that means going from boots to ballerinas to flipflops.

boots: lacoste / stretch denim jeans, scarf and longshirt: h&m / vest: old navy / winter jacket: hollister / sunnies: fake bans :)

....Then again, this is April in the New World:

barefoot / shorts: hollister / top: random latino store :)

I think I'm just fine here :)

Subscribed: Coastal Living

2010-03-31T21:30:00.000-07:00

Being a lover of all things beach I recently subscribed to Coastal Living Magazine. Not that I am planning, or for that matter, able to afford to buy a beach house and decorate according to my own taste anytime soon, but I do love it as an inspiration and a source for future dreams. :) So far I like it. Click here for a free trial issue.

Spring Break in Miami - Latest Buys...

2010-03-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

My newest buys... Glad to be back shopping in the US :) and ready for Spring Break night and day. Ok, only on the weekends, but in Miami Beach!!

Forever 21 dress - Love 21 Collection.

beach dresses/ casual t-shirts/ bikini/ tank/ skirt/ water bottle: Old Navy

So I finally splurged on this AA watercolor tank I blogged about here. It looks great with grey or navy shorts or jeans. Can't wait for the next Spring Break weekend at Miami Beach!

My life in Miami

2010-01-27T17:08:00.000-08:00

Source

first shop stop in the US

2009-11-20T17:43:00.000-08:00

image via forever21

Alright, so sequins are the best party outfit addition, they glam up any outfit. And since I'm gonna be partying a lot in Miami I thought this would be great for hot dancing nights in tropical Miami! Or in the Bahamas (below :))

I'm moving to Miami!!

2009-11-07T14:28:00.000-08:00

source

Yes, that's right. I'm moving to a beachy place! It all happened pretty quickly and I haven't even realized what it all means... for example: beach days, pretty ocean pictures, amazing party locations and shopping at all those store I haven't had access to in Europe. I am SO excited. A new chapter of my life on another continent, my first "real" job, my first apartment without a roommate (so I hope), my first car that's not technically owned by mommy or daddy. Exciting times. Stay tuned...

Rocking the Harley with Balenciaga

2009-10-20T01:30:00.000-07:00

After falling in love with their motorcycle bag I could not wait until Balenciaga came out with their motor cycle leather jacket. It looks really nice and it must be so soft (it's 100% lambskin), but to be honest, I was expecting something a bit more extraordinary.

image via Balenciaga
Balenciaga Biker Jacket $2595

Looks like for now, I'll stick to my H&M cheap chic version which sports the same kind of asymmetric zipper, but has ruffled shoulders.

image: own

boots: zara / leggings: topshop / scarf, faux leather jacket, shirtdress: H&M

Fly fly away

2009-10-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

End of the weekend: I just came back from another trip to Poland, to visit my family AND I just booked another flight ticket... leaving next week. Pictures will be posted soon :)

image via airliners.net

Where is YOUR next trip taking you?

Around the World: I amsterdam

2009-10-15T12:44:00.000-07:00

Today I'd like to finally start on my series of blog posts about travel destinations "Around the world". I'm not sure whether I should include my dream destinations - places I'd like to visit in the future - what do you think? For now I'll stick to sharing my experiences, photos and memories of places I've actually been. Obviously I will include many beaches - my favorite place! :)

Traveling literally means the world to me. Since I was little I always loved going on trips and luckily enough my parents already gave me the opportunity to see a lot of places across Europe when I was a kid. When I turned 15, nothing could stop me from pursuing my dream to go to the US for a year - my American dream. And this year, being young and away from friends and family, has not stopped my hunger for more and more travel adventures. I've made new friends, no matter where I went and although I'm not one to experiment much with foreign cuisine, I do appreciate all other facets of foreign cultures so much. In fact, it is my - maybe silly sounding but at least ambitious - goal to see every country in the world during my life. What can I say, little girl, big dreams: that's me!

A as in ..... Amsterdam.

After this intro to my destination series I'd like to share impressions from my latest trip: I just got back from sunny Amsterdam!

All images: own

My favorite things to do and see in Amsterdam:

Van Gogh museum
Current exhibition of elephants all over the city
Bikes everywhere
Barhopping around Rembrandt Square
Walking around the whole city by foot across thousands of beautiful bridges over the canals
Shopping at Bershka (part of the Zara empire, hasn't made it to Germany yet)
Going to see Anouk live in concert (she's Dutch and my favorite singer, you MUST check her music out if you don't know her already!)
Walking by all the little flower shops und buying some beautiful tulips
Park&Ride - ecofriendly & fresh air!

Milan & Fall Smiles

2009-10-15T11:47:00.000-07:00

Another simple and chic outfit. It's so casual yet so sophisticated. Amazing! Need to get myself a pair of black converse shoes to dress down an outfit including my boyfriend blazer which would otherwise be too dressy for some occasions.

image via the sartorialist

Rachel & Fall

2009-10-13T15:13:00.000-07:00

Fall outfit of the day: slouchy boyfriend blazer, black jeans and sleek grayish boots.

image via stylebakery

Rachel, I want your Jane Mayle boots!

Colorful Life

2009-10-12T10:18:00.000-07:00

image via coolspotters

Once again I'm in love with Lauren's look (this one is from yesterday's 6th Annual Hollywood Style Awards). Her Mara Hoffman dress is GORGEOUS! It's so colorful and so different from your usual black/ blue/ cream/ red red carpet dresses and looks great on her tanned skin. Ugh, I really wish I lived in California now!

Lately I've seen a lot of colorful and bright clothes on her, like this American Apparel tie-dye tank or the watercolor top from her own line for Kohl's.

images via coolspotters

Living green

2009-09-29T05:07:00.000-07:00

image: own

Jade is new nail polish color of the season. I've been a fan of nail polish ever since I was little - my best friend S and I used to paint our nails in the brightest colors with letters and details that involved hours of work - for our each of our birthdays one would paint H-A-P-P-Y on the left hand and B-D-A-Y-! on the right hand of the other one and we were always on the look-out for the most glittery and most outrageous colors, preferably green. We were such big dorks! Good times that will always be remembered, though.

This new nail polish color trend was started by Chanel's Fall/ Winter runway looks and is more like a green for adults, more subtle than any of the flasks we owned and collected back then ever was.

image via Nitrolicious

I really like it! It's a nice way of prepping up a casual outfit or to go with black and white outfits that I love so much. Since it's limited edition it might not be as easy to get (and at $25/ bottle too pricey for many wallets), so you could also try mixing your own DIY-version using green and white lacquers. They also came out with a Jade Rose version, which, in my opinion does not look much different from any of the traditional rose nail polish used for French manicures if you ask me. But Jade! I could totally see myself wearing it to the beach, it would look so nice with tanned skin and my Matthew Williamson for H&M bikini! Ooooh, I miss the beach, and summer for that matter *sigh*.

And then there were more boots

2009-09-28T07:55:00.000-07:00

How awesome would these Colin Stuart grey suede boots look with a pair of tights from my previous post? They give you three options of wearing them: scrunched up, over the knee (one of this fall's hottest trends) or folded over. Get em here. I never realized Victoria's Secret had such a great variety of nice shoes, especially boots!

Also found these pretty cute:

And these crazy ass wedge sandals:

all images via Victoria's Secret

On another note... I just found out that the Shopping Card promotion offered by the German Glamour magazine would give me 20% off on Hunter boots. Unfortunately the particular store only has them in purple or green. I'd really prefer navy or black. Maybe I should just wait until I can go stateside and get them cheaper and in a better variety ;) And: Can anyone tell me why in the world uggs sell for 219-269 Euros over here?! They're not even made out of any leather or something that would justify that price range.

Get out the vote

2009-09-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

To all German readers: Today is Election Day and it is important for each and everyone of you to make your voice heard. Every vote counts. Just remember that in other countries, many people do not get to exercise this basic democratic right - we are very lucky to be able to go to vote without having to face any repercussions, be scared we could have our fingers cut off and other terrible things. I am not asking you to share my point of view or to vote for any specific party. Just make sure you do vote, because YOUR vote counts!

Hold me tights

2009-09-26T15:14:00.000-07:00

Another staple in my wardrobe during fall are leggings and tights. Right before winter when it gets too cold and wearing skirts outside is not really an option anymore, I love to extend my summer wardrobe's life a bit longer by pairing at least my jeans/ dark skirts or a pair of dressy shorts with leggings or tights and a pair of boots or ankle booties. Here are some options for interesting tights if you're looking more something more interesting than plain ones (but not too out there) I found at Topshop, H&M and Forever 21 (click images to enlarge).

In love with this LBD

2009-09-25T13:51:00.000-07:00

Seriously, is this an awesome outfit, or what? This fake-leather zipper dress looks so great paired with a casual cotton tee and the multi-chain pearl necklace. It combines two great fall trends: zippers and "leather". Best part: it's affordable, too. Gotta have it!

image via H&M

Currently Reading: The Kite Runner

2009-09-24T06:26:00.000-07:00

Here's another - not fashion related - plus point of the upcoming season: Finally being able to curl up on the couch with a blanket or in bed with a cup of tea on the nightstand and read all those books you stacked up and never got around to reading because the weather was just too nice to not be outside being active, playing sports etc. This, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, is the book I just started to read - courtesy of one of the professors (with a felt age of 90 but such a good, energetic guy) I worked for part time at my university who thanked me for assisting him with computer-related with this lovely gift and a box of chocolates. My male colleague was gifted two bottles of wine. Such a nice guy!

"Taking us from Afghanistan in the final days of the monarchy to the present, The Kite Runner is the unforgettable, beautifully told story of the friendship between two boys growing up in Kabul. Raised in the same household and sharing the same wet nurse, Amir and Hassan nonetheless grow up in different worlds: Amir is the son of a prominent and wealthy man, while Hassan, the son of Amir's father's servant, is a Hazara, member of a shunned ethnic minority. Their intertwined lives, and their fates, reflect the eventual tragedy of the world around them. When the Soviets invade and Amir and his father flee the country for a new life in California, Amir thinks that he has escaped his past. And yet he cannot leave the memory of Hassan behind him.

The Kite Runner is a novel about friendship, betrayal, and the price of loyalty. It is about the bonds between fathers and sons, and the power of their lies. Written against a history that has not been told in fiction before, The Kite Runner describes the rich culture and beauty of a land in the process of being destroyed. But with the devastation, Khaled Hosseini also gives us hope: through the novel's faith in the power of reading and storytelling, and in the possibilities he shows for redemption." quote from khaledhosseini.com

L says the book really helps to understand the issues better, that have lead to the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan. Just another reason to finally curl up and stick my nose into this book! :) If you are interested too, you can order it on Amazon or directly off the author's homepage, where you can also find out more about his personal life story and his humanitarian foundation providing assistance to the Afghan people.

What is YOUR recommendation for a good read?

Ready for Rain

2009-09-24T03:32:00.000-07:00

image: own

As of yesterday, fall has officially begun and it's time to trade in the flip flops, sandals and ballerinas that have been a staple in my closet for the past months. In search for comfy alternatives to my Jillian Harris inspired boots, I couldn't help but start craving a pair Hunter Wellington rain boots, which you can now even buy in Germany (starting from 66 Euros at Net-a-porter). They even have a limited edition croc skin version by Jimmy Choo for Hunter! I prefer the black to match anything in my closet or the glossy red ones to go with a simple black & gray outfit.

Keira Knightley with Hunter boots, image via coolspotters

images via Net-a-porter

Another must-have for rainy days in my opinion, that I already mentioned a few months back, is a clear umbrella - way cuter than any of those printed versions!

Emma Watson at Harry Potter movie premiere, image via zimbio

Lauren Conrad, image via latest beauty

Get one at Topshop ($30/15 pounds) or Target ($16.99) or a Burberry version at Saks Fifth Avenue ($95).

Happy Rain Days!

The Bandage Dress

2009-09-23T03:36:00.000-07:00

Check out these beautiful bandage dresses, I've seen them on so many celebrities and red carpets this summer and I have to say, at first I wasn't really convinced... and then they started to show them in these beautiful multitone/ color-fading versions. I don't know what it is about multitone/fading colors that I love - maybe it's the different color shades of the ocean I'm reminded of? Well, usually multitone looks kinda...um, well, cheap, but in this case everyone should be convinced: multitone bandage dresses are GORGEOUS! The only problem now is: You really have to have a killer body to pull them off!

Zani Gugelmann in Hervé Léger, image via The Sartorialist

Hervé Léger dress, image via Esquire.com

Hervé Léger makes them look so chic! Mischa Barton looks stunning in it!

images via zimbio

Look, she pairs it with our new little friend, the cropped leather jacket.

Considering Hervé Léger dresses run at about 1700 Euros at Net-a-porter (e.g. here), I'm going to have to find myself an affordable substitute.

Wearing today: I Heart Palm Trees

2009-09-20T12:07:00.000-07:00

I ♥ Palm Trees! Especially when they are found in unlikely places (this is Germany, people).

boots: zara/ shirt dress h&m/ leggings topshop/ bag aldo/ necklace & wayfarers noname

Goodbye Summer, Come Back Soon!

2009-09-18T01:03:00.000-07:00

Goodbye summer! It's been a great few months of sunshine, laughter, toes in the sand, happiness, bikinis, warm evenings outside, trips to the beach, bbqs, sitting outside for dinner, salty skin, beach hair, crystal clear water... I'm gonna miss you. Come back soon!

The Shopping Flu

2009-09-11T07:41:00.000-07:00

Just in time for fall, I have caught the shopamaholic virus.

Aaah... I just HAD to get this blouse to go with leggings...

H&M 24.95 EUR

Well, and this adorable asymmetric tulip skirt...H&M 24.95 EUR

...and these cute little fake uggs....H&M for Kids 14.95 EUR

... and these adorable earrings to lighten up a black, gray & white fall outfit...

mister & lady accessories 3.95 EUR

... and then, finally, I also couldn't resist buying these two necklaces.

No name ca. 5 EUR each
images via H&M & own

Need. To. Stop. Shopping. Now.

Is there a cure for this virus?

Project Runway Surfstyle Challenge

2009-09-06T14:17:00.000-07:00

This week's Project Runway (Season 6) episode totally hit the right spot with me - 1) their challenge was to create a California surf inspired look 2) Rachel Bilson was the guest judge! Oh, and Tim Gunn actually wore flipflops and raybans.

Whereas I don't always "get" what the designers make of their challenges, I'm always truly impressed with how quickly they pull of to sow together some uniquely beautiful garments. Here are some shots from this challenge. I especially adore the poofy dress with the zipper detail and the colors of the fabric on the flowy dress.

images via mylifetime.com

P.S. Is it just me or do the models look extra-bored?

10 Reasons to Get Excited for Fall

2009-09-05T02:09:00.000-07:00

1. Boots!

2. Going for a romantic walk with your loved one listening to the crackling leaves in every shape and color under your shoes.

3. Watching movies on a lazy and rainy sunday.

4. On a stormy day: enjoying a cup of warm and tea on a cozy chair with a great book when the rain's pouring outside.

5. Leather Jackets!

6. New Seasons (Gossip Girl, Grey's Anatomy, Project Runway...) & New Shows (The Beautiful Life...)

7. Home decoration projects

8. Leggings!

9. Collecting leaves.

10. Visitors :)

Autumn at Topshop

2009-08-29T07:25:00.001-07:00

Here are some more finds for the upcoming season from one of my other favorite places to shop: Topshop.

all items available at Topshop online.

images via topshop

Autumn Trend: The Cropped Leather Jacket

2009-08-28T02:53:00.000-07:00

Wow, the new H&M cropped "leather" biker jacket I bought just yesterday is already sold out! Can't wait it to pair with skirts, leggins, and my new black Zara boots for fall, um, autumn! But, you're lucky, they still have the version with a zipper I showed here.

Here are some celebs with their leather jackets:

Autumn at H&M

2009-08-27T02:29:00.001-07:00

I like the word autumn (better than fall). I like the new H&M autumn stuff. These few new items almost make me look forward to cooler weather. Nooooo! But hey, I try to see the positive in everything. With a new season comes the opportunity to dig deep inside your closet and pull out all those things you almost forgot you owned...Plus, it's a great excuse to go shopping for new additions to the closet! Here are some H&M things I picked out... The gilet (all fancy for vest) is fake fur, of course! And just as fake is the short biker jacket, unfortunately.all items available online at H&M.

images via h&m

Boooooots

2009-08-09T12:20:00.000-07:00

One of my newest style inspiration is nobody less than.... drums, please... good ole Bachelorette Jillian Harris. Yes, I have to admit into being sucked into terribly cheesy and mind numbing reality TV and competition shows on lazy Sunday afternoons (considering there is no shopping to be done on sundays in Germany because stores are legally prohibited to be open that day, forgive me for this silly obsession). So, Jillian. It all started with the boots, and it all ends with the boots. In one of the first episodes she's shown wearing these awesome-I-need-to-have-them boots that cut off right below the knee (I think her outfits were the biggest reason to actually keep watching the whole season). After seasons of ankle boots, mid-calf boots and now thigh-high boots I found them a nice happy medium for fall and winter in Europe, something I could actually see myself wearing - which I can't exactly say about these. I just wouldn't be able to think of a way that actually makes them look not hookerish... at least off-red-carpet. ;)

Thank God for crazy bloggers, shoppers, and spotting geniuses (for similarly obsessed readers, may I recommend the Dana, the possessionista's blog), it only took me a few minutes to find out Jillian's boots were actually by Aldo (Flosand boot).

I wasn't as much obsessed with their fiery red color, but with the way they fit loosely around the leg, the thicker heel for longer comfortable walking and the cut that makes them easy to pair with pretty much anything: a short dress, shorts or stuffing your skinny jeans in them. I'm in love! :)

Unfortunately they were at first only available at Aldo's Canada stores, but, I guess their business sense kicked in after the response to Jillian wearing them, then they made them available anywhere. Next: they were sold out. Since I don't have access to an Aldo store anyways, I sort of forgot about them and enjoyed my vacay and happy summer days. Until I went on a major shopping spree and was so happy to find the perfect boots at Zara! They're a bit more scrunched up than Aldo's version but they come in black (and gray) and are just perfect. No, they're not leather, but then again, my budget wouldn't have allowed that kind of expense anyways...

However, and I realize there are a lot of ups and downs in this entry, I came home and sort of realized that I might have bought them a size too small... :( So tomorrow it's back to Zara to hopefully exchange them for a size bigger :) And then there will be photographic evidence of my prey ;)

Geek

2009-07-15T15:02:00.000-07:00

image via coolspotters

where have i been? finishing my master's thesis! consider me graduated :) totally leading a double life as nerd/ beach girl. geek phase is over for now - goodbye nerdy glasses and 14hrs of writing/reading/researching every day, hello beach time!

Soft and Silky Skin

2009-06-21T03:28:00.000-07:00

Hey, today I wanted to share one of my favorite beauty products. I have a huge collection of different lotions by Bath&Body Works, Victoria's Secret and The Body Shop, but this is my current favorite, it makes your skin so unbelievably soft and smooth and the scent is great, too!Victoria's Secret Amber Romance Body Lotion from the Secret Garden Collection, $9

image via victoria's secret

Wearing today: Hi!

2009-06-18T01:51:00.000-07:00

I got so many compliments on this outfit, so I thought I'd "lose my virginity" and show you who's behind the words on this blog :) Hi!

dress: h&m/ cardigan: h&m/ leggings: topshop/ bag: benetton/ sandals: gisele bundchen ipanema/ noname wayfarers

Link: 20 steps to take better photos!

2009-06-15T11:40:00.000-07:00

Don't you ever wonder how you can nail that night shot? Take the perfect photo of your outfit? Capture an ad-worthy beach moment in the Caribbean? I just found this interesting article by Photo magazine providing

"20 Easy Techniques For Improving Your Photos".

Turquoise + Silky + Rainbow + Eco-friendly = ♥

2009-06-10T13:19:00.000-07:00

Love this dress!
(Gypsy 05 Paloma Silk Dress)

I'm a Studded Gladiator

2009-06-08T03:00:00.000-07:00

My new sandals by H&M. You like? They are pretty comfortable and would go well with some dark skinnies or black shorts. I was gonna get the black ones first when I saw them online but then I tried them in the store and it just didn't look right. It's my first pair of H&M shoes, I always doubted that they'd be comfortable and would last more than a few weeks. We shall see!

image via H&M

Bar Rafaeli...

2009-05-29T12:05:00.000-07:00

Beautiful new shot of Bar in France's Marie Claire May issue... no one looks better in a bathing suit!

Ocean at Home

2009-05-23T08:55:00.000-07:00

We all know my love for the beach, beach themed decoration (without being cheesy!) and clothing in ocean colors. As a late Mother's Day gift I decided to pick up a few goodies and make a nice little eye-catching decoration for my mother. Tadaaaa!

It's fairly easy and cheap to accomplish. Buy floating candles (these here are scented, blueberry and, of course, ocean breeze), get a big round vase, preferably no bulgy shape and arrange shells and stones from the beach on the bottom. Add water, then cautiously put the candles in (don't get them wet, they might get tough to lite) and pick some flowers right by the end of the stem so they can float in the water. I will try and take pics at night, it looks beautiful because the flames are mirrored in the glass.

Edit: here are the by night pictures (sorry for the bad quality - only had my cell cam available)

woody woodbracelet :)

2009-05-22T06:41:00.001-07:00

On a trip to my hometown in North Germany I discovered a cute store with handmade accessories from India. Normally I'm not an accessory-heavy girl, but these two wood bracelets caught my eye... and priced at 3 Euros each I had to get them! They look great with my black leggings, cream cardigan and purple tunic outfit.

shoesys

2009-05-19T02:14:00.001-07:00

it's time for some new shoes! here are my picks from the latest trends....

SANDALSI love the fresh colors on these Pierre Dumas "Nadine" sandals, $49

cute signature Marc by Marc Jacobs flip flops, $60

taking animal print to a whole new level, Slim Havaianas $24, also available in dark brown

GLADIATOR STYLEmore ocean colors and a zipper on these Matt Bernson Nouer III sandals, $170

gladiator with a twist: Industry gladiator style sandals, $105

Images via Piperlime

dress to the max

2009-05-16T02:56:00.000-07:00

Maxi dresses: Yay or nay? One of my colleagues in Miami used to wear them ALL the time and I always thought she looked great...well, I guess that's natural for a former model, with a felt height of about 7 feet ;) I'm only 5'6"/ 169cm, do you think I can pull off one of these gorgeous maxi dresses?

printed chiffon maxi dress with antique metal stud and bead trim by F 21

very much bright Miami style maxi dress by Alice + Olivia

100% soft silk dress by Mango

I have a nice maxi skirt that skims the floor, got it about 5 years ago at Zara and still love it. But back then, it would only take me being on the street for 15mins until someone felt the need to tell me my skirt's touching the ground. Duh!

Feeling Bubbly

2009-05-15T07:34:00.000-07:00

After trying on a cute and colorful strapless bubble dress at Zara I decided to look for some more bubblyness.Dolce & Gabbana bubble dress

Charlotte Russe layered bubble dress

Select floral bubble dress

Lauren Conrad in a BCBG Max Azria bubble dress with 3D detailing, very neat!

and in case you're feeling flowery too, here's a cute flower dress by H&M

Happy shopping!

German engineering at its best

2009-05-12T02:47:00.000-07:00

Ok, I have to admit, I do have a little bit of boy in me (my parents never bought me a barbie, instead, I played with cars)... I want!! White is the coolest color on a car. This model would go really well with my new white Zara clothes ;)

The new Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI

Spring Smiles

2009-05-11T13:09:00.001-07:00

Spring, here I come! Now, if would just please stop raining like there's no tomorrow.... Today is Monday. And yes, I got up and went shopping.... benefit of being a student :D I love to shop, but I hate going to H&M on a Saturday afternoon (no Sunday shopping hours in Europe!), it looks like a fashion war in there, or Zara with clothes piled up in dusty cabins, people sweating because the store is packed and they have to wait in line for a dressing room for half an hour! No, definitely not my favorite shopping experience. Then again, I was really shocked as to how big the spectrum of the friendliness scale of salespeople was today, on my quiet Monday noon shopping spree. At Zara, the saleslady at the register didn't even bother saying hello (not even after I said it to her) let alone look up at me. When I asked another salesperson to get a tunic in my size from the stock room, she didn't even pay attention to me and when she finally came back with it, she almost gave it to one of the other 2 people in the store at that moment. Wow. At H&M, however, the lady in the dressing room was so sweet, she even explained to me that they did have the zebra dress from the posters at some point and that it was only a few of them. We ended up chatting about other nice dresses and it really made me think, does Zara not find it necessary to hire some friendly people that do not look like they are punished when doing their job?! I can't imagine that H&M's paying much better... Smiles don't cost anything! :)

Anyways, I am in love with the H&M dress I got. I tried it on with my black Topshop leggins and it looked awesome and I can't wait to wear it without leggins when it's warm again. I prefer dresses with straps, you can just wear a black bra underneath this one and don't have to go through the whole pulling-the-top-part up mission that comes along with tube dresses.

dress: H&M

Then I also got this cute beachy shirt (yes, all shades of blue are my favorite, it just reminds me of being at the beach, by the ocean), which is a bit on the long and wide side, perfect with leggins or dark blue skinny jeans. Wouldn't necessarily wear the white denim leggins I got for only 25 Euros with that shirt though. But when I saw them, I had to get them: white jeans are a must-have for this summer. They always look fresh and put you in a relaxed mood.

comfy shirt & denim leggins with ankle zipper: Zara

Current Cravings

2009-05-10T04:28:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my current cravings, some affordable, some rather not.white mosaic tunic top by Topshop, it has really interesting detailing in the back, too

short sleeve creamwhite blouse with ruffled neck by Topshop

This is a pac-a-parker! You can fold it up in a tiny bag. Love the tiger print. It comes in all sorts of solid bright colors as well. Buy it at Topshop.

ocean colors! my favorite. tunic/ dress by Forever 21.

H&M soft slightly elastic tank tops! Only 5.90 Euros. Available in rose, marine, white, turqouise... perfect basic material!

black Giuseppe Zanotti shoesdark brown Giuseppe Zanotti strappy shoes with copper metal heel, $895 - I saw some similar ones at Zara a few weeks ago, but when I went back to get them because I kept thinking about them, they were gone :( If anyone wants to buy me these, they have them at Barneys and here. I love clear umbrellas! I first saw them all over Tokyo, where it rains frequently, especially in September (which was the time of the year that I visited Japan). Of course I had to bring one with me to add some fun to rainy days where everyone just walks around in either grandma-ish designed or kiddie-like neon brellas! Unfortunately it broke (maybe I should not have gone for the cheapest model) and I haven't been able to find a nice replacement since. This one retails for about £15.00, I might have to place an order at Topshop!

The Balenciaga Motor Cycle Bag ♥

2009-05-09T04:55:00.000-07:00

Despite me not being much of a fan of this person, I still really love this purse! I love how it adds such a splash of summer color to the outfit. Here are some more celebrities with their pretty, pretty expensive, Balenciaga motor cycle bags. I love Nicky Hilton's fresh color combo. Lauren shows us that you can wear it day and night, it always looks cool =)At over $1000/ they're just a little bit out of my price range. Does anyone know where to find a more affordable version of it? I found one for $145 here but in my opinion the color is a bit too faded, it doesn't pop like the purple one Lauren has. If you can afford it, get the real deal here.

Shopping in Zagreb

2009-04-28T12:22:00.001-07:00

So every once in a while I need a vacation and we all know vacation also means it's time to shop!! Here's my new Teolo purse by Aldo, bought on sale in Zagreb :D

P.S. I also found this awesome store called Magma in the middle of the city: 4 floors full of goodies. I got myself a supersoft pair of black highwaist Topshop leggings (I like to fold the top part over). Best part: they offer a 10% student discount! Discounts make a shopaholic happy :)Oh, and, last but not least, the bf gave me a new awesome pair of flipflops to start the summer! I looooove, love, looooove flipflops.

90210 style

2009-04-22T08:41:00.000-07:00

In honor of the new 90210 premiering in Germany last Saturday, and giving me something worth watching on German TV other than Gossip Girl on lazy Saturday afternoons, here's an awesome outfit from the show.

Silver's American Apparel figure skater dress on the first episode:

dress: American Apparel

Buy it here. I think it looks best in the charcoal color shown here and I could totally see myself wearing it with black leggings, maybe sheer ones, with a belt...it's a perfect layering piece that shows off your figure, at the same time combined with a cute longer necklace it makes a great party dress. I also saw it on Jazmine on the "Taking the Stage" finale in a raspberry color paired with some leggings to the knee.

I love... short summer dresses!

2009-04-22T02:07:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my favorite fashionista outfits :)

Lauren Conrad

love this dress she wore to last year's MTV's VMAs,
need to find one in that shape!

dress: Pogah Couture,
shoes: Sergio Rossi
bag: Kara Ross

I love black & white combinations,
they look so classy!

(I have similar ballerinas from Italy
but I still need to find the perfect white dress!)

Rachel Bilson

L: almost black & white...
with a splash of turquoise
dress: Abaete

R: I like laid-back colors like this, love the bubble shape of the dress and the red belt!

dress: Brian Reyes

Spring is here - time for some Eco-chic!

2009-04-17T04:42:00.001-07:00

I found the perfect flip flop/ sandal for this season! And yes, you have read it right: they're eco-friendly. What am I talking about? Keep on reading...

They're from Gisele Bundchen's new 2009 Ipanema GB2 line. I have spent days, months, years of my life with my toes in flip flops and have worn out the cheap gummy ones in all colors of the rainbow from Old Navy all the way to shiny black & cork soled ones by Tommy Hilfiger. And let's just say this: No one can do flip flops like the Brazilians can! =)

They go really well with skinny jeans in the spring, shorts and even dressy skirts and dresses. I already know I'll have those on my feet all summer. They are the first flip flops that come close to my sporty Puma ones in terms of comfort, except they look chic on top of being totally soft and comfy! I like how they still have a tiny bit of a heel, without being as ugly as the big chunky platform flip flops I've seen around. (Although there are some platform ones in this line as well, I still don't seem to get platform flip flops).

I got the black/brown ones with the back strap. They retail for about $15-20 or 9.95-39.95 Euros (in Germany at Görtz or Salamander).

And, best of all, you actually help protect the rainforest by buying them, as a portion of the proceeds will benefit Brazil's Save the Xingu Waters campaign. Love them!

Enjoy the spring!

Decorate Your Neck!

2009-04-17T03:33:00.000-07:00

This winter left me with a new obsession with scarves. During spring the lighter, bright versions serve as the perfect addition to any spring outfit, keeping you warm on a chilly night without having to bring out that old winter turtleneck (just pair it with a cute long sleeve shirt), adding some pizzazz to black & white outfits.

Here are some of my favorites by Banana Republic, Forever 21 and Old Navy:

Forever 21, $7.90
(love the laid back summer spirit of this one!)

Old Navy, $12.50

Forever 21, $8.80
(perfect with dark jeans & white T-shirt!)

Banana Republic $59
(perfect with a work outfit: dark grey dress pants, white blouse)

Have fun shopping!

P.S. You can also wear a colorful scarf as a cute headband or a solid color one around your hips, as a belt or attach it to a purse for some color.

Welcome to my closet ;)

2009-04-16T12:52:00.000-07:00

I love fashion and everything around it! Ok, I'm not gonna pretend I'm into all those high fashion labels and love all about them, but I still love love love clothes and love dressing like I come from a beach city in Cali or a going to a brunch in Manhattan. :)

Fashion doesn't have to be odd, uniform, expensive, uncomfortable, for skinny people only. Combine basics from H&M with expensive pieces, wear flipflops to work, ditch the Ralph Lauren/ Lacoste/ TH polo shirts, wear your tube top as a skirt, make your own accessories, have handbags for every season and outfit, rock your own style!

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” - Coco Chanel