Spring Smiles

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

Spring is here - time for some Eco-chic!

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!

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.