Waiting for the sun

Three more weeks and I'll be in Tulum, Mexico. This is the first time that I booked a long-distance holiday last-minute. We had been thinking about it for a while but did not look for flights until last week. When we found a pretty good offer for the flights I could not say no (well, at first I did and then I thought this chance was too good to let it pass). It wasn't easy to find availabilities in hotels/ cabañas - but now we're all set. 

I still have tons of work to do before we head off, but the prospect of white beaches and palm lined coasts makes it a lot easier. 

Also, this holiday will mark the break between two stages in my life and I am looking forward to the very exciting new chapter that lies ahead of me. Stay tuned. 

Image sources.

The fringed jacket

I remember how, some years ago, I was looking for a leather jacket with fringes and it was really difficult to find one. Now, fringe jackets are everywhere - and I still love them! With the Western and Boho-Seventies trends (still) going strong this year, it seems there is practically no way around fringes. In terms of the jackets, you can choose between the fringe-adorned biker jacket or the suede "gringo" jacket.

Here are some of my favourite fringe jackets from this season: fringe biker jacket by 7 For All Mankind, "Curtis" jacket by Saint Laurent (comes in black, too), biker jacket with fringe details by Iro, suede Western jacket by Scotch & Soda, and fringe biker jacket by BLK DNM (available here). There's another fringed biker jacket - by Each x Other - available on the Outnet, and a suede-version by All Saints.

However, the best place to look for that kind of jacket is your nearest well-assorted vintage store or Etsy. Me, personally, I am still looking for the perfect suede jacket.

Photos by Free People, which is also a very good address for fringe jackets, WhoWhatWear, and Topshop.

25 hours in Berlin

I'm in Berlin quite regularly, but usually for work appointments – which means I never have the time to check out that restaurant or breakfast place I read about, to meet friends, ... etc.
So last weekend my boyfriend and me made a trip to Berlin "for pleasure", as airport immigration would say, in order to catch up on all that. Of course my list of places I wanted to go to and people I wanted to see was far too long for two days, but we did our best to use our time in Berlin well.

We stayed in "25 hours Hotel", which ticked several boxes at once: it's right near "Bikini Berlin" (a "concept shopping mall" hosting several young fashion labels), the hotel rooms overlook Berlin's zoo, plus the hotel has a really nice bar, restaurant and coffee shop.
My personal highlights: afternoon cocktails in the hotel's "Monkey Bar" – since it is located on the 10th floor you can sip your drink while watching the animals in the zoo; waking up to a blue sky and a view over the elephant, monkey and giraffe enclosures; and having breakfast in a hotel restaurant whose atmosphere resembles a conservatory.

Two other places we visited and that I can recommend: have dinner at Crackers and check out the new concept store "The Store" at Berlin's Soho House (my boyfriend hated it for the same reasons I loved it: marble tables, a good selection of luxury/ niche fashion and beauty labels, green smoothies and home-made juices, vegan snacks (I had banana bread with coconut cream and a flat white), and a hip crowd). Of course there are a million other places I love in Berlin, I hope I will get round to making a Google map for you soon.

What I'm wearing on the above photo: "Canada" scarf by Acne, coat and paisley shirt by The Kooples, leather trousers by BLK DNM, Chloé "Susanna" boots (an ebay score), Saint Laurent bag. 

Sneak peek: le sac

Maybe you've seen it on Instagram - I have a new friend. More about it soon. #SaintLaurent #Sacdejour

Spring summer 2015 bags - my selection

I could call this one: the usual suspects meet the new guys. Because when it comes to bags, I will always always fall for a classic black leather bag - especially if it's Proenza Schouler (their "PS1" is still one of my favourite bags of all time). So every "new season edit" I do will most probably include a black leather bag.

If you have been following my blog for a while, you will have noticed that I am a bag lover - it's neither shoes nor fancy dresses, it's bags that make my heart race and my mind go blank. Which, in my opinion, is reason enough to do a little feature about my favourite new bags for spring/summer 2015.

My three favourite trends: fringe bags, bucket bags, graphic print bags - and the odd pink bag. Here's my selection from top to bottom: Bulgari "Serpenti Forever", Proenza Schouler "bucket shoulder bag", Barbara Bonner "Andrea" arrow bucket bag, Proenza Schouler small "PS1 fringe satchel" in suede (and their classic leather), Paula Cademartori "Kate" shoulder bag, and Jimmy Choo "Candy" bag with silver stars - all available via Farfetch.

Which one is your favourite?

Post in cooperation with Farfetch.

Trend alert: get your scissors out!

It started with Vetements, a young fashion label from Germany, and is slowly taking over fashion blogs and their Instagram accounts: the asymmetric hem. Is this going to be the next big thing in terms of jeans after the frayed hem?

It certainly looks new and modern – and cleverly combines the trends of frayed hems, retro-inspired straight legs and Seventies vibe. But I'm not entirely sure yet if I'll actually grab a pair of scissors to attack my jeans ...

Photos: Vetements, Lacooletchic.

Rocket Pearl

Remember what I said about Danish jewellery design - here's another testimony of my love for it. I have been eyeing Trine Tuxen's simple yet eclectic designs for a while, and ever since I got her silver "bullet IIII ring" it has become a new favourite. Also, it goes perfectly with my "Rocket Pearl necklace" by Vera Vega, another highly talented jewellery designer from Denmark (I seem to have a soft spot for silver pearls).

What I'm wearing with it: T-Shirt by Être Cécile, Zara leather jacket, Topshop jeans, holographic clutch by Marc Cain, jewellery by Isabel Lennse, Sophie by Sophie, Catbird.

Vintage shopping: Vestiaire Collective

If you follow me on Instagram, you might have noticed that I am a huge fan of online vintage shopping. While I often feel overwhelmed and/or disorientated in actual vintage stores, the online version is just my thing. You can take all the time you need to rummage through the stock, put items on your virtual wishlist and even create product alerts.

One of my favourite places for vintage fashion and accessories on the web is Vestiaire Collective. A few years ago I used to browse through ebay a lot, but I was put off by the amount of fakes on the platform. Vestiaire Collective, in contrast, guarantees the authenticity of all products sold on the site (I trust the brand experts in Paris), which makes shopping so much more fun. After all, when you finally invest in that luxury vintage handbag you want to be sure it's authentic.

I admit to being a regular at Vestiaire Collective (though, most of the time, only for adding products to my wishlist) and I've put together a selection of my favourites which are currently available on the site: patchwork denim jacket by Isabel Marant, sunglasses by Céline, bracelet by Monica Vinader, weekender by Louis Vuitton, mini bag by Saint Laurent, boots by Iro, and paisley blouse by See by Chloé.

Post in cooperation with Vestiaire Collective.

What to buy in Copenhagen

I did a quick trip to Copenhagen this week for Copenhagen Fashion Week. Between fashion trade fairs and shows there was just enough free time for a little walk around the city centre and some obligatory shopping.

Because when in Denmark, you have to buy Danish home accessories (I would say "furniture" if it was easier to carry a table or a chair on the train/plane), and jewellery by Danish designers. I did my best to be a good shopper and visited several of my favourite stores within thirty minutes. Those include: Stilleben (beautiful home accessories, furniture, art prints and jewellery ... they also have a web shop), Hay House (everything from little bits and bobs – even toothbrushes look pretty here – to stylish furniture and, of course, anything Hay), and the department store Illum (good sections for both home and jewellery).

Here's what I brought home with me: metal box by Syuro (a Japanese brand), coaster by Chen Chen & Kai Williams (this brand, too, is actually not Danish, but from Brooklyn, NY), key ring by Hay, and tiny earring by Pico.