NYC #6 // Express Yourself in Central Park

H&M Basic Top // ThuThu Shorts

Fleamarket Handbag & Sandals // Bracelet from an ArtFair

One thing I love about New York is that it does not matter at all how you look or dress like. The more time I am spending here, I feel the need to experiment more with my wardrobe and try out new things. Although the outfit I chose for the last hot weekend in NY is not 'new' in the sense that I never worn it before but new in a sense that it is not black, more colorful and just different. These ThuThu Shorts I bought a year ago turned out to be one of my favorite summer pieces. I love how the shorts confuses people and they might think: what is this, skirt or pants? :) I also love the traditional Vietnamese Sapa Pattern as Pocket Details. You should definitely check out ThuThu and her unique creations.

A beautiful smile is worth so much! Thank you :)

Strolling through Central Park that afternoon, we discovered the wonderful singer Bekhari from New York, who was in a middle of a shooting herself. We loved the golden details and her shoes!

Later on, we met the two Denim Ladies Shonelle and Cherish, both dancers from New York and the Netherlands. The Denim trend is stucking with us and won't leave anytime soon as I still see Denim-on-Denim Combos around the city. We really liked Cherish's Jumpsuit and Bomber Jacket, also the perfect mix with the Air Jordans!

 Of course, we had to take a Group Selfie :)

It's New York,

celebrate yourself! ;) 

My Beauty Essentials

Today, I want to present you what I actually put on my face every morning. Not only do I pay attention of what I eat and take in my body, but also what I put on my skin. Last summer, I've already showed you some Dr.Hauschka products, which I bought back then. Now, I want to tell you about what I have actually used over the past months. Most of my cosmetic stuff is organic and free from chemicals and toxins. Yes, it's expensive, but totally worth it!!! The products also last very long, so I'm glad that I found them.

When I get up in the a.m., I rinse my face with clear water to freshen myself up for the day and to hydrate my skin. After that, I apply some Coconut Oil on my face and let it absorb. This takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Oh and when I had a shower in the morning, I also use it as my bodylotion ;-) As a second layer, I put on the Dr.Hauschka Toning Cream, which does not only tone your face but also nourishes your skin with its needs whether your skin is dry, sensitive or normal. I really love the Toning Cream and as you can see, I use it every single day because then, you do not need any Make-Up anymore and my skin still feels good and unmasked. No worries if you're lighter than me, the cream mixes easily into your natural color. Then, I use a concealer for dark circles under my eye or small spots to cover up. Unfortunately, I do not know the brand name anymore.. that time, I bought it in the U.S., yes, I'm still using it, some things just never run out. 

For my eyes and if I feel like it, usually I do, but there are also times that you see me without anything on my face ;-) that's when I'm sick, overslept or just don't feel like putting anything on but coconut oil ;-) .. back to my eyes, I put on the Maybelline Lasting Drama-Gel Eyeliner in the blackest black, which a friend of mine recommended to me and it's pretty good, doing its work and lasting all day. I did not found any good! Organic Eyeliner so far, so let's see what will come across in the future. Additionally, I use the Benecos Natural Kajal which is really good except from the fact that it smudges under my eyes, so it's a OK, but for 3 € a good deal, compared to my other organic products. Not to forget the Dr.Hauschka Volume Mascara in black which does a very nice job, but is unfortunately not water-proof and a bit expensive with 16 €.

 

Whenever I go out for dinner or a party, I also use an eyelash curler to bring my lashes into shape, does not always work, but better than nothing, all Asians you're hearing me? :D And I'd put some Rouge from La Roche-Posay which I received from a dear friend. As you can see, there's not that much of an effort of my everyday beauty routines, the only thing I could never live without again would be Coconut Oil for its superpowers :)

Therefore, the Concealer and the Eyeliner are conventional products, but other than that I try to minimize my consumption and I think: ok, let's pay more for Organic Really Good Stuff which last very long instead of cheaper ones which run out very fast and are not high-quality. I guess, at the end, you pay the same amount of money. What do you think of Organic Products? Have you ever heard of Dr.Hauschka products before? :) Would love to hear from you,

many hugs xo

Impressions Berlin Fashion Week A/W 2014 #1

This year is the first time that I am attending Berlin Fashion Week for my own personal blog because I have already been there the last two times. The first time, January 2013, I volunteered for IMG and did some dressing and seating inside of the Mercedes-Benz-Tent behind the Brandenburger Tor. The second time was in the summer, July 2013, during my internship at LesMads.

Therefore I am pretty excited and glad, that I received some invitations to attend a few shows and fairs :) A few days before I was thinking about getting a haircut, but wanted something new and after strolling and actually stalking Chriselle Lim, I've definitely wanted them shorter. Remember my last haircut? :)

I've made a last-minute appointment at Theo's again and did it :) :) :) What do you think about my NEW HAIR? :) Yes, selfie from Instagram ;-) I'm not used to it yet, but I like it ♥ so different!

After this haircut, I've met some old friends from the very first fashion week Jan. 2013 and was really delighted to see them again, we've spent the day  together and you should definitely check out Fabienne's and Shari's Fashionblogs, too!

The three of us attended the shows of women's wear label Rebekka Ruétz and men's wear label Marc Stone. Stay tuned for a short review of Rebekka Ruétz :)

Right after Marc Stone's show, we had some dinner at Vapiano and then headed over to the Blogger's Bazaar Berlin. What's that? Well-known bloggers from Berlin went through their closets and sold many of their clothes to us :) It was a flea-market from bloggers like Mia from Heylilahey or Julia from Floralpunk and everyone could buy their clothes, a great idea to shop mindfully. So, did I shop?

Well, when I saw the beautiful necklaces and earrings Julia sold.. I just had to give in. I wasn't sure about how to deal with 2nd-hand clothes and presents from my dear ones yet, so I've figured, I just go to that Blogger Bazaar with my friends and see how it will turn out. Strolling through the clothes, I didn't see anything which I really really liked, but wasn't in a shopping mood either because I was carrying so much on my shoulders. I was really indecisive about the jewelry and had a bit of a bad conscious, but in the end, I gave in. Why? Because they are so unique, I've never seen them before anywhere else and I really like the edge. What do you think? :)

 

My boyfriend liked them, too, but I still wasn't sure.. Is this a cheat now?? Hmm.. he gave me the money and considered it as a present. That's okay, I guess? ;-) Check out Floralpunk's website and see what else they have, cannot wait to wear them ♥ oh and stay tuned for more Impressions of this Berlin Fashion Week!

xoxo,

Minh

21st Birthday Wishlist ♥

Well, another year is over and in two days I'm turning 21 :) I'm having a smile on my face right now because thinking about this year, it turned out really good.. so far ;-) There's a nice German proverb to it: Don't praise the day before nightfall! But we'll stay optimistic, right?

When I first came back to Germany in September 2012, I had a reversed culture shock since I wasn't used to everything anymore =D I had to adjust myself to German seriousness, but also to Vietnamese conventional lifestyle again (parents ;)), but that wasn't enough: friends and family had to get used to me and my new lifestyle now, less partying, more exercising, stuff like that, a lot has changed and if you want to know more, read on here. Unistress came along the way and the past winter was really about 'adapting' to my 'old' life again, but trying to stay the 'new' ME. Throughout this year I've met interesting people, some became friends, some I had to let go, and I think that anyone gets into thinking whenever another whole year passes. 
Time is flying so fast, right? 

This year, I'm not having big 'material wishes' compare to the last birthdays or rather: if material wishes like a pro-camera, a smartphone (yep, haven't one! yet! =D), I buy them myself ;-) This list here is really about things I need or would like to have for comfort.

Since I'm running around with my green metal bottle with hot tea inside, and it's actually not doing its work, I am looking for a NEW Thermos Bottle :) Simply plain, nothing special, just to have more than a cup on the go and to keep my tea hot for more than half an hour! Talking about staying warm, I'm also back in running and going to get myself a nice pair of Running Shoes, as well as a Running Headband. Super cold outside, but if you have the gear, move your butt I'm saying ;-)

How hard is it to NOT find a grey hoodie? Just scrolled through shopping-sites, impossible!!! I really like hoodies, but don't own as many because I can be picky with those. For my 18th birthday I've got a really nice grey one and am still wearing it. Now, three years later I'm seeking for a different color than grey =D Oh boy, but this selection is not better because it's all black: really fell in love with that super-cute and stylish Panda Sweater (always wanted a panda-sweater ♥) and the Black Hoodie from Naketano which would be more sporty.

Other than the more practical wishes for my birthday, I was thinking of buying D&G-TheOne again since my bottle is almost empty, but also thinking of changing my perfume, don't know yet ;-) Oh and I've just noticed the white nail-trend at my friends' fingers, so I'm totally digging the Essie Blanc Color-matte and pure whiteness :) 

Looks like this birthday wishlist is super long, but I think it's quite fair since most of the stuff I honestly need =D Broken running shoes, freezing ears, NO working thermos bottle and a new hoodie, which I get once a year at most =P are the reasons. Nevertheless and most importantly I cannot wait to spend some quality time with friends and family, have missed them so much since I don't get to see them everyday, week, month ;-) ♥

New In: Givenchy Le Vernis

For my farewell of my internship at LesMads in Berlin, my boss gave me this nail polish as a small present and although purple is not my favorite colour, I'm happy to have it. Why? I love to try out new things and I think that this colour is the perfect accessory for every autumn-outfit.

Givenchy Le Vernis–Lilas d’Exception is doing what I've expected, a very high quality lacquer with a nice opacity. I always do two layers of nail polish, so the colour will be richer and last longer. When putting it on your nails the colour will turn out darker which gives you a more elegant look. The lacquer costs about 20$, so be sure which colour you'll go for.

Yes, Lilas D'Exception is definitely a GO and thanks again to my boss Katja! If she hadn't given me this, I would have never seen purple on my fingers :)

Feeling fresh and new!

Yes, I've did it!!! It's not short, but definitely shorter, what did I say when I got my last haircut: step by step should it be. So, the end of my internship was coming and I thought: Okay, I'm up to it, I want something new, something edgy and cool and then I've called a friend: Basti Jung, who recommended me the hair-and make-up artist Theo Schnürer.

Theo actually did a Hugo Boss show in Berlin and you should definitely check out his website. Before meeting up with him I didn't have any real image or haircut to ask him for, I thought: Well, maybe, what about an asymmetrical long bob? 

It happened last sunday, Septemer 1st and when I went to his place, I was a bit nervous. Theo was super friendly and really honest with my needs. He suggested me to do something more classic because if I'd have something too edgy, I shortly wouldn't like it anymore. When cutting up my hair, I wasn't able to look into the mirror, so by the end when he finished blow drying I had to. I was like: Oh my world!!! Is this me??? I cannot look into the mirror, I look sooo different, haha. I didn't have shorter hair since I was five or so =D Super different, it's like I'm a new person, a new type and I LOVE IT :) :) :)

He then curled my hair a bit and showed me how to do a different style, so I left Theo's place very content and I'm super happy about that decision :) Sometimes you have a feeling and sometimes you should let that feeling overflow you and DO IT :) That day I was like a kid, jumping around and being happy all day because of my hair. My head was feeling so much lighter and I loved swinging my head and hair around, I felt like a hippie =D Haha, just kidding, oh no, I really did that =D

The first resonances were: - Is it you??? - Oh my gosh, what happened to your hair?? - Love it! - Now you actually have a real haircut. - And suddenly there's so much volume in your hair. =D =D - Looks a bit like Elin Kling, naah, do you really think that?

Apparently friends and family liked it as well :) So, what do you guys say? :)

Body Mist Shinjuku Bloom by & Other Stories

When summer was here, hope it will come back in a few days because right now it's pouring and pouring, I was getting sweaty pretty easily, I did not know what to do. It's not that I was smelling, but I used to rinse off my face and wrists with cold water just to get something refreshing. Around two weeks ago, a friend of mine, got me this: Body Mist Shinjuku Bloom by & Other Stories.

It costs about 15€, I guess 20 $ and comes in nine variations. Mine is a mixture of orange blossoms, cherry, vanilla and sandalwood. I take this when I'm on the run and have it in my purse all the time, so whenever I need a refreshment and something to awaken me up, I spray it onto my face and neck. 

Love the cherry fragrance, but it's really juicy and you have to like it ;-) Go out and try out the other ones. What do you use for as a beauty-summer refreshment?

Featured on Andy Sparkles

The wonderful Andy Sparkles did an interview with me and has asked me about my internship at the German fashion blog Les Mads, she also asked me about this blog, my must-haves for autumn/winter 2013/14 and what my future plans are.

How come that I know of her? Funny story, though. Back in 2011 I think, we both won a trip to Berlin due to a Glamour magazine hair model contest. We were there to find out who of the hairstylists is getting into the CULT team of Sebastian Professional. We met up there and then I've found out that she was just doing some modeling jobs, too. And now, two years later she has been doing great with modeling and it's so funny whenever I see her on magazines like Neon I'd be like: Hey guys, I know her!!! :) 

This year, she also started blogging and on her personal blog Andy Sparkles, she's showing a lot of outfit posts, but as well as beauty product reviews, her beloved cat and anything what inspires her. The pictures of her outfit posts are taken by her sister Christine, which I like the most because combining the pieces with each other are really striking.

Below are the pictures taken from the CULT style night back in 2011, each with our hair stylists :) .

Unfortunately the interview is in German, but let's see if I'll manage it to translate the whole thing to you ;-) So, to all German readers, follow this link here to read the rest of it! Thank you Andrea for this lovely feature on your personal blog, I hope to see you soon, wish you all the best, much health and many hugs.

Love,

Minh.

The Swoosh

Everyone is going short-hair and yes I'm honestly thinking about it, too! Rihanna just cut her hair and Beyoncé did it these days as well. Additionally strolling through one of my favorite fashion news blog Refinery 29, I came across the trend of the 'swoosh'. The swoosh just means that big wave or curl by running your fingers through your hair.

Model Daria Werbowy has it for a long time now and founder of Into the Gloss Emily Weiss did it the same way. Oh my, I really do like this trend but I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to cut my hair off since it is 10 years or more ago that I had a short-cut. I might just do it because I have the feeling that I'd be content with it and hey, you're only young once, right? And hair grows anyways.

Well, I'll let you know, because since my last hair-cut I've told myself to wait until September, when my internship and three-month stay in Berlin ends. Maybe a new beginning for me? Who knows, but a little change will spice up everyone's life ;-)

Magical Summer Nails

The other day I wanted to paint my nails and noticed in my beauty bag that I've never used the Del Sol nail polish before. I've got it last year when I was travelling through the U.S. Westcoast. In Venice Beach I got stuck on this lacquer they were selling on the boardwalk. Small girls had it on their nails and I was fascinated by it. Why? Well, putting it on your nails, it will turn out translucent, but going into the sun, the colour will come out.

It's like magic right?! :) When I put it on I was like: Okay let's see what will happen when you get out to the sun. First moment in the sun: Where is the colour? Okay, let's not be impatient, spread out your fingers and give it some time: Et voilá! There it was, the bright red on my fingers :) Love it! 

The more sun your fingers get, the more colourful your nails will turn out. Swimming in the lake, your nails will be red since the sun shines through the water :)

Where to get it? I'm guessing on your next U.S. or Canada-trip? Unfortunately you can just get it in the states, they also sell shirts and bracelets. Next time when I'm there, I'll definitely get some more colour variations!