NYC #11 // When in New York...

Start the day right.. nope.. not with brunch, 

but with real yummy breakfast. Recipe here.

 

 Walk around and enjoy the little things.

 Visit the Costume Institute Exhibition Death becomes Her

in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Diego Rivera // The Café Terrace

Max Weber // Athletic Contest

Find your favorite artwork

in the many, many exhibitions.

Dream yourself back in time.

Pamela Barsky

Stroll through Chelsea Market.

See Ms. Liberty, at least once and

for free from the Staten Island Ferry.

Explore Downtown.

Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge.

 End the day with a nice sunset from Dumbo.

Celebrate Pumpkin Season

and do pumpkin-everything!

Look up. Yep, away from your phone.

 Siblings Army

Discover new artists and designers at

Artists & Fleas, Williamsburg.

Try something New!

Have delicious food at Smorgasburg.

Take a moment to step back and

be grateful.

Mindful Monday: Shopping Madness

NYC #4 // "Money looks better in the bank..

..than on your feet", that is what Sophia Amoruso, founder of Nasty Gal and author of the NY Times Bestseller #Girlboss recommends us. As soon as you get out of the airplane and land in the heart of Manhattan, you see shining lights with photo-shopped ads everywhere. Anytime, you will find sales going on: Buy one, get one 50% off. Buy 4 for 25$. Buy two and you get the 3rd one free. It's crazy! People are running around with huge shopping bags as if spending money would be their biggest hobby. 

Of course, I am tempted, too. There are so many stores you won't find in Germany and designer brands, where you just want to dive in and all the consignment stores and flea markets. Oh my! It's shopping heaven for any fashionista! What shall I do? Buy or not buy, that's the question... I know these are first-world problems, but Mindful Monday is there to reflect and rethink my actions. Before coming here, I already made myself a shopping list and only wanted to buy specific things. Now this list has reached its edge and I don't know what to do. Did my 6 Month-Shopping-Challenge teach me something? 

Yes, it did. Every single day here, I tell myself: Try to keep your money together, save it, you will need it. Only shop what you love, not because something is cheap! Be selective and live within your means. Think first. So, at the end, I didn't get these nice pair of Nike Wedges. Amoruso is right, I do like my money on my bank account better than on my feet.

Mindful Monday: The Game with my Conscience

The six month shopping challenge is over and my conscience is making me nuts again.. Why? Because I just went shopping on saturday, but it wasn't that kind of shopping, not this mindless strolling through stores just to kill some boredom. No! My skater sneakers are broken, so I needed new ones. I've met up with a very dear friend and she was also looking for some new sandals, we knew which stores we wanted to check out. 

So, we were successful on our shopping trip, maybe a bit too successful, here's the deal: I found some nice Nike SB sneakers, the grey ones with the pink tongue and then, the sales assistant brought me the other pair, the wine-red ones, and I fell in LOVE with the color of it. Of course, I tried both of them on, but hmm.. would I wear the red ones for skating? Probably not because they look too good. Once again, I was mega indecisive! That’s what happen when you see beautiful clothing, they fool you and your mind. What now? One pair for skating, and the other one just because of aesthetics? 

When I came home with both of them my conscience was telling me: on the one hand, you did not really go shopping for the past half year, so treat yourself with both pairs, but on the other hand, it said - what was all the talk about less is more and being mindful about each purchase, do you NEED both? Yes, I still feel kind of bad for this and still think whether or not, I should return one pair. This is the game with my conscience because not consuming is not the solution, but making good choices about your consumption, that's all about because we all do consume, whether clothing, food, technical things, etc. 

In this moment, writing these words, I am still not sure, but in my opinion, it's about you, what you want and what you think about it. It's not about your friends, what they will think or your own conscience, but whether you can live with it. If yes, take them, if not, then leave them. 

Make a choice and stand by it. 

It will be a good one because you cannot change it. 

It is the right path.

Mindful Monday: The Shopping Challenge Review

Oh my! My legs are super tanned in these pictures, I guess the tan is still a leftover from my sunburn I got a few weeks ago, well that's what happen when you're legs are in the sun, and the other part of your body is hiding in the shades :D But most importantly is the fact that my 6 Month Shopping Challenge is over today, wooohoo :) :) :) I think these are the important questions and answers you want to know: 

1. Why did you do that?

I've started this little project as a New Year's Resolution because last year I have realized that I definitely want less, here and now. I wanted to clear my life from clutter, to reduce my life from excess to the most important things, I just wanted to cut down from everything, instead of wanting more, wanting less. My closet was overflowing with clothes, handbags, scarfes, tons of jewelry, shoes and so on that I decided: I cannot do this anymore, I don't want this anymore, it's taking my energy and to be honest, it's weighing me down. I don't know whether or not you understand it, but often to think clear, you must clear your mind. So why not start with yourself and your consumption behavior?

 

2. How was your experience throughout the 6 months?

The very first month, starting in January, was pretty hard with so many Sales going on and friends trying to 'go shopping' with me, but I was able to resist and say NO to all that craziness of shopping, buying, consuming and wanting more, more and more. Instead, I've spent some time sorting out my closet and go to flea markets to sell some stuff, you can read my 1st and 3rd month reviews here and here. I can now say that I still have too many clothes in my closet, but I feel better that I did not go shopping for most of the time.

Why most of the time? Yes, I have to admit, I failed. Or cheated? If you are very strict, 3 times. The 1st time was at the Berlin Fashion Week in January when I bought myself some Floralpunk earrings; my boyfriend then gave me the money for it, so it was 'kind of' a present from him. The 2nd time was actually at a flea market when I bought a dress and a scarf from my friends, which were 2€ in total. And the 3rd time happened this easter break when I spent some days in Berlin and had to visit the newly opened Uniqlo-Store, the very first one in Germany. I fell in love with this beige 100% Linen Blouse and had to have it. I love the natural color, I love the feeling on my skin and I love to combine it to more beige stuff from my wardrobe in the summer :) Yes, it was a really tough decision because I left the blouse with the tag in the bag for another 30 days, thinking and deciding whether or not to keep it and looking for some fairtrade-or-ecofriendly similar shirts. There was no exact one and I decided: it's a keeper, but I won't wear it until the 6 month challenge is over. So, I guess, I failed 3 times in total, but I am still proud of myself that I did it, I tried, and this was not the end. 

3. How did it change your mind? And what about the future?

Six months of no-shopping are over now, but I realized that this is an ongoing-process, no start and stop, but it's about learning, failing and doing the best you can. Therefore, I am extending my no-shopping challenge for an unlimited time. I extend it to my everyday life, not only for this period of 6 months. I feel very content about it, yes, I failed 3 times, but I am still learning, I don't want to put myself under too much pressure and then blame myself, but on the other hand, I will also try to focus on myself more instead of listening to others and media, who and which influence me and my shopping choices. My boyfriend once said: advertisment creates artificial needs.

I also want to work against an overconsumption of anything, be it clothes, food, electronic things etc. You do not need as much to live a rich, healthy and happy life, there are way more important things and it's also not about having the newest, fastest, best ... on earth, but about quality and meaning. 

Everything in my life is leading to more sustainability right now. Instead of satisfying short and immediate cravings, shopping or food (you know what I'm talking about), I try to choose sustainability and longevity. For example, if something breaks, I don't throw it away immediately, but find ways to repair it, either I learn how to repair it myself or ask for help :)

4. Oh and what happened to the creative part of this? 

DIY? Mix-and Matching old clothes? Trading? 

I've actually did trade clothes and borrowed some stuff from my friends and neighbours, crazy huh? Yeah because if there is something I really really need, I just ask around and I can assure you, someone has it. Talking about the more creative part, mix and matching, yes, I did look for more older clothes and fell in love again, but capturing it with outfit posts was pretty hard for me in the past year. I will give my best and try to blog those outfit posts more for you ;-) Oh and my DIY projects are still in the planning, so I'll keep you updated with that as well. 

This was it so far :) What do you think of my experience, and about my new Linen Blouse? Will you join me in my process and when does your shopping challenge start? Maybe tomorrow? I will also give you some tips on how to shop less in the upcoming posts ;-) so stay tuned!

Have a wonderful new week ♥

P.S.: Another thing I've noticed was that, okay, I do not spend my money on clothes anymore, but more on organic foods and superfoods, which can also be pretty expensive when you're a student, but my thought behind it is: it's my body and my health, it's so worth it!  More about this soon!!! :)

Prag Store Berlin

Since I've spent my last summer in Berlin for a fashion internship, I love to go shopping here because you have a variety of big and small retailers. Last week I took a stop at the newly opened Prag Store in Berlin Mitte and found myself in a minimalistic and cool environment offering labels such as Lala Berlin, Kaviar Gauche, Rika, Avelon, Ina Beissner Jewelry and more. Prag Agency, which combines Sales, PR and Architecture, opened up this Flagship Store to not only welcome customers and friends to shop, have fun and get inspired by their interior and fashion selection, but also for events for instance during Fashion Week. I very much liked how they styled and combined the different fashion pieces and accessories, so you can go shop your whole spring-summer outfit there right away :)

So, whenever you're in Berlin and want to find something unique, urban and chic, this is your shopping destination! It's also really easy to find, situated on Friedrichstraße 40, it is not too far off from the center, yet in a more calm area of the touristy-Friedrichstraße. 

Prag Store, Friedrichstraße 40, Berlin Mitte

Tue - Fri 11am - 7pm, Sat 12am - 5pm

One Week Off in Berlin

Hey there :) I just came home from my one week off in Berlin and just wanted to say that I am still alive ;-) Right now, there's too much going on, exams are coming up, too and I don't really find that much time to blog and be online. Sometimes, I am also happy to be more outside instead of working with my computer all day long. Still, I took a few pictures last week and would like to share with you here, so stay tuned for some Fashion, Food and Green News from Berlin :)

Hope you had a good start into the new week ♥

Mindful Monday: Shopping Challenge Month # 3

How am I doing with no shopping? :) Actually pretty well! The picture underneath was taken at the 2nd flea market I went to this year and there, I was able to sell some of my stuff. My closet shrank a bit, but it wasn't that good as the first one. There weren't as much people coming to the flea, but it was okay. I still had fun with my two friends next to me :) especially because they've never been to a flea market to sell their own stuff before. So, it was funny seeing them selling and trading with their clothes :) 

Oh, okay, I have to admit, I did buy something.. but it's from my friends and 1 € each. It is a grey scarf and a shirt/dress, so yeah I don't really count these items ;-) hope that you're okay with it! But I still need to figure out what I am going to do with the leftover stuff I brought back home.. maybe my 3rd flea session this year or should I sell some on the Internet? Do you have any recommendations? :)

What's more important is that I do not have the need to go shopping anymore. It's like: whenever I stroll on fashion blogs or shopping sites, these pictures trigger my need to buy, buy, buy, but if I stay away from those, I don't even care and hey, I feel much better about it :) I think that I am really saving a lot of money and reflect more about what I want to spend it on. 

For example, I saved some money..

1. to buy me a new Camera:

Yes, finally got myself a Canon DSLR EOS and 

I am still superduper excited about it because taking pictures, 

especially food pictures ;-) is waaaay more fun!!! :) 

Check out my instagram :-P 

2. to join a regular Yoga Class again:

I've also started a new Yoga class this morning to get back deeper into it :) 

because I know, it makes me happy and calm.

3. for the special moments:

activities with friends'n family,

 and travelling :) 

Oh my, that's actually why I am saving for.. travelling this summer :) :) Cannot wait to tell you about my big plans, but what about your New Year's Resolutions? Did you have any, do you stick with it or did you already quit?

Mindful Monday: Shopping Challenge Month #1

I'm back!!! Yes, why is that?? Well, I have been working on papers the last weeks and college just took over my life, but now I'm back on the blogosphere (this word is so! weird, but kinda like it =D) Anyways, how was my very first month without shopping so far? I have to say it wasn't that bad.. I'm trying to stay away from any stores, but honestly I had a moment when I couldn't say no to step into the Zara store, just to have a look. Yes, a tiny little bit of the past sale season. What happened??? I've started whining and told my friend: why?? :-( Why can't I shop RIGHT NOW? =D Okay, I felt like a dog, who was waiting for my owner to pick me up and leave this place again. I've told her: please don't show me your items, I will wait at the front door. Ridiculous right? =D 

By the end of the month, friends came up and asked whether I wanna join them to sell stuff at a flea market and if you know me, I'm always in when it comes to fleas and second hand ;-) So, I picked out clothes from my closet which I haven't worn in ages or which were new, but never worn, especially clothes from my time in the U.S. ;-) and the three of us had a blast there. Many girls came to our table and fell in love with the items. We've also sold shoes, unused beauty products, jewelry and handbags, oh and we've had a 1 € basket for scarves and shirts :) It was so much fun! How did it feel afterwards?

Oh my, I felt soo relieved that lots of my unused clothes got new happy owners because honestly they were just hanging around.. Besides I made a good amount of money to save up for a big trip this year!!! It is definitely easier to save up and to spend less when you have big plans. Travelling is always something I want to spend more money on rather than spending it on clothing! Therefore it was totally worth it and the next flea is waiting for me :) What about you? Are you into fleas, too? Do you own stuff that you don't really touch or wear? Sell them! Oh and at the end, I didn't buy anything this month, but swapped something! More to come, so stay tuned xx

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