Best of Berlin: Sports

Feeling alive, being active, love, passion, soul.

Best of Berlin: Music

 

Me, being a groupie =D I've listend to, danced to and enjoyed Clueso, Patrice and Seeed in Berlin City :)

Best of Berlin: Fashion

In brief: I've had my internship at Les Mads Berlin, had an interview with Susie Bubble, went to the Opening Show of Hien Le at Berlin Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014, bought my very first designer handbag by Zac Posen, had an unbelievable party night at the fashion week party by Les Mads, met up with Thuy Duong Nguyen, designer of ThuThu at her Sample Sale and bought this unique short, went to the Opening of the first Topshop store in Germany and had a few outfit posts with friends and me.

What wonderful three months full of fashion, food and more to come :)

Best of Berlin: Food

Tonight I'm skipping the Food Friday recipe, instead you get a few impressions of what I've eaten during my three month internship in Berlin :) There are more 'Best of Berlins' to come, so enjoy! xx

I want less. Here and now.

Yes, I've returned a week ago and now I'm back in my small hometown in the southwest of Germany. I'm back at college and unistress, back in my room full of clothes and stuff and the only thing I want to do is: Clearing my Clutter!

Back in spring a friend gave me this book to read and after that I was just in desperate need of clearing my clutter and getting rid of everything. She lives very minimalistic and I'm very looking up to her and still learning. 

The reason why I want less is because I want to change my shopping habits as well as the thinking of wanting, getting and longing for more. Although I'm posting clothes and also these fall essentials, I try to be aware of what I really need or just want, want and want. I want less because there are so many things which weigh me down, do I really need shorts in six different colours? I don't think so. 

When I was packing my suitcase to leave Berlin, I was like: What the hell do you actually own? You didn't even wear these clothes for a year now. Additionally, I think a few girls can agree, I still have clothes with tags on and there are a bunch of stuff I don't wear because it doesn't fit into my actual style now. It's hard when your style is evolving and changing year-round but I think for the first step I want to break down my closet into just essential pieces, which you can always wear differently or add accessories to change it up.

If you want to, check out Karen Kingstons book and read about how to not just declutter of stuff but also from the past and negative energies. It's super motivational and I would recommend it to everyone, it answers questions like: Why you keep clutter, how to identify and clear it in your home and workplace, how to clear it from your body, mind and spirit and then how to stay clutter-free! Happy reading! :)

I want less, here and now is a work in progress, so I've just started and if you're also into it, follow me and let's see how it will change us mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Fall Essentials 2013 #2: Boxy Sweater

For this fall I'm also looking for a boxy sweater á la Elin Kling, she's wearing the one from McQ by Alexander McQueen and yes, it's quite pricey. Looking for a boxy sweater from retailers like Zara, H&M, Topshop, Asos and so on can be hard, why? Well, try to find a perfect boxy sweater, which has that square shape, is more robust and please in the colours black, grey or white. Yes, the weather is super groggy and I'm all into black again, shame on me, but I just love everything black :) and having a big slouchy sweater on is the best bet for fall! I would love to combine it with black skinny jeans then or my Topshop leather pants, the perfect outfit for the season's changing. 

Of course, I've made some research and found some fair pieces, click to get your own boxy sweater and read my German article for my most wanted sweater this fall at OK COOL.

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? :)

Bouldering at Ostbloc Berlin

One week ago, my friends took me to a Climbing, bouldering place in Berlin. They wanted to show me one of their hobbies and I have to say: OMG! It was sooooooooooo much fun :) Haha, first I was really afraid of the height but after managing the easiest routes, I really wanted to go further and do the next step. The colours of the stones on the wall have different meanings, so yellow would be the easiest one and then blue, red and green. I tried to do one blue route and it took me awhile.

This sport was so much fun and it's so aesthetic! People there are all looking good and are so much in shape! I was kinda, sorta jealous =D but anyways, I think it's not about looking good but more of having fun with friends and people showing one another how to improve their techniques. At the end I tried and tried, but didn't reach the last stone, still, I was super proud of myself that I tried the next colour, which was more challenging. I hope that I can do this at home as well :) 

Trying out new sports is so exciting, especially when you have that high of doing better the more you try! It was like: Oh my, I really want to reach the last stone, achieving my goals and stuff but sometimes not achieving your goal is okay, too. You just have to admit that you're not strong enough, YET :)

What sports did you try out and want to do more often?

Food Friday: Vietnamese Pho Ga

The other day some friends have asked me for a traditional Vietnamese dish and they heard a lot about the typical Pho Ga. This is actually one of my favorites from my mom's, so it is really hard for me to cook the same one. Moreover my friends wanted me to do it for breakfast one day.  So, there I was, looking for Asian ingredients in Berlin, which were super easy to get. Just google Asian food market; I went to Mekong Asian Market at Hackescher Markt to get my stuff.

Ingredients:

Cilantro, spring onions,

Vermicelli noodles or rice noodles,

if you use meat: beef or chicken, and for the broth: Pho powder or mixture.

fish sauce, sriracha chili sauce.

Soy bean sprouts are optional. 

For the broth:

Fall Essentials 2013 #1: Plaid Shirts

This season everyone's going back to Punk and Grunge, we'll see a lot of plaid shirts, leather goods, black heavy boots and everything punkish. I'll try to sum up my fall essentials for the new season and hope you guys like it!

Right now I'm looking for the perfect plaid shirt, in German you'd call it a 'Holzfällerhemd' translated into lumberjack shirt, but I prefer plaid shirt. It's pretty hard to find the perfect one since I want it to be cool and grunge, also in the colours red, blue, black and you really have to be careful so it won't look like the Hollister/Abercrombie & Fitch colours!

A few weeks ago, I saw two girls rocking some colourful plaid shirts in green and yellow, it was kind of oversize and really really laid-back, super cool I've thought! Paired with denim pants and sneakers, a go-to-outfit for summer. In fall instead I'd go for leather skirts, black skinny pants or denim. Oh and do you know what I like the most about button-up shirts? Just wear it as a cardigan and if it's getting too warm, in fall? Yes! Maybe you're at a party or something, just tie it around your waist and be the perfect grunge gal! :)

Click for details of this selection.

New In: Topshop Leather Pants and Basic Shirts

At the opening of the first Topshop Store in Berlin, the press people had the chance to shop for an hour until the gate was opened for everyone. I took these pieces: leather pants and two basic tops. So, what do you think? Should I go fot the leather pants? They are pretty boxy and very sporty, but I like the look of it. Still, I do not know if it's worth the 45€ or 50 bucks. I've tried to style it in the wardrobe and I'm still not sure how to mix and match it. Hmm.. I mean, I was searching for some leather shorts and I'm really the shorts-type. 

Oh, by the way, I did return these golden Zara heels I spontanuously bought a few weeks ago. Why? Although they were golden and shiny, they just did not fit into my wardrobe and my current style. Need to overthink the shorts, but will definitely keep the basic shirts, love the casual fit of the grey one, do you believe that that's a size Large?! Yeah =D I took it, it was the last one and my friends liked it, too :)

Here are some similar pants from the Topshop onlinestore.

Opening of first Topshop 'Section' in Germany

Last friday I had the chance to go to the Opening of the first Topshop section in Germany. I call it section because they did not open up a store but rather a small section in a department chain. It opened up in Berlin in the KaDeWe, a huge store full of well known brands. The female section is located on the second floor and on the first floor you'll find the male brand Topman. 

Finally!!! We were waiting like forever to have the british retailer here in Germany, but before, there was the option of ordering the high-street clothes in their online-store. Still, it did not satisfy our passion for shopping because when I shop, I want to go in the store, see the clothes, touch them, try them on and just decide immediately.  Now it's possible in Berlin, stores in Düsseldorf, Munich and Hamburg will follow as well. 

The section includes a range of fall looks with a lot of punk and grunge options like plaid pants, blouses, coats, as well as bomber jackets, fur vests and leather pants. In the male section one will find printed shirts, suits and also accessories like backpacks. 

The Topshop section in the department store might not be that big or versatile as we hoped but nevertheless, we can now enjoy the real shopping experience of the british brand. In secret we're having our fingers crossed for an extension of the selection and maybe one day there will be an independent store. 

I'm wishing you lots of fun topshopping and yes, I admit it, I did buy myself something, 

not sure if I keep it or not, but for now, click through more pictures. What do you think?

P.S.: Read this for the German version at LesMads. 

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?

Black x Gold Fever

Not only do I love love love golden jewelry, I love the mixture of black and gold, especially in jewelry and leather goods, look at my first designer bag Z Spoke by Zac Posen. When I saw the new lookbook of the autumn/winter 2013 collection of & Other stories, I just had to get these!!! The box-chain necklace, the bracelet and these rings. Love the two tones, right now, I just adore everything edgy and black :) Maybe it's because it's getting pretty cold here in Germany.

Additionally the other day I saw a girl with this purse in the elevator, I did ask her where she got it from. It was H&M and on the onlineshop it was just sold out! Super funny! In a couple of days, this minimalistic purse with the imprint LOVE was just sold out. I've got lucky and found it on my satuday shopping spree in a shop and couldn't decide whether I should go for red or black. Decided for classic black then ;-)

I did more shopping this weekend because the first TOPSHOP just made its way to Germany and it was the weekend before leaving Berlin for college. Going back to school I guess, yep, my internship is almost over but I'll show you more of my purchases in a couple of days.

Stay tuned and happy monday :)

Food Friday: Vegetable Pasta x a hint of Garlic

When I was in the U.S. and we were super hungry and needed something very fast, we would do this kind of recipe. Easy peasy, fast and delicious.The kids would love it and it was pretty healthy I guess, since you can add any vegetable you like as well as a salad and some chicken. Have whole grain pasta instead of the usual ones, you will eat less and feel fuller soon.

Ingredients:

Whole grain pasta.

Half an onion, two garlic cloves,

fresh and dried tomatoes, some leeks,

one zucchini, red and green pepper, parsley

just about any kind of vegetable you like.

This was more of a leftover dinner, since these vegetables were the ones I had left. Start with cooking the pasta, since they'd need 8 -10minutes. Cut up the vegetables into small pieces. Put some oil in the pan, stir-fry the onion, tomatoes and one garlic clove.  

Tip: If you're cutting the garlic into big pieces, it won't taste as much, but if you cut it up very tiny and small, the garlic flavor will come out. So, do it as you like, I've cut it up into big slices.

Then add the vegetables, start with zucchini and add the peppers, stir until cooked, put the heat on low. Season with herbs, salt and pepper, add the dried tomatoes. Stir and then add some pasta, mix everything, taste and flavour it. Let it heat up for about 2-5 minutes and then you're done :)

Have some green salad with fruits, and if you like, some protein like stir-fried chicken. I always do chicken very light, until they are cooked instead of brown-fried. Stir the chicken with oil and some seeds, season with pepper, salt and chili pepper. 

Garnish everything with cut up parsley and enjoy your meal!!! :)

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.

Staying healthy x my food routines

How is this post going to be? Let's see.

Sometimes, when you're busy and exhausted, being tired all day and don't have time to think about a recipe or you just don't want to cook, anyone tends to just have a snack or eat something fast. And yes, I have to admit that I haven't worked out since two weeks now (skating is no workout for me, it's more like a pleasure) and I do feel kind of guilty, but I am not saying that I don't have time. 

I honestly don't like it when people say that they don't have enough time for something because if it's important they'd make time. Anyways, my point is that if I do not workout, I have other priorities like seeing friends and doing activities like skating, cooking, visiting the baltic seas since I'm going to leave Berlin in two weeks :( :( 

Still, the thing is you can actually stay healthy when you are aware of what you eat. I just want to give you some tips to stay healthy when your calender is about to explode. And no, there's no calorie-counting or making-oneself crazy about food choices. But I guess, that's everyone's own choice if you want to nourish your body with fuel or rather with a short sugar-spike.

Breakfast: Start your day with carbs and fruits, be it a fruit salad with some bread and cheese, an egg-omelette with a bagel or oatmeal topped with sliced fruits. Load up on carbs, prefer whole-grain and oats. No processed food at all.

Lunch: And then usually I'd have some fruit between breakfast and lunch again, just to have something fresh and enough sugar for the day. For lunch I often have a whole-grain sandwich with protein, salmon or cheese. Spread some vegetable spread on it or have a salad and bread. I'd always try to have some carbs, raw vegetables and protein.

Afternoon-Snack: Working or being at college all day, I usually have a down-turn around 3 to 5pm, in which I just want to sleep or rest a bit. There's no way out but having an afternoon snack since power-napping doesn't really work with me. Try it out, maybe it does work for you? It's recommended to be 20 to 30 minutes long. As an afternoon snack I'd have some fruit again, almonds, dark chocolate, green tea or self-made granola bars.

Dinner: For dinner I usually stay low-carb. Yes, I have to admit that I try not to eat carbs at all for dinner. It's not a diet for me, because I still eat carbs now and then but since living in the U.S. I've noticed that having no carbs at night I do not feel full as much so that I sleep better. Furthermore eating low-carb at night I can maintain my weight and I think it's reasonable that you do not need carbs at night anymore, since you're heading to bed afterwards. 

Oh boy, this is another food post I guess but I think you guys should know what my food habits are, you might question some of my recipe-posts. So, yeah, these are just a few tips to stay healthy and if you try it out, you might feel better, too. Be aware that I'm not saying this will work out for everyone of us and that this is the best to follow. It works for me, so try things out and see what works best for you :) We're all different and therefore have different needs and intentions. Maybe you're an athlete and you need tons of carbs, so go ahead, your body will thank you for ;-) Some of my friends, which have been influenced a bit by me, said that they feel much better and their skin is becoming better from day to day. I sincerely believe that you can eat your way to a healthy body, skin, appearance and will gain more benefits from it.

Start with healthy food shopping. And YES, I definitely indulge in some ice-cream, chocolate bars and pizza now and then, too. My mantra is: Go for 80% healthy, clean and raw and then 20% anything you're craving for (mine would be ice-cream in the summer). Many have asked me: Aren't you lusting for some cheese cake or chips and nutella sometimes? My answer: No, I think it's because I try to eat as clean as possible so that my body does not crave for artificial sugars and so on. Nevertheless, if there's a party or a BBQ, I definitely eat, lots, but do not feel guilty at all since I'm eating clean most of the time.

And never forget: Always have fun by doing it. If you do not want to make small changes in your food habits, then don't. This is a post for everyone who likes to experiment!

Click for more food pictures I've taken of my eats in the past, just found them on my computer...

Food Friday: Chili con Carne

This time the recipe is not as creative as usual, but this here was one of my favorites back in the U.S. I think it's one of the most easiest and you can hardly ruin it. Additionally it always reminds me of my life there, I mean it originated from the South of the States and I was the one always adding tons of chili sauce making everyone laugh. Well, it's called chili con carne, so it has to be hot, right? :) It's just super easy and fast to cook, you can bulk up on vegetables, beans and everyone likes it. And I'd say meat is optional here. 

Ingredients:
Onions, canned beans, corn,
any vegetable you like: zucchini, carrots, peppers, tomatoes.
Seasoning like salt, pepper and chili peppers, have some seeds. 

Start with heating up some onion and oil until they are golden. If you use meat, have some beef, stir-fry and season it with red pepper, chili and salt, when done, put it at the side. I wouldn't use oil stirring beef because it already has so much fat inside. 

So, vegetables I'd do seperatly, after stir-frying the onions, add zucchini until they are softer, then add the rest of the other vegetables like carrots, peppers and tomatoes. When cooking I always use the green peppers because I prefer the red ones for raw recipes like salads and stuff. Did you actually know that the green ones are just unripe peppers? Add the meat and mix everything together in a big sauce pan. The corn and the beans I'd add at last. Since you have the canned beans it gives you the needed broth for the chili. Now or later I'd add a lot of herbs, chili pepper and salt until it tastes desirable. Add some seeds or dried tomatoes for some spice. 

That's it I guess! Simple recipe and nobody will stay hungry :)
Have some rice, bread and a salad with it or have your chili as a dip with raw vegetables like I've did. 
Oh and sorry for the friday delay ;-)

Happy weekend!

1st European Longboard Dance Championship

What a wonderful weekend full of new impressions, Europe's best dancers, amazing people and so much passion and love behind it. When Fränky, the owner of the longboard shop Funky Summer Berlin, came up with the Eurodance and that he still needed helpers, of course I was all in. I was very much looking forward to this event and I was curious about the international skaters and the atmosphere.

Everyone already met up on friday night  for the Eurodance Beachparty just to get to know each other a little bit. We took the usual route like tuesdays and headed to a beachlike area. This was a BBQ and Chill Out thing, so after taking a few pictures and hanging out with the ten-year old super sweet Johanna and her family I shortly left.

Saturdays, the first day of the competition, I arrived around 1pm at the Velodrom Berlin and everything just has started. There were three categories: Men, women and kids until the age of 15. That day the competitors had two rounds to earn points and then to qualify themselves for the finale the next day. I would say that there were about 50 men (+/-), exactly 14 women and two boys. Skaters and longboard friends came from France, the Netherlands and other countries. I was just super excited to meet some internationals and to see what Europe has to offer in the longboard scene. Everyone showed off his talents and tricks. Towards the evening, we removed the bar and helped cleaning, the participants had the chance to take a shower and then come back for the 'aftershowparty'. It wasn't a party, it was more of a: everyone can do whatever she/he wants, be it skating or paddling with your board like surfboards (what my friend and I did >>so much fun, though!!!) or just sitting together and enjoying some acoustic music from Loaded ambassador Lotfi Lamaali.

On sunday, after this lovely night of singing and playing, I had to get up early for my morning shift. Haha, arriving there, there were exactly two people waiting. One of the judges and a french participant. I was like: Okay, where is Fränky? Shouldn't he be here to prepare everything so the participants can start at 10? Well, whatever, he arrived an hour later and we started by noon :) That day the competitors had another round to earn points. In the afternoon the judges counted these and the finale was set. 16 men, 8 women and the two kids made it into it.

 

Peter Markgraf, the skate pirate.

Lotfi Lamaali.

Femke Bosma from Utrecht.

Melanie Golz from Cologne.

Loaded Ambassador Laurent Perigault from France.

The finale started with the kids, and Simon the eleven-year old was actually the only one attending, but just before the contest started another boy came up: Konrad. From now on, it wasn't counting points anymore, it was just the battle between the competitors. It was about flow, technique and combos.

The girls competed until the judges decided for the finalists: Femke and Melanie. Among the men Lotfi and Jeff made it into the end. Due to rain and bad weather forecasts, we had to interrupt the contest and changed the spot of the finale. We went downstairs to the roofed spots and I have to say, it was actually more fun, more exciting and more thrilling.

The girls started and oh my gosh, you had to see Melanie, she was really stunning and super stoked in her element. I hope I'll find a video of her! Femke was also really really good, considering that she's only 15 and she made it into the European's best two! I cannot imagine how good she'll become when she's my age. Melanie danced backwards, jumped around and landed most of her tricks, which brought her the title European's best female Longboard dancer!!!

Jeff Ellis.

Lotfi and Jeff had another super interesting race. The french Loaded ambassador showed his signature tricks like the 'propeller' and jumped over a stick making a full twist. That was just amazing! Unfortunately I have to admit that I did not show as much attention to the other contestant Jeff, but watching him now and then was so much fun. I think he showed way more variety, which is why he nailed it and won the competition.

Jeff, Melanie, Konrad and all the others, you were superdupermega stunning! Congratulations about the titles and for showing your talents!

fränky and Lotfi Lamaali.

Furthermore I want to thank every single one who came to watch, to dance, to skate, to just hang around, to help, to organize, to drive and to make this crazy, lovely, warm, exciting, fun event happen. 

I was totally stoked by the tricks and passion the dancers put into their work, but I think that this wasn't about work or hard training, it was more about having fun, dancing and just being there to meet this longboard community. And YES, these people can really dance their names! Now, I'm super motivated to skate more often and to just enjoy this community, which has opened up. It's like: WOW, there's a whole new world to explore and everything just happened by sharing a hobby, a passion, a love for skating and dancing. 

Stay tuned for more impressions of the last weekend's event and a lovely interview with one of the most amazing people I've ever met. So get out there and go skating!

Love,
 

Minh