Shopping: Coin purse

I met a dear friend who was visiting from Brazil this weekend. She gave me this really cute and creative coin purse her roommate has started making.

She uses old milk boxes to create these coin purses and brands them with some worldly wisdom. I really like mine, being: Ter coragem de ser felix. (Have the courage to be happy.) Very Paulo Coelho, isn´t it?!

I think I am going to use mine for the beach and for hiking (as the happy cow surely would like to meet some fellows of hers).

Voilá:

Sirocco at Lebua State, Restaurant (Bangkok)

After having watched "Hangover 2" I feel travel-sick. Especially the scenes shot at Sirocco restaurant on top of the Lebua State Tower reminded me of the time I dined there in 2007.

Bangkok offers tons of rooftop restaurant/bars but Sirocco claims to be the "world's highest al fresco restaurant". I totally believe it. To me the place is magical. I have been to various high buildings but I remember when I stepped out into Sirocco I suddenly realized they were never outdoor. What a difference that makes!!

What impressed me most was the sheer size of the space. I remember there was a piano/live singer, the golden dome was nicely lit and tables were set nicely leaving generous space in between. As we went there late we missed the sun set but were mesmerized by the views of Bangkok. (The quality of my pictures is not so amazing, check the official webpage for better impressions).





We did not think about temperature when planning our outfits so we actually got chilly on this 63rd floor. Unsurprisingly we were not the only ones and the staff had pashminas in place for everyone in need to wrap oneself up.

Food was five-star-excellent. For sure not an inexpensive night but good value for money.

Enjoy!

Le Méridien, Hotel (Stuttgart)

I am usually reluctant to participate in sweepstakes, but couldn´t resist to try my chances to attend the VOGUE & LA MER beauty night. I have not used any of the products before as I find the prices somewhat prohibitive and I don´t think my skin is as aged (yet). Still I have read so many articles and heard friends gush about the wonders of the products that I was really curious to find out myself. After having completed the questionnaire I totally forgot about it until I received the invitation in the mail. Lucky me.

So Tuesday night I joined about 20 other ladies (and one gentleman!) to learn about the LA MER product range. The event took place in the presidential suite of the Le Méridien hotel in Stuttgart. My first presidential suite! I absolutely loved the size of the bathtub as it probably fits three people comfortably. Other than this the bathroom was very "golden faucet"-style. Not so much my thing. The other rooms (dining room, large living room with fireplace, winter garden) very more contemporary and pleasantly furnished.

After some wonderful food we were divided into groups of about 5 people and each given one instructor knowledgeable about LA MER and skincare. Then we all performed a skincare routine sampling LA MER products. Instinctively most of the products felt too rich and heavy for me but my skin actually seemed to like them. So I will probably become a LA MER user sooner than I thought ...

This is the goodie bag we received:


Enjoy!

Shopping: Dress

Because I was in the area anyway I stopped at Outletcity Metzingen just to see what´s new.. As usual I didn´t leave empty-handed. My favourite discovery is a white dress by Hugo Boss that I am very much looking forward to wearing in summer.

Voilà:

Shopping: Flor de Sal d' Es Trenc

One of my favourite beaches in Mallorca is the beach of Es Trenc in the south-east of the island. It is approximately about 5 km long and set in a nature protection area which makes it very special: there aren´t any hotels in close proximity.

There are different ways to get to Es Trenc. If you follow the road to the Ses Salines entrance to the beach you will pass the salt fields.

Before passing the salt fields stop to do some Fleur de Sel shopping at the official store of Flor de Sal d' Es Trenc (Check Google Map: 39.350316,3.011228). The store is small, new, welcoming and invites you to relax and browse. The offer - naturally- includes all Flor de Sal d'Es Trenc products as well as other mallorquin specialities and other organic products.


Photo taken from Flor de Sal d' Es Trenc

All of the various Flor de Sal flavors can be sampled. My absolute favourite is Flor de Sal Gusto Olivas Negras.



The salt tastes absolutely deliciously very intensely like black olives. Super yummy. Never spent so much money for so much salt :)

Enjoy!

Cassai, Café & Restaurant (Mallorca)

Having spent last weekend on the Balearic island of Mallorca, I started this week very relaxed. When exploring the south-east part of the island we drove thru the little village of Ses Salinas and simply had to stop at Cassai because it looked so beautiful from outside.

The restaurant has inside and outside areas, some roofed some open-air. The interior design is very charming, colors are mainly white and cream. It feels very much elegant shabby chic.



We just came for a quick stop and had some delicious desserts. I especially liked the traditional Mallorquin almond tarte as well as the Creme Brulée with foamed apples.

Enjoy!

Shopping: Dress

I bought a new dress in the most amazing color! I was strolling around Palma de Mallorca headed towards Passeig de Born when I was drawn to a small boutique. I had a quick glance across the floor and was drawn to about 5 dresses displayed next to each other in the same shade of intensive blue.



As they were all Diane von Fürstenberg I knew they would probably fit me well as I own a couple. I tried the one dress I liked best, it fit perfectly and 10 min (and a credit card slide) later I was the lucky owner!

I am so looking forward to wearing it for the weddings I am invited to this summer.

Voilà:

Shopping: Prescription glasses

Just returned from Livigno where I spent the Easter week for some skiing. I am sad the season has ended but also can't wait for summer to start!

This has been my third time to Livigno, a tiny Italian village close to St. Moritz Switzerland. This place is very unique due to its location: it is nestled into the mountains and can be reached via a toll tunnel from Switzerland. Thus getting there is always a little adventure.

The place is very friendly, skiing is fine, food amazing aaaaand: there is duty free shopping! The product category with the largest offer is glasses, especially sunglasses. As I just bought a pair at Miu Miu in Milano I was not really in need of a new pair. But then: who is ever in real need? :)

Instead I decided to finally buy another pair of prescription glasses. I chose Prada because they looked good. I especially like the blue trim the glasses have.

Voilà:

That's bakery, Café (Milano)

Just after the macarons-hype took Milano by storm (Ladurée opened in 2010) the city now seems to enjoy cupcakes. As long as Magnolia Bakery isn´t branching out I like to enjoy the sweet American temptation at That's bakery in Via Vigevano, between the Naviglio Grande and Zona Tortana.

When in Milano for the Salone I enjoyed some cupcake-breakfast with friends. This is the vanilla cupcake, dressed up for the approaching easter holidays.



Enjoy!

Shopping: Sunglasses

Milano was built for shopping. This time I sneaked into Miu Miu and got myself some wonderful new sunglasses. I am not so sure about the case as it reminds me of an old grandmother´s coach, but I guess that´s super-ironic-avant-garde and I just don´t get it.

Voilà:

Social Media Fashion Monitor

Les Cahier Fashion Marketing Journal published an online article about my Master thesis. I co-wrote the article with my tutor Francesca Romana Rinaldi.

I am so proud.

Enjoy!

Cortiina, Bar & Hotel (Munich)

Perfect afternoon tea with a friend in the little hotel bar of Cortiina hotel!

Museum Brandhorst (Munich)

In 2009 Museum Brandhorst in Munich opened and I have been wanting to visit ever since. Finally I managed to have a look at the amazing building by Sauerbruch Hutton architects.

From the outside the museum is very colorful and thus very representative of the architects' work.



The interior is warm & welcoming because wood was chosen as main material.



The paintings I liked most were "City Landscape" by Alex Katz because of the dark blues and the contrasting firefly-like light elements.



Also I really liked the exhibition room on the very top, full of Cy Twombly larger-than-life rose paintings.



The roses were accompanied by the following poem I liked:
Rose
brief
brief in its beauty
but the
Scent
better than Fame

Enjoy!

Blue Spa Terrace, Bar (Munich)

After a busy day in Munich the most relaxing place to meet friends for coffee, tea or drinks is the Blue Spa Lounge on the rooftop of Hotel Bayrischer Hof in the city centre next to Fuenf Hoefe area.

Even though the bar is part of the hotel's spa area that was redecorated by Andrée Putman recently it is open to the public. If it is really cold you can sit by the open fireplace indoors but of course sipping a nice drink on the rooftop, enjoying the view of the city and maybe even the sunset is nicer. If the weather is chilly the service provides you with fake-fur blankets and there are patio heaters.

The menu is very big including all sorts of spa/health drinks, juices and teas.

Enjoy!

Saatchi Gallery (London)

I really liked the old Saatchi Gallery located close to the London Eye with all its Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin wonders. I was therefore very excited to finally visit the new location near Sloane Square.

The building is huge and nicely located next to a children´s sportsfield. Very picturesque and tranquil considering its still central location. The inside is very light, rooms are inviting and big, the wooden flooring giving a cozy and warm feeling.



I particularly enjoyed the work "Exstacy Almond Blossom" by Mustafa Hulusi and Clarisse d'Arcimoles photography.



Will definitely be back.

Enjoy!

Peggy Porschen, Café (London)

While strolling through Belgravia after a visit to the V&A I stumbled across Peggy Porschen´s newly opened (2010) café.



The atmosphere is perfect for a girls-only-high-tea. You feel like entering a wedding cake as the café/store is all pink and white and decorated with Peggy Porschen´s amazing signature cakes and cupcakes (3,50 pound each).



I loved my classic vanilla cupcake.

Enjoy!