David Ellwand

I regret that my new-mama exhaustion forbids much posting here, but sometimes I find a way...

My husband and I were given the most stunning book for our wedding last year and it simply has to be shared: David Ellwand's book Fairie-ality Style. Using nature as his material he creates fairy dresses and furniture in a series of magical photographs. For any nature lover it is sublime, and teaches you to see the beauty around you anew.

When I need a dose of beauty I leaf through this book and my heart and spirit soar!

Lena Hoschek

My Leena introduced me this afternoon to another Lena - Lena Hoschek, fashion designer from Austria. It's one of Leena's favourite places to buy sexy, feminine, original, rockabilly inspired clothing with a touch of fetish to them. This gorgeously decorated boutique is for women who want to be seen and admired in all their glory! Think Betty Page - she is all over the walls, and is an obvious muse to the talented designer. It was sooo delightful to step into the dressing room which is an exquisite boudoir of sassy and feminine luxury. YUM. Think I'd better to hint to my husband that we pay a visit for my 40th birthday this year!!

Sibylle Bergemann

Hello readers, I know it's been 2 months since I last posted... my little 5 month old son is keeping me happily busy and yet the world continues to bear treasure, as usual.

I had a rare day out with my lovely painter friend Leena and together we saw the latest exhibition at the ever wonderful C/O of polaroids by a famous German photographer Sibylle Bergemann, whom I'm ashamed to say I had not heard of before. Born in 1941 in East Germany, she died last year at the young age of 69! She was one of the founders of the well-respected Ostkreuz photographic agency. Her work was beautiful, romantic, nostalgic, dreamy and very feminine. And it made us both want a polaroid camera.

Sandrine Estrade Boulet

Well, just a quickie because her work is absolutely charmingly irresistable! Having my little boy Benedikt keeps me so busy that my checking in here has been woeful, but occasionally I just have to!
So, I just discovered the work of this French artist Sandrine Estrade Boulet. She adds her imaginative vision to everyday life scenes and the result is pure poetry and fun. Check her out and keep your eyes out, I guess, if you're in Paris...

Semi-Domesticated

Semi-Domesticated is an initiative of Deidre Ritsche (Canada) and Anette Hansen (Norway), two friends who live in Kreuzberg Berlin. They are lovers of vintage, recycled, upcycled fashion, furniture and design, and curate (roughly) monthly Show & Sell events for young designers whose work fits this criteria, in their little boutique on Manteuffelstrasse.

Their recent Valentine's Day event was a treasure trove of vintage clothes, corsets, jewellery, naughty lamps, feather fascinators etc, showcased in a boudoir atmosphere, complete with handmade lingerie lightfitting!

The next event is Birds of Spring on 5th & 6th March. My recycled leather bird brooches are included in this next show and sell, which will take place while I am in hospital still, post birth! So, any Berliners reading, get to Kreuzberg and help bring spring to Berlin. I will look forward to seeing photos.

Manteuffelstrasse 58, 10999 Berlin-Kreuzberg

d.nik

d.nik spells "Kind" backwards, or child in German. This is the funkiest children's shop I have seen for a while! Full of beautifully selected design, toys & furniture for children, such as Scandinavian classic marimekko and American design genius Charley Harper (puzzles and counting books), it is bright, fun, playful and eco-friendly.

I fell in love with a knitted cubbyhouse, a cardboard castle, books and well, so many other things!

Wörther Strasse 14, 10405 Berlin-Prenzlauerberg
Open Mon-Fri 10.00-19.00
Sat 10.00-18.00

8 1/2 concept store

Formerly only pop-up stores for eight and a half weeks around Berlin and other cities, 8 ½ now has a permanent home - a concept store for young designer fashion and accessories, mostly from Berlin. The shop is gorgeous and stocks some really talented young designers, such as Esther Perbandt, Clarissa Labin (wonderful knits) and juliaandben, as well as an array of art books, vinyl and cds.

I had fun with the salesgirls and bought a 3D print dress, for summer and post-baby, by London store Beyond the Valley. Come on spring, let's bring on the sun and new life!

Kollwitzstrasse 42, 10405 Berlin-Prenzlauerberg
Open from 11.00-19.00

Fräulein Dickes

Yesterday I had a slow pre-baby wander through my old 'hood of Prenzlauerberg. It is very charming, that I miss!
A good friend introduced me to the tiny, beautiful, delicious café Fräulein Dickes on Stargarder Strasse. It has only 4 tables inside and yesterday was icy cold so we were many gathered around them, sharing tables too. The few outside tables must be hot property when the weather is warm!

They serve delicious soups, salads and cakes to have with your coffee or tea in the dollshouse-like perfection of this pretty little space. Definitely one to check out, and during the week may be a better bet than at the weekends to score a table.

Stargarder Strasse 60, 10437 Berlin.
Open Mon-Fri 8.00-19.00
Sat & Sun 10.00-19.00

Cydwoq shoes

I have owned a much-admired pair of these gorgeous, handmade, ergonomic and uniquely stylish Cydwoq shoes for many years. That's one beauty - they last and last!

Available worldwide and still made by hand, using in-house vegetable-dyed leather, in a large factory in California, the Cydwoq company is a fine example of staying true to self. The founder Rafi Balouzian comes from a line of shoemakers and continued his family tradition out of his simple passion for walking and nature... and every foot deserves to walk in utter comfort and style!

http://cydwoq.tumblr.com/ (blog)

Dr Sketchy's Anti Art Class

If you like drawing and fancy a Life Drawing class with sexy burlesque dancers for models, then Dr Sketchy's Anti-Art class is a must for you!

I went to the last one with a friend and it was so much fun. 3 hours of sketching sexy models in wild poses, including little competitions on the way to win some gorgeous looking books... No, I didn't win one, but one of my drawings was selected as a contender...

Held once a month at White Trash Fast Food at Schönhauser Allee 6-7, 10119 Berlin Mitte. Check the website for details.

Nutsa Modebadze

Thanks to one of my favourite blogs, Simply Olive, I discovered the stunning work of Russian designer Nutsa Modebadze, who makes my ideal leather bags and shoes. Goody, now I don't need to make my ideal bag!