Word Play

I just discovered this forward-thinking Berlin-based language school, Word Play, founded and owned by Adrian Iselin (pictured). Word Play is committed to ecological, sustainable living and teaching the English language to people & children from all backgrounds here in Germany. They run Eco Camps in English to get kids back into nature and away from computer screens, where let's face it, many of us spend more and more time these days!

This really is the future to me, companies that think like this and have as their goal: togetherness, inclusive communication, ecological awareness and fun to boot! What a great example to follow.

Bonscheladen Hamburg

After a recent little trip to Hamburg, where I feel very nostalgic for Sydney, it being a fellow port city, we came back full of cold sea air and a few treasures too...

We stumbled on this artisanal Bonbon shop Bonscheladen, in the charming Ottensen district, and watched fresh deliciousness being made before our very eyes. To suck on a warm, freshly-made bonbon is quite a treat for the tastebuds, let me tell you.

Roderik Henderson

Last night my friend Sabine and I went to the Sony World Photography Awards here, and saw a selection of winners from 2009. One of the photographers work we fell in love with was that of Dutchman Roderik Henderson.

On show were only these two of his award-winning series "Transvoid", a series of people waiting in their cars where he lived in remote British Columbia Canada. They are exquisitely intimate and nostalgic somehow, the gleam of an elderly lady's silver tooth in the moody light, fixing one portrait for me with the final perfect touch.

Tatau Obscur

Just around the corner from our place is a wonderfully exotic and gorgeous tattoo parlour, and I mean "parlour" in the old fashioned sense, called Tatau Obscur. Run by Berit Uhlhorn, pictured, it is a deliciously decorated feast for the eyes, part kind of 1950s diner/café, part exotica boutique, part art gallery downstairs and tattoo parlour upstairs. Every detail has been considered so that you literally walk into a "world".

Some seriously talented female resident tattooists work alongside guest artists and the outcome is without fail unique and yes, obscure!

Kandulski cakes

Ooh la la, I do have to admit to having quite a sweet tooth! Thomas and I discovered, thanks to our friend Kurt, another delicious place to satisfy one's sweet cravings, near Heiligensee, the place we will have our shamanic wedding in the woods north of Berlin.

The Polish, award-winning Café and Konditorei Kandulski serves the most divine selection of incredibly indulgent cakes and pâtisseries - Torten in the traditional sense - amongst other delights.

Open 7 days a week, they are located at:
Habichtstraße 14
13505 Berlin-Konradshöhe

Telefon: 030 - 9221 7682

Tom Shot jewellery

Designer Thomas Schwender's Tom Shot boutiques in Mitte and Prenzlauerberg are treasure troves of contemporary jewellery made from materials sourced in Germany, France and Italy. His handmade, small run collections feature accessories made with those looking for something innovative, beautiful and original in mind.

1900 Café Bistro

Yesterday my dear friend Csaba was visiting Berlin for his work and we met up with him at this charming café and bistro 1900, around the corner from Savignyplatz in Charlottenburg. It is decked out with homely, country style decorations and there were generous bunches of fresh roses or tulips on the tables which instantly spoke to my heart.

They cater for parties, and also provide free W-Lan access, so you can lazily sip tea or coffee and work away as if you were visiting a friend at home.

Knesebeck Straße 76, 10623 Berlin
030 8871 5871