April Aromatics

A fellow mother at our son's Kita, Tanja Bochnig, makes 100% organic handmade perfumes under the name April Aromatics.

I have yet to smell them myself but reading the ingredients makes my nose twitch with curiosity! They sound beautiful and as heavenly as some of their names. This former model and yoga teacher likes to walk barefoot in all seasons (just like my husband), and she conjures with passion, heart and some angelic help, her sacred, scented creations.

Available through her own online shop and also at selected retailers.

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

Australian Icons

So I'm not the only Aussie in Düsseldorfer Straße! In the next block is the shop Australian Icons, devoted to clever, beautiful design from Australia. Delights including Third Drawer Down tea-towels and pillowslips, recyclable shopping bags, Robert Foster's elegant designs and nifty and lovely Zaishu chairs/tables, amongst many.

I was thrilled to learn that I'm right next door, for those homesick moments...

Düsseldorfer Straße 76
10719 Berlin
030 8639 3668

Jacks Beauty Department

Situated in the heart of hip Prenzlauerberg is the gorgeous haven Jacks Beauty Department. The very lovely, down-to-earth (unscary for a fairly non-makeup woman like me) makeup artist Miriam Jacks will make me look my best for the big day. She's the owner of this beautifully decked out and stocked treasure trove for beauty products.

As you enter her boutique there is a "Lash Bar" with the most divine selection of falsies I've ever seen! Everything is selected for its quality, gorgeousness and practicality. And I do love the magazine cutout wallpaper she has lovingly put on the walls. Pure chic and a playground definitely worth checking out!