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!

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.

a new mask

Thomas bought me this beautiful mask the other night from the wonderful fetish store Boutique Hautnah, at Uhlandstrasse 170, where I've been looking for pieces to complete an outfit for a performance.

I can feel new artwork coming on...

Knopf & Schnalle

Also in my neighbourhood is Knopf & Schnalle, literally Button & Buckle, a sewing accessories shop that has been in business for 44 years, under the ownership of Monika Schönfelder.

She has a very good selection of buttons, threads and various other applications for sewing. Her tiny shop is orderly and fitted with original wooden Güttermann thread dispensers which made my heart swoon!

Great for the last minute button need as I am making baby clothes for friends at the moment...

Uhlandstrasse 56,
10719 Berlin
tel/fax: 030 883 8473

Mon-Fri 9 - 18 Uhr
Sat 10 - 14 Uhr

Dysfashional

On Thursday night I went to the opening of the Dysfashional exhibition, formerly shown in Luxembourg and Paris, at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt in the beautiful Tiergarten of Berlin. It showcases non-clothing and conceptual work from such big names in fashion as Maison Martin Margiela, Bless, Bernard Wilhelm, Hussein Chalayan, amongst several others, and then a special installation Bodies in Motion by students from fashion schools in Paris (Institut Français de la Mode) and Berlin (ESMOD).

I loved the installations by Bernard Willhelm & Christophe Hamaide-Pierson (very cheeky penis pictures as fashion magazine covers) and the artificial hair totems called "Babylone" by Justin Morin & Billie Mertens. I am so excited at the moment by work that makes me laugh out loud and is full of fun and cheek!

Mimi Antique Textiles & Dress

I love this city for its endless treasures tucked in side streets, and so I say one must discover Berlin by bike. I was riding past this beautiful little Schöneberg boutique for antique clothing called Mimi today, and had to stop for a peep. It is filled with a serious step-back-in-time collection of clothing which is commonly sought after by film and theatre people, including the likes of Quentin Tarrantino for Inglorious Bastards, for example...

They sew clothing & accessories from historical models, buy, sell and hire costumes, wedding clothing & vintage clothing.

Goltzstrasse 5, 10781 Berlin Schöneberg
Open Mon-Fri: 12.00-19.00
Sat: 11.00-16.00

Salonkatzen

The other day I was showing my mother and aunt around my old 'hood of Prenzlauerberg, and I finally (after 2 years of eyeing it!) went into a cute little boudoir of lingerie delights for the inner sex kitten... Called Miau Miau (dessous) and Chat Noir (Mode), it is beautifully decked out inside to make you feel like a pampered queen. Sexy lingerie, slips and accessories abound - definitely worth a peep.

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.

Feather Fascinators with Ruby Rouge

Today I met a gorgeous British girl who goes by the name Ruby Rouge. She was teaching me and another lovely artist Leena how to make our first feather fascinator. Ruby had a very successful London business for Burlesque accessories and has now relocated to Berlin to pursue other creative interests. We had great fun rummaging in her vast treasure box to create a little bit of fantasy, me for my upcoming wedding and Leena for use in her painting work.

Next on the list is how to make Nippel Tassels!

Sang Bleu 5

My friend Liz Ham in Sydney and I are two of many contributors to the new issue of sexy Sang Bleu magazine. Look out for all of me somewhere in the 600 page tome of delights... I am looking forward to seeing it very soooooon...

Tadshikische Teestube

My dear friend Lilli introduced me to this enchanting Russian teahouse, the Tadshikische Teestube . Located inside the Palais am Festungsgraben, it's a tucked away secret that I was thrilled to discover. You can sip teas from the world over, nestled cosily on cushions and there are Blinys and other snacks to keep your belly sated. But it's the room that I adore - malachite green walls and wood carved columns, with luscious textiles on the floor.

One word, it is essential to make a booking as this place is frequently PACKED!

Am Festungsgraben 1
Hinter der Neuen Wache (Unten den Linden)
10117 Berlin Mitte
030 204 1112

Open Mon-Fri 17.00 - 24.00
Sat, Sun 15.00 - 24.00

play

I had one of those moments this morning when your soul cries out for some play and fantasy - a clear case of my inner child needing some attention... So I made her the mask we bought in Sydney on holidays! Even for someone who is fairly well in touch with her inner child, it reminded me to make time to play with her... keeps you young, I promise.

A wonderful book (amongst many out there) exploring this area further is Recovery of Your Inner Child by Lucia Cappachione - it helped me enormously several years ago to open up this realm.