Back in Christmas Wonderland

China switched to full on Christmas mode over the last couple of weeks – blinking lights in red, green and blue everywhere accompanied by kitschy cute Santa Claus faces and Christmas unicorns. Not really what we Europeans define as classical Christmas decorations, but then again who can blame them – it’s not like they actually celebrate Christmas. The Christmas equivalent in China is the Chinese new year – usually celebrated at the end of January or beginning of February (depending on the moon calendar).

Since I am back in Germany for the holidays I enjoy driving through the little towns with pretty lights in each window and on the trees. In Germany as well as France Christmas markets are a must during Advent – the time leading up to Christmas Eve. They have become widely popular in other countries too, usually emphasizing on the “German” Christmas market like Winter Wonderland in London each year. Even Beijing had it’s own little Christmas market a couple of weeks back at the German embassy.

I personally think that the Christmas Market in my hometown Trier is one of the most beautiful ones, mainly due to the location within the old center of the city, surrounded by old buildings from different eras and the Dome watching majestically over the many visitors. Have a look for yourself!

xxx

50ies look

  

My sister did this cool 50ies do for me when I was at her place. She is really into the whole era and always looks so amazing when she dolls up! I need to learn how to do this myself although my hair length is not ideal for these kind of hairstyles.

What do you think?

xxx

Ines

                                                                 

Meine Schwester hat mir ein cooles 50er Styling verpasst als ich bei ihr war. Sie ist ein Pro was die Ära und Vintage Styles angeht und sieht immer soooo toll aus wenn sie sich aufbrezelt! Ich muss lernen wie man das macht, leider sind meine Haare eigentlich zu lang für diese Art Frisuren, Schulterlänge ist da besser.

Wie gefällt es euch?

xxx

Ines

battersea car boot sale

I just nailed my final chinese exam! It really could’t have gone better, all the revision finally pays off. Now there is only my last report and my last exam on the 29th to worry about and then I am freeeee! :D
I digged out these pictures from a couple of weeks (?) ago, that was when Nicky, Thea and me went to the Battersea car boot sale. I am slowly getting to my goal of having visited all the car boot sales that Time Out wrote about here. Now that the weather is getting warmer (well not right now, it’s been bloody raining every day for the last couple of weeks – it even hailed today!) the car boot sales are back on the agenda.

About 3 min into the market I already found the first bargain – an oversized vintage Levis for 12 quid! I spend about 60 quid in total I think and bought so much cool stuff but somehow Thea didn’t buy anything (how does she do it?). I’ve got to say that the Battersea car boot sale is one of my favourite and also one of the biggest I have been to so far. I disagree with Time Out that its supposed to be not the cheapest of its kind, because I found lots of bargains. It is indeed great if you're a seasoned fan of vintage but there is loads of newer stuff too. It does get really busy though so if you want to ditch the masses you should go early.

What? Battersea car boot sale

Where? Battersea Park School, Battersea Park Road, London, SW11 5AP

Entry fee? Early-bird entry £3 from noon, 50p after 1.30pm.

xxx

                                                                               

Ich hab gerade meine letzte Chinesisch Klausur gerockt! Es hätte echt nicht besser laufen können, all die Lernerei zahlt sich halt doch aus. Jetzt steht zwischen mir und meiner Freiheit nur noch mein letzter Report und die letzte Klausur am 29. und dann hab ich alles hinter mir! :D

Derweil hab ich euch mal diese Bilder von vor ein paar Wochen (?) ausgegraben, das war der Tag an dem Thea, Nicky und ich den Battersea car boot sale unsicher gemacht haben. Car boot sales sind die englische Version unserer Flohmärkte. Ich harke nach und nach alle car boot sales ab die das Time Out Magazine hier gepriesen hat. Jetzt wo das Wetter wieder etwas wärmer wird (ok, nicht jetzt gerade, die letzten paar Wochen hat es ausnahmslos geregnet – heute sogar gehagelt!) kann man schon mal den ein oder anderen Sonntag nach den besten Flohmärkten suchen.

Nach ca. 3 min auf dem Gelände hatte ich dann auch schon mein erstes Fundstück in der Hand – eine oversized vintage Levis Jeansjacke für £12 – gekauft. Das ging dann ungefähr die nächsten 2 Stunden so bis ich sämtliche £60 Bargeld ausgegeben hatte und überglücklich mit vollen Tüten raus schlenderte. Thea hat es irgendwie geschafft gar nix zu kaufen, fragt mich nicht wie sie das macht. Ich muss sagen das der Battersea Flohmarkt auf jeden Fall zu meinen Favoriten gehört, er ist auch einer der größten auf denen ich bis jetzt war. Generell kann ich Time Outs Meinung das es nicht sehr günstig ist nicht wirklich zustimmen da ich echt viele fantastische Schnäppchen gemacht habe. Es ist auf jeden Fall der richtige Ort wenn man nach guten Vintage Stücken sucht aber es gibt auch viel neumodisches. An einem schönen Tag muss man sich allerdings auf Menschenhorden einstellen, wer die also vermeiden will sollte die £3 für ein early-bird ticket springen lassen und früh hingehen.

Was? Battersea car boot sale

Wo? Battersea Park School, Battersea Park Road, London, SW11 5AP

Eintritt? Early-bird Eintritt £3 ab 12, 50p nach 1.30pm.

xxx

jardin du palais

 

What I wore: Dress – Primark | Coat – Vintage | Boots – Topshop | Fur Stole, Necklace – H&M | Watch – Claires ||

Hey Guys!
I know its been a little quiet around here lately but in the last couple of days I just couldn’t find the time to blog. These pictures are still from my easter holidays, anyone can guess where?!

As you know it was my birthday last week and my besty Michelle came over to visit me (who’s birthday it is today – happy birthday my honey!!!). Unfortunately I got sick the day before and had to hand in an important report the day before which meant that I basically didn’t have much time for her the whole day. We did have a lovely night at Bavarian Beerhouse though, although the decoration was a bit lame… but the waitress made up for it – everybody is so sweet there, if you ever have some time and don’t know where to go, go to BB in Old Street!

Anyways, the whole weekend was rainy so we kinda stayed in most of the time which was still nice; nothing better than watching movies with your best friend when you’re ill and its raining outside! Michelle left on Tuesday morning and since then I have spend pretty much every minute at Uni, working on reports and presentations. Really stressfull right now but then again, these are the last 4 weeks! Eeeep! Can’t believe I will be done on the 29th of May!

But yeah, until then there is loads more to do, so don’t expect too much from me, Uni is priority at the moment! I do think about going somewhere after my exams, was thinking of Marocco maybe, any suggestions?

xxx

lovely brighton

   

Wearing: Jacket, Skirt and Shirt – H&M | Boots – Topshop | Scarf – Vintage | Bag – Camden ||

Ah Brighton! I love you!
I have been in London for more than one and a half years but somehow I never managed to go to Brighton before – although it’s just one hour by train!

The weather could have been better but we didn’t let that bother us and instead enjoyed our time as much as we could. We had a blast trying the different rides on Brighton Peer – the ghost ride was so lame but we still managed to laugh (as you can see) -although Kerstin was more like WTF? :D Andrea and me even went on this bad boy which accelerates from 0 to 60mph in less than 3 seconds, with a force of over 3.6G’s in 2.8 seconds it feels like your legs are getting pulled away – my calves feel like I’ve been running for miles now! The ride was only 5 quid and lasted forever – if you are an adrenalin junky you have to try it! Ah-mazing.

We had Lunch at Café Aldo, which is a bit of an inside tip because it looks quite inconspicuous from the outside but they do amazing selfmade Pizzas for around £6! We did a bit of shopping as well but it was already quite late so we decided that we’ll have to go again soon and have a little bit more time for it. There are definately a lot of amazing stores in Brighton (although the vintage stores I have seen were all quite pricey… any insider tips?)!

I’m off to Brick Lane once more, have a lovely sunday!
xxx

                                                                                      

Bilder von unserem gestrigen Trip nach Brighton! Ich wohne jetzt schon über anderthalb Jahre in London und hatte es vorher noch nie nach Brighton geschafft – dabei ist es nur eine Zugstunde entfernt!

Heute keine ausführliche Übersetzung, zu langer Text! :D Nachher gehts wieder auf nach Brick Lane wie jeden Sonntag, wünsche euch ein schönes Restwochenende! 

xxx