Style Trunk

I feel as though all I ever talk about is the weather on this blog but as it dictates my wardrobe, it's pretty apt. I'm in the middle of that weird spell where a blazer is a bit too light, a coat too heavy and knitwear heavier still, which means I'm in a bit of a style conundrum (first world problems). Enter the leather biker jacket. This is one I've had in my wardrobe for years and recently retrieved from my parents' house, but the best thing about this kind of piece is that it only gets better with age. Get a similar one from Topshop here.

A couple of weeks ago my boyfriend and I headed to Berlin for a bit of a high-summer city break and it's safe to say we both completely fell in love with the city. It was both of our first times in Germany so it was great to explore something new - with a lot of aspects of the city totally unexpected (we thought it would be all ex-Soviet concrete blocks rather than the wide tree-lined streets that surrounded our hotel).


It's definitely a city of contrasts (you can still feel the differences between the old east and west sides of Berlin, despite it being almost 30 years since the wall came down) but it works and that makes it all the more intriguing to visit the various neighbourhoods. It's also pretty cheap for a European city and caters for all budgets - in fact, the better food we had was in the more casual places on the lower end of the scale.

Where to Stay



We tend to go Airbnb when we go away but opted to stay at the Max Brown Ku'damm in the Charlottenburg district, where design played a big part in each space (hellooo Instagram) and the service was impeccable. Staff were really friendly and gave us some invaluable tips for exploring the city, plus their 'happy hour' lasts all night (try the espresso martini and basil smash). Hearty breakfasts come with the room too and were delicious - expect classics like eggs benedict, fluffy American-style pancakes and the must-try shakshuka.

Where to Eat and Drink

The Butcher

Those aforementioned breakfasts tended to fill us up enough that lunch wasn't really required but we definitely sampled some great coffee shops. Silo in Friedrichschain is a cool spot with great coffee - the service wasn't the best when we were there but worth trying if you're not in a hurry (their breakfasts did look amazing as well), while Distrikt in Mitte became our firm favourite.

The Butcher

In terms of restaurants, you're pretty much spoiled for choice. In the evenings we stuck around our hotel (Savignyplatz is a square lined in bars and restaurants), with The Butcher - a casual but stylish burger joint - probably being the best place, but there are also loads of Vietnamese restaurants that are worth a visit too. If you happen to be there on a Thursday head to Markethalle Neun in Kreuzberg for incredible street food, plus they put on a few events and have an on-site craft brewery.

Klunkerkranich

For drinks with a view, go to Klunkerkranich - a rooftop bar in Neukolln that has views all over the city. In true hipster fashion, it's on the roof of a car park which is accessible through a very non-descript shopping mall. Don't be alarmed if you think you're in the wrong place, simply take the lift up to the very top of the building and you'll soon find the bohemian watering hole.

Silo

What to Do

The Jewish Memorial

East Side Gallery

Tiergarten

Apart from that, we spent a bit of time in Tiergarten (a huge park) having drinks by the river and popping in and out of shops. Bikini Berlin is a concept shopping mall which is definitely worth a visit, other than that Voo Store in Kreuzberg is an absolute must for the best in clothing (they have an outlet across the road too), while I could have spent hours in Mitte's Do You Read Me?!, a small store selling hard-to-get English books and magazines.

Do You Read Me?!

Voo Store

To be honest, we felt like we only scratched the surface with Berlin and could do with booking another trip to explore a bit more, such is the extent of this incredible city.