5 casual outfits from H&M

With the real summer and the warm season about to start, more and more outfits are needed. For me, as a very - maybe too - active mom, having a diverse wardrobe ready to change and match for different occasions, is a priority. As pregnancy and birth did not changed too much my size, I feel free to use old stuff, but it is never enough and new items are more than welcomed. The everyday look is always easy to adapt and change and right now it is the right moment for an update.

During my latest trip to a H&M store in Berlin, my eyes and purse were caught up by these 5 casual outfits:

Flower midi blouse, available for 14.99 EUR. In the picture there is the XS size features, but all other size options are available. The predominant dark colours makes it less joyous, but if you match it with a yellow or pink or light blue skirt, you can obtain some blooming colours effect.

Scarfs, scarfs, scarfs - on sale! Prices between 3-10 EUR. I never have enough of scarfs and my collection is updated permanently. These ones are good for any occasion, part of the day or season, as a scarf or head covering. 

Square shirt with long sleeves, 24.99 EUR. I am not too much into working-casual, western style, but this shirt is made of quality material and gives you a youngish, school-girl like took. 

For keeping up with the sport style, this long sleeve midi T-shirt is made of a very thin material. Avaiable for 9.99 is also produced in the XS version. It goes well in the late spring or mid-summer, accompanied by some gray shoes or some denim skirt.

In case you are looking for a bit of casual sophistication, this red skirt, with the cotton lace and the different sizes of layers is my recommendation. Available for 14.99 EUR - sales season, it can be the piece of resistance of an outfit which also includes denim skirt, white or blue or black skirt. A skirt with some flower imprint is a good idea too. 

What about you, what are your spring casual outfits?

Pros and cons of second hand clothes shopping for babies

Berlin, especially its Eastern side, is full of stores where second hand products for babies are sold. Usually in this part of the city, there is a high concentration of babies too and thus, these stores are just recycling a lot of things, some of them hardly worn. 

However, how recommended are those products, especially for babies? I am talking here about clothes and shoes, as I will address on a separate post the issue of car seats and toys?

Here are a couple of pros and cons:

Pros:

- Children are growing up fast and you better find some affordable pieces of clothing for less as in one month time you will have anyway to buy more.

- As the clothes were washed so many times, the harmful chemicals and other substances are already out of the material.

- You protect the environment as using products made already save the harm produced while creating new ones.

Cons:

- What about the germs contained in clothes from previous owners ???

- Second hand clothes often look tiresome and...just second hand...Do you want your kid to look like a beggar? Even if he or she does not notice that for now....

- Sometimes you do not save too much money. Some Oxfam stores in Germany can be quite expensive in fact.

My choice:

- I am not a big supporter of second hand clothes. I NEVER EVER use second hand shoes, for instance, and I never buy from stores. Stores like ZEEMAN in Germany offer nice and colourful and very cheap clothes so why not use this option instead?

- I prefer to take clothes from people I know and wash them before using. I am very selective though and choose the ones that look fresh and are spotless. 

Gucci spring inspiration

Even not always with the right budget on my card or in my purse, I never refuse myself the pleasure of having a look at the high fashion products. And as I am lucky enough to live in a city where luxury shopping is well represented, I checked recently some interesting items from the Gucci collection. There are a lot of accessible models, shape and design like. There are elegant colours, uni or in different combinations, such as the pink and deep blue or this green and pink with Chinese models. Maybe it is a too strong statement, but anyway, once in a while it can create a good impression.

This very elegant salmon pink dress with black pink adornment is courageous too and not modest, but if you put underneath a skin coloured blouse, it can work perfectly for a special occasion as a wedding or a particular celebration.

The aggressive pink dress is even more beautified by the black accessorize. The blue dress invites to Caribbean mood and some beach and cocktails too.
The items are available at the Gucci Store Galerie Lafayette Berlin.

Statement bags by Vivienne Westwood

The rebellious and innovative dame of the English fashion, Vivienne Westwood ask women to dare. To dare being themselves, playful yet determined to state who they are. Without any excuse for their choices and ways of life. 

From elegant clutches to big bags for the business ladies, everything can be matched to different occasions and outfits and even moods. I am thinking particularly about the variations of colours. This sweet lily clutch for instance, is the best choice for a Romantic mood, isn't it?

The classical Derby cross classic variants are there, with prices that start from around 125 till up to 500. However, it is an investment in brands that last and quality. And a strong statement too. 

As in everything signed by Vivienne Westwood, the English precision and the French perfectionism. Everything is a work in permanent processs as it should happen with our lives. 

The bags are available at the ground level of Galeries Lafayette Berlin. 

A visit at the third shop of Zara Home Berlin

Zara Home opened recently its third shop in Berlin, on Ku'damm 203-205, corner with Knesebeckstrasse, after the closing of the eccentric fur shop Pelz Lösche. It covers an area of around 600 sqm, and is deserved by a relatively customer friendly personnel. What I don't necessarily appreciate in many shops is that moment when the vendors are setting up their products during the high-hours of the day, either bothering the clients with their movements or because too busy to answer different questions. 

The shop is separated into different sections: kitchen decorations, kitcheware, bathroom, bedroom, children. The prices are moderate to high, but don't desperate, it is the season of sales and for sure you might find something affordable soon. Besides the shop on Ku'damm, Zara Home has another affiliates in the Mall of Berlin and the Boulevard Berlin, in Steglitz.

As I am very much into natural colours and inspiration, I fell in love with the various table covers and napkins with pastel butterflies and flowers. 

There are also a lot of models of candels that can decorate and provide intimate natural light to any space. They vary in size and shapes, including as a huge elephant. Many mirrors seems to have a clear Oriental, especially Indian, inspiration. Out of many models, I am in favour of the silver framing, elegant and special.

As usual, pillows are a difficult choice to make and being creative involves also mixing various materials, such feathers added to soft cashmere. De gustibus...

When not too into eclecticism, the simple, spartan brownish colours can be a good choice for any season, residence, budget and tastes.

The predominant pastels are kept further on also in the case of bathroom products, which looks like an inspired choice because is an invitation to silence and quietness. 

Some products can be a real hit and become a shopping obsession, as in the case of this goose shaped vase with silver endings that reminds me of noble times and rich tables. 

For the children room, the predominant note is seriosity, offering the usual items you want to find in a child's room, but without too much room for creativity or even naivity.

 After all, why not keep being classical...?

The space for creativity is left, it seems, for the decorations of plates, with an unique funny collection of fashionista cats. Even someone seriously allergic to cats can appreciate it!

 The rest of glassware is not spectacular, either with simple classical shapes and discrete decorations,

...or with some strong colours that are not necessarily the style and colour that I may enjoy to look at during a lunch.

Some living room and lobby vases and decorations also did not pass my special good taste test. Too much non-authentic glittering may end up into kitch.

Hopefully, there were enough flowers and predominantly white imprints that are making a great difference in terms of taste, bringing a slice of countryside in your home and at your table. Very important to have them especially during the long winter. 

For the end, this perfumed box, with various good looking products caught my attention for their stylish presentation and the promise of wellness.