Sunday 31 August 2014

Silo(ve)

Silo(ve) // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance

Friedrichshain's youthful Third Wave Coffee hotspot has played a very significant role in my contented Berlin Leben. Silo was a total godsend during "crutch phase", providing me with an easily accessible and above all friendly alternative office in times of limited mobility. But this cherished little caffeine haunt is much more than that. Since Silo celebrated its first birthday this week (party pics to follow), I thought I'd pay homage to a spot I've come to associate with veritable glee and coffee-induced comfort.

Silo(ve) // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Silo(ve) // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Silo(ve) // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance

If their characteristic red crockery doesn't immediately win you over, then the spot-on interior, sterling playlist and charming service most certainly will. And that's before you sample the simple yet frankly magnificent food and drinks selection. Joining the likes of The Barn, Bonanza, Five Elephant, Oslo Kaffebar and Companion Coffee as frontrunners in the fiercely treasured Berlin caffeine scene, Silo's lovely owners take the business of Kaffee very seriously (and quite rightly too).


Whether you're after a casual working environment or just fancy zoning out with a top-notch publication or two (the choice is extensive and brilliant), Silo supplies the sweetest of settings. In an era of often impersonal and faceless communication, it's refreshing to have a community hang-out in which benevolent baristas know your order - soya flat white, standard - by heart and even greet you with a high five on your first crutch-free day in months. I'll drink to that.


Silo(ve) // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance

Raise your (espresso martini) glasses, shake your asses


Silo(ve) // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Silo(ve) // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Silo(ve) // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Silo(ve) // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Silo(ve) // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Silo(ve) // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Silo(ve) // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance

The deservedly winning party turnout and celebratory vibes were a total testament to Silo's sought-after status and faithful following. Here's to many more!

Monday 25 August 2014

#BLOGGERBAZAARBERLIN

#BLOGGERBAZAARBERLIN // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance

This weekend, Berlin-based bloggers and fashionistas alike flocked to cool cultural venue STATION Berlin, to take part in the latest Blogger Bazaar. Having previously graced Munich, Hamburg, Berlin and Frankfurt, the much-hyped event returned to the German capital for a summer party style bash. 

#BLOGGERBAZAARBERLIN // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
#BLOGGERBAZAARBERLIN // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
#BLOGGERBAZAARBERLIN // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
#BLOGGERBAZAARBERLIN // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance

Hatched with the intent of "bringing together bloggers, people and brands", the Blogger Bazaar was a neat opportunity to meet a bunch of likeminded folk from the Berlin blogging community, get inspired and snap up some stylish goodies in the process. 

#BLOGGERBAZAARBERLIN // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
#BLOGGERBAZAARBERLIN // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
#BLOGGERBAZAARBERLIN // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
#BLOGGERBAZAARBERLIN // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
#BLOGGERBAZAARBERLIN // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance

STATION's bright industrial interior was thronged with rated fashion/lifestyle bloggers and their stylish stalls, as well as a resident DJ and free refreshments courtesy of Vitamin Water, Häägen-Dazs and Ciroc vodka. 

#BLOGGERBAZAARBERLIN // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
#BLOGGERBAZAARBERLIN // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
#BLOGGERBAZAARBERLIN // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance

Super modish Bonnie Strange of THE SHIT SHOP, Claudia Zakrocki of cloudycloudyCATS & DOGS' Ricarda Schernus, Modeschopf and the This Is Jane Wayne crew (to name a few) were all present, selling their top-pick products at majorly discounted prices. Granted, much of their wares were most likely freebies to begin with - a clever wheeze - but it was still a smart means of minimising waste and simultaneously nabbing a beauty bargain or two. Brand new Chanel nail polish for 1€, you say? And the complimentary tote goodie bags were a pleasant little addition too.

#BLOGGERBAZAARBERLIN // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
#BLOGGERBAZAARBERLIN // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
#BLOGGERBAZAARBERLIN // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance

Material haul aside, the well-orchestrated fashion function offered - above anything else - a welcome chance to connect and communicate with the Berlin blogosphere in an offline context; the digital domain is a great platform, but we've gotta remember to keep it "real" every now and then too.

#BLOGGERBAZAARBERLIN // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
#BLOGGERBAZAARBERLIN // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
#BLOGGERBAZAARBERLIN // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance

Saturday 23 August 2014

Berlin Summer Market @ Neue Heimat

Berlin Summer Market // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance

As the giveaway clothing layers suggest, the 'Summer' part of this week's must-go market was more operative than literal, with Berlin's weather certainly feelin' a tad fresher of late. Nonetheless, the lacking heat was more than compensated for by the sunny vibes at Neue Heimat's latest market offering. A two week special (it's on next Wednesday too), the event purveyed a dreamy display of design, fashion, food and beats.

Berlin Summer Market // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Berlin Summer Market // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Berlin Summer Market // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Berlin Summer Market // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Berlin Summer Market // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance

A wholesome and diverse crop of the city's freshest firms in the worlds of fashion, product and interior design permeated Neue Heimat's expansive walls. Featuring THE SHIT SHOP, German Garment, HOWL by Maria Glück, Perlensäue, Twisted Talents and way more, the splendiferous selection of well-crafted goodies was just a bit tantalising.  

Berlin Summer Market // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Berlin Summer Market // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Berlin Summer Market // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Berlin Summer Market // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance

After navigating the labyrinth of expertly designed wares, you could then treat yourself to a first-class coiffure at resident hair salon Persona non Grata, a spot of beard grooming by top barber Rock-A-Ticky, some talon maintenance via THE SHIT SHOP's pop-up nail studio. A tattoo you say? They had that covered too.

Berlin Summer Market // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Berlin Summer Market // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Berlin Summer Market // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance

As is characteristic of these kinda markets, the food and bev line-up - if a little pricey by Berlin standards - was very handsome indeed. From fine fish dishes courtesy of Glut & Späne, to froyo vans and artisan cakes (salted caramel banana cake say wha), there was a lotta good food for thought. 

Berlin Summer Market // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Berlin Summer Market // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Berlin Summer Market // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance

To round-up, definitely worth catching it if you can. Check its second and final installment next Wednesday 27th August, 6pm - midnight.

Thursday 21 August 2014

Crib

Crib // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance


Welcome. I might not have as much time as I would like left in my beloved Berlin abode, but I thought it would still be nice to share a slice of the sweet, petite studio I've contentedly called home for the last few months.

Crib // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Crib // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Crib // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance

While a temporary residence (said with a heavy heart), this didn't change the importance of fashioning a solo space with my own stamp on it. After all, home is where you are and what you make it. And, if this year abroad has taught me anything, it's that - to me, at least - the notion of home can be pretty fluid. Nowadays all the more so. That is, as much as you might have strong roots in your Heimat, this isn't to say you can't continue to branch out and flourish elsewhere. Apologies for the cringe tree metaphor; I think it's kinda fitting.


Crib // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Crib // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance


Uprooting for a time, albeit fleetingly, has been a very valuable lesson in clutter clearing (physical and mental) and realising how much - namely little - I really need to be entirely content. After all, isn't it nicer to live with fewer things which carry more meaning? I think so. All the more so when occupyin' a solitary nest, you find yourself unapologetically savouring the small, simple indulgences; a smattering of fresh flowers, a vanilla scented candle or two, Otis Redding playing at full blast. 

Crib // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Crib // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance
Crib // It's Brogues © Brogues Cozens-McNeelance

I've always been an advocate for creating "me" time; the art of being comfortable in your own company holds more importance than ever in our era of - virtual and real - continuous communication. Living on my ones for a bit has certainly afforded me with that sorta headspace; a Private Party whenever I want. Particularly amidst the (wonderful) craziness of Berlin life, the perks to having my very own retreat are unparalleled: "alone but never lonely" and all that.