Carry-on sneakers = Birkenstocks + socks
Packing Core: Checking in at the 2 week mark from Berlin
Hallo aus meiner Badewanne, which means hello from my bathtub - I hope!
Yesterday I was writing this from the tub and thought, IT IS MIDDAY, midweek, midsummer. A light rain is falling on the ground, and I can hear the echoes of the pitter-patter from the 5th-floor Berlin apartment we’re calling home. It's been raining more this July than I can ever remember on any prior European adventure around this time. After 4 weddings since May, a cold has finally caught up with me. Thank god for a bathtub, rainy weather, and German vitamins. My shoe choices for the 2-month challenge have been daring yet functional. Now that we're hitting the 2-week checkpoint and I finally have access to laundry, here’s a sprinkling of packing notes:
MVPs of my travel spa bag so far:
Josh Rosebrook Nutrient Day Cream SPF 30
Josh Rosebrook Hydration Kit
Remedy Cleanser (in the AB bottle)
Merit blush (these minis would’ve been a good shout, too)
Footwear:
Pro tip: Nike water shoes!!!! put on by
via Stephanie Ketty, I brought the pink but I’ve been thinking about swapping them for the blue pair I also purchased by mail for the second half of the trip. They WILL be the shoes of the summer next year I feel it in my bones and have already said this.Knocked off row jellies in aqua. This is such a silly price for plastic, come on. Honorable mention to the Melissa x Y/Project light blue pair I considered for the colorway, but in the end, I chose function for swimming and hiking.
$16 of joy, pre-Amazon wedding purchase Manolo shell heels - maybe the Melissa x Y/Project again would’ve been a tad more functional since they work well on cobblestone and uneven surfaces; however, I felt that I’d already worn the bronze color enough after the May and June trip, plus the clear orchid pair took up too much space and I’m preserving for bridal memories. Can’t beat the shell detail for the manolos ~*~
Birkenstocks - Staud collab edition, super comfy and can pass as a closed-toe shoe with socks on in true German style
Rick Owens freebie flip flops (from a kiss boot purchase) for SPAing (…they don't know i’m wearing Rick in the wet room, do they?)
Comme si multi pack socks >> If you've been reading, you know how this brand has captured all the extra attention in my last two brain cells. I initially purchased a PJ set, then individual boxers and pants second-hand. Finally, I landed on the flannel button-down, long shorts, and sock set, which I am pleased with at the moment. Let's check back in on their condition after these two months of wear ‘n tear.
Into the closet>> I've been wearing LAYERS by necessity rather than desire. In the summer, I like to be as free as possible; however, the rain has had other plans (despite my negotiations with Etsy wickens). Overall, I'm pretty well off since the intention of the trip revolves around water - most of my pieces lean towards getting wet.
Items I've worn the most thus far
Wildcard BLAZER - Vintage Armani, intentionally too large, purchased at a vintage store up in Joshua Tree just after my wedding for $28, similar here
Button-down men’s shirt » Brooks Brothers from the thrift I was telling
about, the perfect travel shirtBrandy Melville pants (thinking to upgrade to real silk but brandy makes travel so easy)
Vintage YSL scarf from Logan's grandma, similar here
Mainline bag, always nice when your purse can be a pillow
I left my jeans behind, and while I don't regret it, I'm looking in Berlin for something like these:
Maybe some sunglasses to replace a pair I lost - still not sure where I placed that missing paper bag - I think love island is getting to my head bc these are looking v cute
Brain rot or
? I’ll let the illustrious GKJ weigh in on summer shades.I'm also on the hunt for a hot yoga and/or pilates class in Berlin. Soon I’ll be getting my fix at Saunabad, Liquidrom, and VaBali.
Currently reading and researching»
Slovakian spa rail adventure (but I don’t know if I can do more rain at this point)
Is it weird that Time Out references Travel + Leisure? inspired by The Ranch Hudson Valley clickbait
The beauty and lifestyle partnerships are coming in FULL force:
Chan Luu pedicure suite with Jimmy Choo» dream event combo tbh even if I still need toe ring convincing I AM OPEN
Let’s see how the fundraising here affects what’s going on with the feeds & which brands enter the ‘sletter model
NEXT: WoW Zakopane & some Polish railroad travel
xoxo,
coco