Magical Munich

Munich, not exactly a place I’ve been dying to visit. But this ignorant heel-wearing girl is fully prepared to eat her words (and some schnitzel).

It’s was late September when my boyfriend told me he had some work to carry out in Munich (I realise this makes him sound like some kind of drug dealer – not too far from the truth, as he works in pharmaceuticals). ‘Why don’t you come with me?’ he said, but  ‘nah’ was my immediate response. I had a mani booked and an appt with a bestie and some wine which I couldn’t miss. So off he went without me.

Fast forward two weeks to Oktoberfest time and Mr Styledit popped the question again. ‘I’m going back to Munich. Do you fancy coming?’ Hhhhhmmm I thought. What would I do when he’s on the office?! I got straight onto Google and starting looking up things to do in Munich.

Now the pictures looked cool, and I had heard Oktoberfest was fun, so I messaged my German friend @thesearchofhappiness for more info. She had been before and told me it’s a whole heap of fun, she also mentioned we’d be lucky to get a flight/hotel at such short notice. This weirdly made it seem 10x more desirable. You know, like when your sibling is playing with a toy as a kid so of course you want it too.

I booked my expensive ticket and thought ‘WHY THE HELL NOT?!?’. Turns out, this was one of the best decisions I made all year. Here’s some of my top finds…

 

1) KÄFER

Ahhhhh beautiful Munich, where do I start. On Day One I had a day-long date with the city. My boyfriend went straight to the office and I dropped my stuff off at the hotel and decided to walk into town. Personally, I think walking is best way to get to grips with a new city. I started on Prinzregentenstrasse near Prinzregentenplatz subway and made my way west into town. I had been told of a really pretty food shop named KÄFER near my hotel and it did not dissapoint.

 

It’s like walking back in time and has all the charm and splendour of Fortnum and Mason without a hint of the stuffiness (or maybe I just couldn’t detect it because of the language barrier). The higgledy-piggledy lay out just adds to the beauty and charm of the shop. The pastries are just delicious and it’s a good spot for your morning caffeine fix if you’re staying nearby.

2) ANGEL OF PEACE

I continued into town past the ‘Angel of Peace’ monument and fountains – well worth a look if you’re in Munich. As the Bronze Angel towers over you there is something very calming about the fountains right next to her. Take a book and relax on one of the steps or walls at the top. Its worth a mention that the road crossings are few and far between so be careful as you go (especially if you’re in heels).

As I mentioned Prinzregentenstrasse is a fantastic road to choose to walk into the city. It happens to have many beautiful buildings along the way, and I was blessed with some fine weather during my visit which just makes strolling all the more fun.

3) EISBACH WAVE

Towards the end of this road is the Eisbach Wave – a sort of fountain of continuous waves in which guys and girls seamlessly surf across with ease.  I honestly could have stood here for an hour – in fact I suggest taking a snack with you. The surfers are brave, talented and don’t seem to be put off by the hundreds of tourists assessing their skills. Wait till one falls and you here the wipeout-esque ‘ooooooooooooo’ coming from the spectators.

I pressed on as I wanted to find my dirndl for Oktoberfest. I had a tip off from @thesearchofhappiness that going to Oktoberfest without taking part and donning the traditional wear is seen as bad form to the locals. I’d also been advised C&A was a good shout for an affordable authentic one (funny,  I thought C&A had closed down in the 90’s but appaz it’s still going strong for our German cousins).

4) NEW TOWN HALL

C&A and most of the Dirndl shops are located in Marienplatz which is the main square in Munich. And what a breathtakingly beautiful square it is. Okay so it’s crowded and busy, but the first thing that strikes you is the insanely gorgeous Gothic-esque architecture of Munich New Town Hall. With sharp spikes and detailed carvings, it is just too pretty not to take your breath away.  It was built in the early 20th century but it feels and looks much older than its years.

I popped my jaw back in place continued about my quest for my traditional Bavarian attire. I’ll be honest, this is where I lucked out – C&A totally came up trumps. I headed upstairs to the first floor where every single dirndl and lederhosen was half price. Yep you read correctly: 50% off. I began to speed-browse for my size in the panicked fashion you do when you need something and it’s reduced. Sizes are a little crazy, but after three attempts I soon figured out a 36 is like a UK8 and a US4. Shame, because the bright red one only had a size 40 😦 boo hoo.

Now to the lederhosen stand. Probably the most stressful shopping experience I’ve ever had. A) because I couldn’t remember my boyfriends size in the UK and B) because it doesn’t actually make a blind bit of difference when I did find out the info as the German sizes are mental!!! But being the clothes-obsessed hawk I am, I managed to pull it out of the bag.

5) OKTOBERFEST

This Bavarian beer swigging festival runs from late September until early October. We’ve all heard of it, but unless you’ve been it’s pretty likely you won’t know what this German knees-up entails.

 

I for one had zero idea of what to expect. So I did what any millennial would do, and ‘trip-advisored’ it. It mentioned that tents get mega full and you are a special kind of lucky if you manage to find a seat in one.

Turns out, seating doesn’t actually matter one bit! The set up is like Winter Wonderland’s cousin on steroids with more beer. There you will find an abundance of rides, games and market stalls as well as traditional German food, beer and more beer.

We arrived in the evening and milled around. I started with a G&T, because you know, I’m set in my ways. We ordered a currywurst and bratwurst from questionable looking stalls (all part of the fun) to line our tummies.

We then headed to the wine tent. Yep, there’s a WINE TENT. It happens to be the busiest and most exclusive, but I was prepared to chance it given my unreasonable addiction to Reisling. And with no seat for most of the night on a cold october evening we had THE MOST INCREDIBLE TIME. As a Brit it goes totally against my culture but if there is one thing I can recommend you do it is TIP, TIP, TIP. It’s the only way to not be ignored. The staff run around endlessly carrying full litre vases filled with beer (usually at least 5 at a time!) so don’t expect them to stop and take your pesky order if you’re not nice to them.

The atmosphere is fun and infectious, as everyone is out to have a good time. Do expect to dance on the tables and basically just DON’T MISS IT. Also, order the cone-like dessert thing on your way out at the end of the night. It’s filled with Nutella and sprinkles of hazelnuts and is out of this world!! I’m contemplating booking my ticket back next year just so I can eat that dream again!

6) CHURCH OF ST PETER

October 3rd is a national holiday in Munich meaning a lot of shops are closed, but fear not, restaurants do not seem to be affected. The plus side for me was that I had a co-explorer. We got the subway into town to Isartor. I’d heard nice things about a restaurant so we had some lunch and then explored our way back to Marienplatz.

Just behind Marienplatz is a beautiful church called St Peter’s. It looks kind of cute from the outside, but the real beauty of this spot lies in the roof top view. This is a must see when in Munich. With panoramic views across the city and entry for €3 you really can’t go wrong!! I was actually a little surprised by how quiet it was (perhaps the holiday played a part in this). The stairs are challenging (I work out too ha ha) so perhaps it’s not one for the families/silver stair climbers.

The steps are also crazily arranged so maybe tick this one off before all the beers if you’re ‘festing too. But it truly is an absolute must and you will not regret the climb once you poke your head out at the top to see beautiful building tops and the dreamiest skyline.

TOP TIP: Time it with sunset if you can and let mother nature add some colour to the already breathtaking scene.

7) VIKTUALIENMARKT

After you’ve been blown away by the view in St Peters, walk down the adjacent hill and you will find a bustling food market that is open daily (except for bank holidays). The cute cookies that you see all over Munich are available in the bakeries here (at a fraction of the price to the ones on Oktoberfest. You’ll find traditional German meat and lots of interesting food.

8) THEATINE CHURCH

Along from Marienplatz is a series of beautiful arches that lead you to the beautiful bright and yellow Theatre Church.  There are a selection of incredibly pretty cafes and bars which you can sit and and enjoy the atmosphere.

The arches that lead to Marienplatz from the church contain gift shops and cute florists etc. They are worth popping into, and sell the kind of trinkets and souvenirs that you may want to buy (I bought a magnet for my fridge).

9) GARTNERPLATZ

I could not come to Munich without checking out the shops. My favourite area to shop in was Gartnerplatz. Just a short walk away from the Viktualienmarkt, it housed cute boutique stores and vintage clothing shops.

I found some incredible unique pieces, there are also some health food and coffee shops in this area which are worth a visit.

WHERE TO EAT

When I travel I generally like to stick to local cuisine as much as possible. If you are travelling during Oktoberfest I would recommend the food stalls in the park. They are not glamorous, but the food sure is tasty. If you want to have a more snazzy dining experience I strongly advise you check out the following…

SCHWARZREITER

Here we enjoyed a truly hearty meal, with lots of delicious meat and very friendly service.

The warm pretzels are a delicious way to start the meal, and the decor inside is special yet relaxing. The restaurant is part of a really swanky hotel on the most expensive street in the city (think the Rodeo Drive of Munich) but the meal we had was actually pretty good value for money.

TOP TIP: Have a drink in the hotel bar next door where you’ll be serenaded by a live pianist whilst you drink your pre-dinner cocktail.

RUSTICANA

Hands down the best ribs I’ve ever eaten – I’m still thinking about them now. This restaurant is small but oh so German. It’s extremely cosy and crowded, but we were lucky enough to get a seat at the countertop, which was a cute way to eat in an informal setting. We hadn’t booked ahead so didn’t have much space but it didn’t put me off.

The staff have come under criticism on Trip Advisor but I honestly can’t see why. It’s a nice atmosphere with delicious food and plenty of good wine. We had good service and would definitely go back!!!

TOP TIP: Order one portion of ribs to share as they are the size of a semi-detached house!!!

MARIANNEHOF

Filling and hearty, this is a fab place to stop off for some lunchtime fuel (especially if you’re walking around the city all day).

The schnitzel is really tasty and I was surprised by the quality of the fresh salad option (leaves can be pretty sparse in Bavaria). As we found in a lot of places in Munich, the local wine is both drinkable and really cheap – starting at around €3 a glass.

TOP TIP: Wash it all down with some of the yummiest Rose wine i’ve had in a while.

WHERE TO DRINK

ORY

The most ‘un-Munich-y’ spot, but you have to check it out anyway. This newly-opened cocktail bar in the Mandarin Oriental hotel just oozes decadence from the moment you walk in. After a complimentary welcome drink, I definitely recommend you order yourself an amazing Espresso Martini and just bask in the sexy vibes for the perfect post dinner aphrodisiac.

TOP TIP: Order a cocktail, they’re mega good at them!

XAVER

Back to a more German joint. This bar also serves extremely yummy looking food, but since we already had reservations elsewhere they were kind enough to let us cop a squat and sip some wine.

LE COPAIN

Situated near Marienplatz this is a coffee shop with a really decent blend. I’ll be honest, as Germany isn’t so famous for its coffee I wasn’t expecting much, but their brew was delicious and their pastries went down a treat too.

I went back a couple of times as the staff were so friendly to me when I was looking lost on my first day in Munich.

COFFEE FELLOWS

Ideal for people watching and listening to German conversations whilst sipping your cuppa Joe (NB I don’t speak a word of German). This coffee spot is very close to the Viktualienmarkt.

TOP TIP: Borrow one of their glossy German mags and catch up on the latest German fashion trends.

Note: I was going to call this 72 hours in Munich but due to an EASYJET cancellation I got an extra day to enjoy this wonderful city.

Trick or Treat Yourself

Halloween, it sure can be a ghoulish affair, and I’m just talking about the inevitable ugly wardrobe choices. It seems to me that there can be two ways to go with this, full on fancy dress (usually expensive) or using a bit of imagination with clothes that you have a vague chance of wearing again. I for one fall firmly into the second category. Okay, so you might not be winning any prizes for most creative outfit, but you’ll look sexy and hot, and that’s all that matters in my book.

Now, in case it’s not already clear, I’m not Halloween’s greatest fan. In fact I don’t see why we Brits have adopted this American annual day of spookiness. Maybe I’m bitter at the idea of buying shed-loads of sweets and not being able to eat them myself, only to have some little s**t knock on my door and demand I hand them over. Whatever the reason, there’s still a part of me that wants to join in (maybe the same part that likes wine).

Ultimately I do love a party, and I like seeing what everyone else is wearing, even if I personally don’t want to look like a naughty nurse for the night. And so this Cinderella will go to the crazy blood-soaked devil-horn-adorned ball.

But what the hell will she wear?? Well, this is where PRETTY LITTLE THING steps in. The clever people over at PLT HQ have created some really affordable Halloween-esque outfits which won’t break the bank and can be re-worn throughout the winter party months.

Here I’m linking my faves which will be sexy enough to wear after all the Halloween hysteria has calmed down, but vampy enough to dress up with some extra thick eyeliner on the night.

MESH DRESS

I absolutely love this dress. It’s daring, it’s full on and lets face it, the only time you can get away with walking around in a see-through get up is for Halloween.

I’m opting for a black layer underneath to hide my undercrackers but do as you please. Big Knicker style a la Kendall if you like, just make sure you add a massive faux fur coat to hide your modesty for the journey (especially as you just know you’ll end up in McDonald’s at the end of the night).

For make up I painted a ‘day of the dead’ style eyeliner situation; I feel like it suited the gothic vibes.

To dress it after Halloween, go for a little black dress underneath and brightly coloured heels. It will look eye-catching on a date night out, and you’ll just be glad you got to wear it again.

BUY IT HERE

BLACK FRILL DRESS

This dress is the ideal for those (like me) wanting to loosely partake in dressing up. I actually think this one will be my personal Halloween choice for the night. It’s fitted and chic, and you could easily wear it out to dinner (and I did by the way!!!). I mean let’s be honest, screw Halloween, this dress is hot!!

If you’re feeling the pressure maybe finish the look with a witches hat (available at all good Poundlands across the country).

BUY IT HERE

BALLGOWN WITH SLIT

Okay this may be one of the only times you get to rock a floor length gown on the tube without stares. The material is super slinky, and I adore it. The cost is minimal too – at a mere £20 this dress is a total snip!! Speaking of snips, the long slit is sexy as hell, maybe add some devil horns to fully look the Halloween part.

BUY IT HERE

LACEY CROP

Where do I start with this outfit? The lace on the crop keeps things gothic but this is sooooo wearable after Halloween too. I chucked it over a sheer shirt and jeans for date night with the Mr, but you could totally wear it with a pleather skirt for a girls night out.

BUY IT HERE

T-SHIRT DRESS

The most versatile (and cost effective) outfit of the bunch, you could use this shirt dress in an unlimited amount of ways.

This is such a re-wearable piece – check out how I styled this with OTK boots for a sexy vibe. All you need to do is add in your make up of choice (think fake blood or maybe cat ears and whiskers) and you have a perfect Halloween look.

Throw on a big statement coat or pair with oversized denim to keep this look fresh yet warm into November and beyond.

BUY IT HERE

So there we have it, my Halloween hot list.

Whatever you’re up to, have a good one guys. And remember, if you’re out for the night it means you’ll avoid the trick or treaters and keep all the sweets to yourself 🙂

Hannah

XOX

This blog post is a collaboration with Pretty Little thing but all views are my own (pinky promise) 😛

Don’t judge a book by its pictures

THAT AWKWARD MOMENT WHEN…

About a week ago someone lovely tagged me in one of those ‘5 things you don’t know about me’ posts on Instagram and between you and me, I bloody dread them. I am such a secretive, complex human being, sometimes I shake my head in disbelief at the elaborate, fun and fashionable double life I’ve tried to create on that stylish square grid we call Instagram.

All sorts of thoughts started to go through my head…

AM I GOOD ENOUGH?…

‘Should I mention I work in healthcare but I find it unbearably stressful’.
‘Maybe I’ll tell everyone I’ve had one of the most challenging years of my life, a year that could be written into a plot line of Eastenders’.
‘Perhaps I’ll casually slip in that I’m pretty sure I have anxiety but I won’t admit it to myself because that would be admitting I suffer with some form of mental health problem and therefore must be a raving nutter’ (even though statistically 1 in 4 of us are …. but I’m willing to bet it’s much higher).

‘Nah, I know, I’ll just say something about liking red wine and German Shepherds and hope to sound interesting enough to my followers’.

Interesting enough. What the hell is interesting enough anyway? How can we decide this on an electronic device without any real human interaction? It seems (and is statistically proven) that these judgemental squares are affecting people’s happiness and self worth (including mine at times) And I HATE that. I HATE that I could be part of the problem for someone undoubtedly amazing who is sat at home suffering with FOMO thinking that my Instagram is shot in real time and that I’m sipping cocktails all day without a care in the world.

BACK TO THE BEGINNING

For me it all started a couple years back when a good (real life) friend showed me Insta on their phone. ‘You should totally get Instagram’ they beamed, as we drank Sauvignon Blanc together in my flat. I looked at the glossy pictures on her screen and loved the creative aspect. The photos all looked so pretty and interesting. I signed up there and then, took a picture of my Eggs Benedict later that day and that was that.

WHAT IS INSTAGRAM?

But was that ‘that’? What exactly is Instagram and what effect is it having on us? This debate rears it’s argumentative head all too often. I’ve heard people talk about ‘keeping it real’. And I will be the first to hold my real life usually badly manicured hands up and say for me it just ISN’T real. How can it be? Insta is sharing snapshots of life, it can’t possibly show the in’s and out’s of someones relationships, goals, dreams, likes, dislikes, personality.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand that some people want to share snippets of their lives, and take comfort from other lovely humans they meet on the squares in doing so, but that just isn’t me. It’s not why I joined this space.

I joined to get holiday and shoe inspiration. I joined to share pretty things and pretty places that inspire me. I joined to escape my real life at times and drift off into a picture perfect beach with a beautiful sunset with palm trees gently swaying.

If times were tough in the real world, I could just plug into an ideal life and post a picture of a pretty dress I’d bought. For me, Insta was a kind of therapy. Looking at pictures of other people’s stylish additions to their wardrobe (sometimes even seeing inside their perfect wardrobes). Notice how you’ve never seen mine – it’s a bloody shambles.

Now, I hear you say, who cares? Fair point really, but I guess my point is Insta is whatever the hell you want it to be – and don’t let anyone make you feel bad for it.

PRETTY PICTURES

I personally am not comfortable airing my (extremely) ‘dirty laundry’ in public (sorry for the mental image ha!). Nor am I comfortable posting an unclear photo of an old sock in bad lighting which my Nan could take (no offence to my Nanna, she is an incredible woman and a total babe by the way). Does that mean I judge anyone else if they feel nice doing the exact opposite? Of course not. In fact, it makes me feel good seeing a shed load of variety and different ways in which we all like to express ourselves. Does that mean I should ‘keep it real’ and post more pictures in the community park outside my flat by the dog poo bins? Nah, that’s just not me babe 😂 and whilst we’re on the subject I probably won’t be mentioning when I have PMS, when I’ve had a shit show of a day, and when I feel insecure either as it just doesn’t fit in with my OOTD shots.

DON’T BE A WHINGEBAG

Now I realise I’m coming across like a bit of a Negative Nancy. And I really don’t want to sound that way at all. I’m lucky to have an incredible life filled with love and awesome people who make me happy, and I am grateful for that every single day. I am extremely lucky to have yummy food, a roof over my head and access to beautiful clothes which I’ve carefully accumulated over the years. I am also super grateful for (and still surprised by) all the lovely people who actually take an interest in what I wear. I am what you might call a lucky duck and I promise you I fully realise this.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I guess my takeaway message from this post for me and everyone who has an Instagram account/doesn’t want to beat themselves up in life is simply this: Instagram is NOT real life and it NEVER can be. The two are extremely but wonderfully different. The most perfect, well curated shots have usually taken a lot of effort, a well planned trip, mental anguish and incorporated an argument somewhere along the way 🤣😂.

And guys, if you should feel the weight of the squares resting heavy on your shoulders one day, I say unplug yourself. Put your phone on airplane mode. Get back to real life, get out in nature, stroke your pets, wear some ugly-assed clothes and hug your loved ones. But if you happen to catch me posting a picture in a new outfit with a beaming smile in a good light situation on a day when you’re feeling blue, please remember IT’S NOT REAL LIFE.

Peace out beauts,

Hannah
xox

P.s Special thanks to @lucysheridan (The Comparison Coach) for unknowingly inspiring this post and @thestylish_mrsmint for innocently tagging me and making me think about all things Insta.

 

AW18 Trends that can’t be missed

Okay, its officially that time again. The leaves are starting to lose their colour, the windows are closed at night, and the pumpkin spiced lattes are back on the menu at Starbucks. It’s only bloody Autumn isn’t it?

ASOS Paris T-Shirt 

So, how do we get ourselves excited about these colder times?? We jazz up our wardrobes with this seasons hottest items and drink cocktails in town silly!!

Now I know fashion works lightyears ahead, and these trends were cooked up by some clever folk behind closed doors whilst I was eating Coco Pops in my dressing gown last year. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t have a slice of the 90’s/Sex & The City-esque action present in the stores right now – and boy are there some goodies to be had.

In this blog post I’ve rounded up 5 of my favourite Autumn/Winter 2018 trends and picked out some irresistible key pieces, which will make you smile when you’re on your way to date night dressed like a total babe.

London’s Prettiest Coffee Shops

It is an understatement to say I like coffee – in fact, I can’t spend a day apart from it. I’d go as far to say we are pretty much in a committed relationship. I also love pretty picturesque places; hence the reason why on my days off I enjoy mooching around London looking for the snazziest places to have a cuppa joe.

Now, I was going to title this blog ‘Londons most instagrammable coffee shops’ or something equally obnoxious but then I had a word with myself and realised that people actually go to these places not just for the photo ops, but to actually re-fuel and have fun.

So here goes…

Cute as a Button

So, unless you’ve spent your spring/summer hiding under a rock (which you could be forgiven for, with these current inferno temperatures) you will have noticed that big buttons are all the rage at the moment.

It started with a couple of brilliant designers using buttons as statements rather than mere functioning fastenings. Since then, the big button trend has spread like wildfire and these circular accents have been popping up left, right and centre (literally).

That’s why I’m a little bit obsessed with RIVER ISLAND’S new collection. Take this beautiful bardot dress  as a prime example.

Paris is always a good idea

I’m always up for a cheeky travel adventure. So when my Insta (and now real life) friend asked if I fancied a break in Paris I said ‘Oui Oui Madame’ and ran to my computer to look at Eurostar deals.

Kimono Love

Now you may have seen in my recent post How to Style: Daisy Dukes that I’m a big fan of a sheer cover up, and this week I’m loving Kimonos. Originally from Japan, these beautiful patterned pieces definitely don’t look out of place on the streets of London. 

Go bold or go home

Living in a vibrant city like London, I’m not afraid of a bold summer print or two. Palms, Polkas, Stripes, you name it… they really spice up a cute summer outfit and add some extra colours into some otherwise plain looks. And I have to say, I’m loving some of the pieces in the high street at the moment. WAREHOUSE* in particular has been nailing the print sitch, especially with their culotte jumpsuit range. The prints are so fabulous and very much necessary for some serious summer vibes.

In this post I’m gonna talk you through some of my must have summer prints.

POLKA DOTS

SoCal and Vegas

When my instaboyfriend first told me that Wales were playing Mexico in a football (soccer) match I smiled and kept reading my In Style mag. When he added the vital point that said match was going to be played in California I leaned in a little closer 😉

Having been to California a number of times over the past few years its fair to say I’m a big/the biggest fan.

The beaches, the hiking, the sun, the huge open spaces… I could bore you guys to tears with the things I adore about that sweet old Golden State.

I’m going to make a list of my all time favourite California road trip stop offs very soon, but for now I’m gonna fill you in on my recent trip to SoCal and Vegas.