Tas Firini Uzun - Turkish Pide Restaurant (Mannheim)

Hands down. This is the best Turkish restaurant, I've ever been to. They have the best pide and lamacun of all times. My boyfriend and me usually have a butter cheese pide and a large lamacun together for only about 10€.

The only downfall is that the restaurant just doesn't look too nice. But it's always crowded. So the owners probably don't really care if it looks appealing from the interior design aspect.

But let me tell you something... Most restaurant that look really stylish have a bad chef who can make tasteless stuff but makes it look really beautiful. This restaurant is exactly the opposite. It might not look too special but the food is amazing. The best thing is the stone oven. It is huge! Three men work altogether. Everything is soooo delicious. So if you're in Mannheim, go visit and see for yourself. The dishes are very affordable. Most dishes cost about 5€.

Tas Firini Uzun

G5, 12

68159 Mannheim

 

Outfit #23 Xmas party

Last Friday was my company's Xmas party. It's a chic event where almost everybody is dressed up. I like to dress up but I try not to go over the top as well. I think I managed that quite ok. I got many compliments on the party without showing too much skin.
The black dress is from H&M. It is quite comfy, a little loose to allow for a great dinner. The leopard peeptoes are from a cheap Turkish store in Mannheim. I don't quite remember what the name of the store was but they were only 15€ and they are the most beautiful and comfortable I could imagine. I have much pricier shoes that don't even come close. The jewelry is from the Dominican Republic << click >>.

My makeup is quite simple. There is not much to say. I should have taken the big camera anyway but I always forget... The lipstick is Mac's Russian Red. The perfect matte red. I absolutely adore the color and it lasts forever!
This is my hair. I bought one of these huge hair donuts from H&M. Maybe, I'll show you another tutorial how to do it. I love the clean and elegant look of hair buns. This thing is perfect. It just didn't stay up because I forgot to put bobby pins. My hair is just too sleek for any hairdos.

And last but not least... My new iPhone cover :) I love it! Thank you, honey...

Sorry for the bad image quality. The last thing I think about when getting ready is to take pictures with my DSLR.

Empties #2

I know, it's been awhile. I'm just not able to maintain a regular schedule like other people. But who cares. It's not like, I need to justify anything as it is my own blog anyway. I also want to write things down for myself to be able to remember.

So here's another empties blog post from me...

 

I'm a sucker for mango products. One of my favorite fruits in the world. I rarely buy them in Germany because they don't grow here. Thus any mango in store is picked before its time. But in Taiwan that's a different thing. When I'm in Taiwan during mango season, I need to eat one a day. Sometimes even more ;-)

1. Mango shower gel from Balea - Love the smell. I even had multiple backups. Now that it's winter, I'm glad, I'm done though. It's more a summer thing for me.
   
2. Mango shower gel from DuschDas. I'm not a fan. Balea is better.
   
3. Body lotion from Vandini with grapefruit scent. It was a present, one I didn't really like because I don't like scented body lotions. I only like things like Nivea or Dove.
   
4. Toner from Balea. Toners are difficult. This one is sticky and I hate stickiness on my skin...
   
5. Shimmery brown cream eye shadow pen "24h Perfect Stay Eye Shadow and Liner" from Astor in "Creamy Taupe". I liked the easy application and color but it broke. I don't know if it was just bad luck or whatever but I have enough other products and won't rebuy it.
   
6. Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter "050 Berry Smoothie". I loved the color and lip butters in general. Since you can't buy Revlon products in Germany, it might take awhile until I will be able to rebuy this.
   
7. "Feel Good Mineral Blush" from P2 in "020 sweet rose". I didn't like it because the color payoff is quite bad.
   
8. P2 matte eye shadow "050 rose charm". I love it. This and the taupe color are my favorite. If they ever discontinue, I will need to buy tons of backups. Fortunately, they last for a really long time!
   
9. Black eye liner pen from Catrice. This is a horrible product. First, it's not really black, somehow patchy. And at last, it transfers and smudges on my lid. Really not my thing...
   

[Travel Thursday #2] Berlin

As I mentioned earlier, I went to Berlin on a conference. It was my first time in Berlin. And although I needed to work, I fell in love with this city.

It wasn't love at first sight because my hotel was in a street which was more or less under construction. Thus it was a little dirty and smelt like rotten eggs.

But other than that the hotel was actually quite nice:

Tryp Hotel Berlin Central ( << click >> )

Chausseestr. 33

D-10115 Berlin

It doesn't look that special from the outside but there's actually a part of the Berlin Wall outside the hotel.

The inside wasn't so bad either. Nothing too special but everything's quite new and clean and it has air conditioning.

On the German National Day we went on a boat trip on the Spree. It was night, not too cold but it was awesome. We saw the Festival of Lights around the Bundestag and the museum's island. On my last day I went for a walk passing all these beautiful huge buildings. I think it will be a hell of a city, when the constructions are finished.

I also went shopping in Lafayette. That was actually quite impressive. Everything is so beautiful inside... AND I finally found a winter jacket. I've wanted to buy one for the longest time. I've hunted it for more than a year already.

There's so much more to Berlin which I haven't seen to due work but I will definitely come back another time to visit the museums and the Bundestag. I once met a politician at a lecture about energy savings who invited me but I can't quite remember in whose party he was. Funny thing though, it was another student's dad who I've known from college.

Anyway, it's worth a week's trip.

 

Life is what happens while you're making plans.

September was my vacation month. It was amazing. Who wouldn't love it? And it was truly relaxing... When I was back at the office, everyone told me so too. 

Since I'm back, I'm trying to catch up on work. This week-end is the first week-end without any plans since I'm back.

The first week-end I spent with my goddaughter and her baptism. How do you parents handle all that? I don't find it relaxing at all. It's fun, sure. That little girl is so cute and precious but I'm glad I don't take care of her every day... I guess I'm not ready to have babies yet...

Last week I went to Berlin to join a conference. Sunday I came back. Yes, even on the German national holiday I worked. Monday I went to France and Tuesday I came back. My parents came over spontaneously but I only saw them Sunday evening. Of course I was deadly tired from my trip and the next morning was short as I had to leave for work. 

Conferences are a funny thing... I've joined a couple in my scientific life but I never saw the other side. This was the first conference as a host. And it's even more exhausting than as a guest. You have to be the first in the morning and the last in the evening. Always being nice, making conversation, meeting new people, making them feel welcome. Even dinner is work. No matter how great the food is and how much you like your colleagues, it's still exhausting. 

I'm really glad I don't work in sales... It would drive me nuts. My home would be a mess, I wouldn't do any sports or have any friends. Finding balance is important. That's why this week-end it's just my boyfriend and me enjoying our free time together. 

[Travel Thursday] Hamburg, meine Perle

I have thought a little about blog routines. So far my blog style is more messy than anything else. But let me give this a try. In real life I'm very organized. Really...

This summer I went to Hamburg, one of my favorite German cities. A business training with pleasure leisure time... Some of the girls and me went out for an Alster boat tour. Gotta love the northern humor ;-) Some of my best friends live around Hamburg and they are the funniest people in the world. They could do a comedy show.

I haven't been there in ages... 5 years... Actually, that's not THAT long ago... I just feel like it was more.

The city is gorgeous and shopping is so much fun. It's like Venice or Geneva...

Here is the view from my hotel. There is a bar on the top level which wasn't that expensive.

My room was gorgeous too. What a great bed and bathroom... I like these American counters. There's so much space. I need something like that later in my future apartment/house.

I also went a little crazy on my shopping tour in the Adidas and Douglas store. Finally, I found Ardell lashes and NYX blushes. Uhh, and my very first high-end blush from Illamasqua named Tweak. I still haven't unpacked it because I still want to blog about it... It's probably so yesterday but I love this color...

 

Foggy outlook

I'm back since last week but I don't feel like I've arrived... Not that I have any jet lag. I'm actually surprised. It's probably really the best to start working the next day because transitions only mess with your system. I don't know what it is. Maybe it's the weather...

This is what it looks like when I get up and go to work. And it's going to look like this every day until spring starts. I'm not ready for fall yet! What a shame...

How can a place be so beautiful when the sun shines and so ugly when it doesn't?

Galletas de Ajo

This is one of my favorite salty snacks in the Dominican Republic: garlic bread chips. They are way better than German bread chips. Not as hard and also more delicious. Also this brand is better than others I've tried... It's where my boyfriend had a part-time job as a student.

 

Almost got a forbidden Souvenir

This is Taina, my boyfriend's mother's turtle pet. She is very old but still quick on her feet. Besides she loves to climb into bags and underneath the laundry.

If we weren't looking for her, I might have taken a forbidden souvenir in my hand luggage...

I can imagine how the police would have reacted...

"Oh you didn't notice the turtle in your bag? Yeah. Sure... She wanted to come by herself... Turtles climb into carry on bags all the time..."

I'm glad, I checked before we left... ;-)

 

Juan Dolio Beach

The best beach around Santo Domingo is Juan Dolio. It's even better than Boca Chica... The beach is cleaner and more quiet than Boca Chica. I even like it better than Punta Cana (Bavaro).

But see for yourself...

This is how you get to the beach, if you're in Santo Domingo. The bus stop is in La Duarte, close to the bus stop to Punta Cana:

Astrapu Bus Stop
Calle Jose Martí
10214 Santo Domingo

This is how the bus stop in Santo Domingo looks like. The last stop is San Pedro where also most of the people go. Therefore, it's important to tell the driver where you would like to go.

Go inside. This is how the ticket office looks like.

The bus is clean and has air-condition. It's also quite large and comfortable. I can highly recommend it.

Be sure to buy the ticket before you enter the bus. The ticket costs 110 Pesos, which are about 2€. Furthermore, tell the driver where you would like to go so he will stop and tell you. The trip lasts about 45-50 minutes depending on traffic. Sit on the right-hand side, if you want to enjoy the scenery. It is quite beautiful, as the route is along the coast.

This is where the bus stops. The bus to Santo Domingo stops on the other side of the road. Be careful when you cross the street! It's dangerous.

When you follow this street and turn left, there's the beach.

Enjoy your stay! There will also be an upcoming blog post about wooden figures which you can buy at the beach...

 

Exotic fruits

These are nispero and zapote, exotic fruits from the Dominican Republic.
From the outside they look a bit like kiwi but they taste completely different. Somehow like papaya but sweeter. They taste similar but zapote is much bigger, almost like a honey melon.
They also taste great as juice or batida (milk mix).

New In... Jewelry

50% on all pieces of the jewelry store "Mariale Accesorios" en el Conde of Santo Domingo. Who could possibly say no?

I don't wear these at work but when going out I love these big earrings...

 

Mr. Crab says hi

Electricity was back within 24 hours. So last night was bliss! :-)

Aren't they cute? I found these little guys at the beach of the Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort.

The latter walked between my feet when I had breakfast. Before I could take a picture, he tried to get away but I got him before he disappeared.

 

Blackout for over 12 hours

Yesterday we had a really bad thunderstorm. There were so many lightnings that I couldn't count to the thunder because I didn't know to which lightning it belonged. I haven't seen any thunderstorms like that in my life...

As much as I love thunderstorms, I do not like the blackout following the event. Damn, it's freaking hot and the fan wouldn't work...

At least the sun is shining again today but I hope electricity will be on again today... Did you know that the water circuit is connected to the electricity? It's good that my boyfriend's mom has a generator so some of the electric devices still work, such as the internet and the fridge. We also have several containers of water to be able to shower and brush our teeth. Until now I had no idea why we had so many containers in the bathroom...

 

Outdoor Gym

How cool is this outdoor gym with ocean view? It's located at the Malecon in Santo Domingo.

No air conditioning needed. There's wind. Unfortunately, there are no weights but it's still better than nothing...

Outfit #22 New In... Black Tops

Besides mint tops I also bought black airy tops. As I'm into mint recently, I paired them both with my mint pants.

The only downside of these airy tops is that I have to hand wash them.

 

 

Apartments in Taipei, Taiwan

Prices for apartments in Taipei, Taiwan are ridiculous.

The price of a new 150qm apartment in this building is 1.4 million EUR (56 million NTD).

The building has 14 floors. Of course it includes an elevator as well as a doorman. The price also includes 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 balconies, and 1 large living room including an open kitchen.

If you want the parking lot to go with this apartment, you've got to pay even 62000€ (5.6 million NTD) extra.

The price is especially ridiculous if you think about what a freshly graduated master earns: 500€ per month.

 

Skin Conditioner

This is a must-have beauty product for going to tropical countries or for hot summer days or nights. This is my second bottle. The first I bought in Japan, the second in Taiwan but I haven't seen anything like this in German drugstores... It kind of looks like a toner because it's clear but it's not. It nourishes the skin but it's very light which is perfect for summer, maybe not for 2014 but normally it would be great.

I refilled the liquid to a mini spray bottle of 30ml for light traveling which I got in Muji.

 

 

New In... Hello Kitty

I found this little 8GB USB stick at Tchibo for 12€. I'm sure I won't get it mixed up anymore and I'll take good care of this cute little baby USB.

I just can't imagine taking it to work meetings. Just think of all these serious men and then me with little hello kitty in my hand!

 

Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豐

Din Tai Fung is a Taiwanese franchise restaurant with high-quality food. They are especially famous for their mini dumplings (Xiao Long Bao 小籠包).

Do you see the people outside this restaurant? That's during lunch time and they all wait to be seated. Don't imagine how dinner time looks like...

I've been to one in Beijing with my cousin and his wife and this one is in Taiwan. But they are also located in Australia, USA, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and other cities in China. I can't wait for them to come to Europe.

It's also easy for foreigners because their menu has pictures and is written in several languages including English.

Anyway a must-eat is the dim sum dish Xiao Long Bao 小籠包

 

 

Empties #1

I love to watch Empties videos on YouTube. Using up a complete beauty product really shows if you like a product or if it totally doesn't work for you... So here are my first Empties.

1. S-Quito free: I've only used it for 6 days, spraying my arms and legs twice a day, and it's already empty. Besides, it claims to even work against tropical Mosquitos but I've already got 4 mosquito bites on my legs. So it doesn't even work properly. I definitely won't buy this again!
2. P2 bronzer #030 Bali heat: This bronzer is actually quite good. I like the color and that it shows up on my skin, even when I'm tanned. It's neither matte nor glittery. It has more of a sattin finish. I consider buying it again but I have a couple other bronzers at home. Right now, I use KIKO #103 which is matte but has a similar color.
3. Maybelline - illegal length mascara: It is waterproof and has fibers in it. It dried quickly and was clumpy. Besides, I didn't like the brush either. I won't rebuy it as I've found a better mascara, the Max Factor - masterpiece.
4. Essence - SOS spot killer: It worked but was too aggressive for my skin.
5. The Body Shop - Mango body scrub: Amazing. My holy grail body scrub. I love the scent, the efficacy and it actually nourishes the skin.
6. Maybelline - pure cover mineral concealer: I loved it but it was discontinued.
7. Balea - peeling gel: It's not bad but nothing special...
8. Florena: I used both day- and night creme. They were both not bad.
9. Clinique - All about eyes: It's a great eye cream. I even bought the full size "All about eyes rich". But I think the normal version is better.

 

Flowerception

I've got a couple new plants for my apartment. Although I'm not the big gardener I do enjoy my little green space.

I even got herbs which normally die but this time I bought a self-watering pot. I never actually knew herbs needed that much water.

Hopefully they will all still be alive when I get back. I put almost everything outside on the balcony to get some rain.

 

Outfit #21 New In... Mint Tops

I love airy colorful tops and blouses. It's simple but still elegant.

These two beauties I've found in el Conde in the Dominican Republic for less than 5€ each. Perfect for my vacation...