Destination Spotlight: Munich, Germany

Did you know that today marks 5 months until Christmas?  In honor of those who have been counting down the days to Christmas 2015 since December 26th, 2014 (you know who you are), as well as a friend's upcoming trip to Germany, this Destination Spotlight is dedicated to one of my top 3 favorite cities in Europe that truly shines during the Christmas season: Munchen, or, in English, Munich!  I was lucky to visit Munich twice, each time during the Christmas season when the city's Christkindlmarkt (Christmas Market) was taking place; the smell of fresh lebkuchen (gingerbread) paired with gluhwein (warm mulled wine), the sight of children (and me) ice skating in the seasonal rinks and everyone shopping for handmade decorations and toys.....these are just some of the reasons why I love visiting Munich at this time of the year, and what I would like to share with you!

One fun and unique yet lesser known Christmas celebration in Munich is the Tollwood Festival.  Side note/fun fact: Tollwood is held in the same location as Oktoberfest!  I visited the Tollwood Festival at night, so it was pretty to see the bright holiday lights contrasted with the white snow.  Just as with the Marienplatz location, this Christmas market was filled with people mixing and mingling; however, Tollwood has an international influence and features both local cuisine and regional handicrafts as well as those from other countries.  This is one example of how Munich really has become a city that focuses on the future while retaining its heritage.

After you've had your fill of holiday sweets and treats, take an excursion to Nymphenburg Palace which is located on the outskirts of the city and was the main summer residence of Bavaria's rulers.  The palace's grounds are quite extensive, and a walk around them is a beautiful way to feel a little less guilty about indulging in Deutschland's delicacies.  While on your walk, don't forget to look for Christmas trees located on the various staircase landings!



Munich's Marienplatz plays host to the city's largest Christkindlmarkt that is located in front of the Town Hall.  It's a festive scene, and I enjoyed seeing both locals and visitors come together to drink gluhwein around makeshift tables surrounded by traditional decor.  There isn't an air of commercialism like with our Christmas in the States; it's more about camaraderie and celebrating the season in an authentic and delicious way!



Camaraderie and delicious are also words that describe the scene at Munich's famed Hofbrauhaus, which serves a Bavarian feast combined with a side of holiday decor in the restaurant's blue and gold colors; you'll find patrons sitting at long tables and enjoying their beer underneath festively decorated wreaths.  Prost to the (upcoming) holidays!

CHANEL for the People

CHANEL for the People: if I ever run for political office, this is going to be my campaign platform!  For my fellow European fashion lovers, is there anything better than seeing and holding your dream closet items up close and personal in a store?  You escape reality for a moment....until you look at the accompanying price tag and enter sticker shock!  For now, as I'm still somewhat patiently waiting to own a timeless Chanel tweed jacket, I'm happy to share with you, especially my readers in the Atlanta area, how you can obtain real Chanel and other European designer merchandise at counterfeit prices: by shopping at The Drake Closet in either Alpharetta or Roswell!  While this article focuses on The Drake Closet, since I volunteer there, people living in other locales can take advantage of their local thrift stores to hopefully score similar fashionable finds.  Fresh on The Drake Closet's stylish heels of its annual fashion show, here are a few European finds that will leave you looking good and your wallet (and conscience) feeling happy, as all proceeds from The Drake Closet benefit The Drake House!  Note: jet lag and an expensive plane ticket are not included in the price of these select European fashions.

Speaking of heels, I love shoes; one of my greatest thrills is seeing the look on someone's face when looking at my shoe collection for the first time!  Yes, I have no life, but for now, let's focus on these real Chanel flats that I found while volunteering at The Drake Closet's recent fashion show; they're size 10 perfection wrapped in supple leather and decked out in Chanel's signature black and beige colors.  As those standing within 10 feet of me can attest to, I could not stop "talking," i.e. happily screeching, about these shoes and the fact that they were selling for a small percentage of what the regular retail would have been!   C'est fantastique!

More of an Italian shoe lover?  Well, then let's talk about Italy's "3 P's" of shoes: Pucci, Pliner, and Prada!  Drumroll, please.....first up, place your peeps on these Pucci's; their unique metallic finish and blend of four colors is just as dolce as a blend of three gelato flavors, except these quality Firenze shoes will last much longer!

Legend has it that the famous Donald J. Pliner shoes are made in the hills of Italy, just like another Italian specialty....wine!  It's moments like these that I couldn't be more proud of my Italian heritage!  Another fact that brings me joy?  Fellow shoe lovers who love Italian quality like me won't have to pay retail for these bellissima bronze beauties, leaving more money for vino!  This is a fine example of European Fashion Economics 101.


The other prominent "P" in Italian fashion?  Prada!  You'll want "more, more" of these Miu Miu's, which is Prada's less expensive and more youthful fashion line.  These shoes remind me of Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli's song title, "Mistero dell'Amore," i.e. "the mystery of love."  I can't explain why I love these shoes, nor was I expecting to find them; they just appeared on The Drake Closet's shelf one day, and now I can't stop thinking about them.

It's time to move on, though, because what goes great with stylish European shoes?  No, not wearing them while stepping out of a Lamborghini....an equally stylish European dress, like this Emanuel Ungaro!  French women are known for having that certain je ne sais quoi about them; they always effortlessly look polished and chic.  You can create that same image on this side of the Atlantic Ocean by wearing this simple yet elegant shift dress at a price point that will leave some fromage in your bank account!  As Coco Chanel once said, "Elegance does not exist in putting on a new dress."  "Elegance is refusal" (to pay retail for European fashion)!



Keep in mind that merchandise availability at The Drake Closet changes daily, but that just gives you another excuse to be a frequent shopper there or at your local consignment/thrift store; you never know what fashion treasure you'll find!  To learn more about The Drake Closet and The Drake House, please visit www.thedrakehouse.org, and don't forget to "like" The Drake Closet on Facebook to learn about promotions and see featured outfits that are for sale!  Happy shopping! (is there another kind?)