Standing in the bathroom for an hour, carefully laying out my make-up collection, prepping my skin diligently, and guiding myself step-by-step through a make-up routine I picked up from Vogue the day before — that’s how I love to start my day. The problem? I also like to stay in bed for an extra hour — admittedly, the latter happens much more often. And since I have my Blush & Glow Duo Stick from Kess, I know that even if I let my alarm clock snooze one too many times, I don’t have to start my day stressed out, because I only need as much time to apply it as my Bialetti needs to make my coffee. The stick consists of two different shades that you can choose yourself. Mine consists of the soft Coral and the darker Tan Blush, which I use not only to define my contours but also to subtly coordinate my eyelids and cheeks and create highlights. You can layer it for a stronger make-up look or simply apply it to your freshly moisturized skin. Because this wonderful stick has saved me so much stress, I had to get more products from Kess: each one can be applied without much effort, is super intuitive and fits inside even my tiniest handbag. And, by the way, they also have impressive values: they are all 100% vegan and cruelty-free.
And now for the exciting news: in addition to the online store, Kess is also currently moving around the real world. Right now they’re located in the middle of Potsdamer Straße next to Andreas Murkudis and Fiona Bennett. The physical pop-up allows you to try out products and shades that are otherwise only available online and get advice from beauty experts. The pop-up is running until 20.04.2024. And we have to mention the beautiful interior of the store which is designed beautifully minimal, as you would expect from Kess. If you’re looking for the perfect opportunity to visit the store, on 02.03. Kess is hosting an exclusive pre-launch of a new product and you can be one of the first to try it out with some hot matcha and selected goodies! But even if you can’t make it to the event — before you put the Duo Stick in your digital shopping cart and aren’t sure which is the perfect color choice for you, or can’t decide which lip oil suits you best — why not come along and take the opportunity to match your new beauty essentials perfectly to your skin? Because once you’ve found the right one, it will be hard to part with it – I know what I’m talking about!
Text: Robyn Steffen / Photos: Christian Hasselbusch, Claudia Professione
Kess, Potsdamer Str.83, 10785 Berlin–Tiergarten; map
Pop-up store until 20.04.2024 Tue–Sat 11–18h
@kessberlin
Slow, conscious, connected living. While it may sound simple, I often find it challenging to let go and make room for downtime. If you resonate with this struggle, a week at Villa Pravernara could be just what you need. Discovered by Sheila, along with her parents Be and Andreas, and her partner Yona, in northern Italy during the summer of 2022, the villa offered a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of city life in Berlin. Sheila recognized its potential to provide an escape, not only for herself but for others as well. Dating back to the 1600s, Villa Pravernara sits halfway up a hill, overlooking the valley south of the small town of Valenza, an hour from Milan and Turin. Despite being unfamiliar territory for the family, they managed to restore the villa while preserving its timeless charm.
Starting August 2024, week-long yoga and meditation retreats will be available at Villa Pravernara, catering to various levels, languages, and budgets. Skilled instructors will be invited to lead sessions in Ashtanga, Jivamukti, Vinyasa, Yin Yoga, and Somatic Movement — allowing guests to choose the practice that resonates most with them. Additionally, the villa provides ample space and freedom for artist retreats — welcoming artists, music producers, authors, and anyone seeking a haven to focus on their creative processes within the 1400-square-meter grounds. With two large terraces, multiple living rooms, and a professional kitchen, guests have plenty of room for relaxation and downtime. Yona Whale ensures that guests are well-fed with full catering services, offering vegetarian and vegan dishes prepared with fresh, regional and seasonal ingredients. Start your day with yoga in the former orangery, explore the serene surroundings during the afternoon, and wind down with warm summer evenings on the terrace. Villa Pravernara serves as a gentle reminder of the beauty of taking time for oneself.
Text: Robyn Steffen / Photos: Hannes Maria Meier & Eva Tuerbl
Villa Pravernara, Strada Pratovernara, 15048 Italien–Valenza, Alessandria; map
Information about the next yoga retreats can be found here.
@villa_pravernara
This coffee brand hardly needs an introduction, but for those of you who are new to Berlin, introducing: The Barn. Founded in 2010 by Ralf Rueller, the coffee company has been one of the most successful on the Berlin scene from the very beginning and has played a key role in ensuring specialty coffee has been on everyone’s lips for many years (in the truest sense of the word). The Barn has certainly helped shape my taste for coffee. Their focus is on the typical light roast from Probat’s custom-made drum roaster and enjoying coffee in single-origin form. With what is now their eleventh café in Berlin, the team has revived a meeting point in a vibrant neighborhood, next to the gourmet restaurant Nobelhart & Schmutzig. Located at the southern end of Friedrichstrasse, The Barn adds energy to the corner. Recently, there have been many new developments in the triangle between Checkpoint Charlie, Mehringplatz, and the Jewish Museum — from Michelin-starred restaurants to brunch spots — so it’s all the better that The Barn is now also doing its bit to make this area more attractive.
At Checkpoint Charlie, the well-known coffee specialties are prepared on 160 square meters — as always at The Barn to the point. This means that coffee is put into the cup exactly according to the recipe. The result tastes exactly like The Barn! There are also sweet classics such as chocolate almond cake and savory snacks such as toasted panini for those after a quick lunch. But of course, that’s just the practical and tasty part for us. The best thing about The Barn is that with every espresso, flat white or hand-brewed coffee, you make the coffee supply chain a little more sustainable and fair. After all, prices paid on the world market for raw materials and good growing conditions are unfortunately still not standard. The Barn has set itself the goal of remunerating farmers highly for high quality, and that means not only covering their costs but also enabling investment in the farm and the community. They also help to increase knowledge of cultivation methods and ensure the promotion of specific measures — such as wastewater filtration at Ivan dos Santos in the Brazil growing region. Here’s to a cappuccino.
And if you want to celebrate the new location together, then come along on 15.02.2024 from 17–21h. There’ll be cocktails from the Freimeister Kollektiv, DJs, and of course, coffee waiting for you!
Text: Maria Mayer / Fotos: The Barn
The Barn, Friedrichstr.215, 10969 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
Mon–Fri 8–18h, Sat & Sun 10–18h. Opening 15.02.2024 from 17–21h
@thebarnberlin
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and this year Veyia is here to help you declare your love (the sustainable way), with a gift that will bring joy for years to come. In a world where trends change at a dizzying pace, the Berlin label embarked on a mission in November 2023 to craft jewelry that looks beautiful while keeping the environment in mind. The transparent creative process involves the initial designs sketched up in their Berlin studio and crafted into handmade gold and silver pieces. These exquisite pieces are made from recycled 18k gold vermeil and sterling silver, responsibly sourced from certified companies. The organic, flowing shapes of the jewelry allow for effortless and versatile layering, becoming life-long wardrobe staples. Their sustainability extends to their packaging as well: jewelry boxes are crafted from cardboard and paper replacing conventional foam and velvet; bags are made from organic cotton and ribbons from Tencel—a material sourced from sustainable European forestry. If you want to explore their jewelry collection and have the chance to try on pieces before making your decision, mark your calendar for February 24th when Veyia will be showcasing their collection alongside other brands for a week-long exhibition. Whether it’s earrings, bracelets, rings or necklaces, let this Valentine’s Day be an occasion to give love sustainability — whether to yourself or a loved one.
Text: Alison Musch / Photos: Sebastian Hilgetag
Veyia
With the code “CC10” there’s a 10 percent discount on the entire collection until 14.02.2024.
Pop-up at Sepideh Ahadi, Kollwitzstr. 52, 10405 Prenzlauer Berg–Berlin; map
24.–29.02.2024 10–18h
@veyia.berlin
In this day and age — when interior design is about more than simple functionality — choosing the perfect wallpaper can transform your space from okay to amazing. That’s where MS Tapete in Prenzlauer Berg can help. They allow you to push beyond conventional boundaries of what a home is supposed to look like and add a contemporary spin that reflects your style with their wallpaper art. In artist Miriam Schwedt’s workshops, wall art is created. Art that waltzes right past mainstream trends (we’re looking at you, floral patterns) and opts for extravagant yet well-balanced designs. Miriam draws inspiration from everyday objects, textiles and nature, combining them into larger-than-life designs. The wallpaper is created using a high-resolution scanning process for high-quality prints. And let’s not overlook MS Tapete’s sustainability efforts. Leftover wallpaper and misprints are turned into greeting cards, notebooks and storage boxes to minimize waste (available at the showroom). All of Miriam’s designs are the same price. For €149 per square meter, you can purchase custom-made fine art wallpaper for your home. You can view her designs online but to truly understand their impact, we recommend visiting the showroom where you can also get advice from Miriam herself. Whether you’re looking to make a statement in your home or want to expand your repertoire as an interior designer, you won’t be disappointed.
Text: Alison Musch / Photos: Miriam Schwedt
MS Tapete, Prenzlauer Allee 30, 10405 Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg; map
Tue+Thu 11–16h, Fri–Sat 11–18h, and by appointment.
@ms_tapete