Places & Spaces Whilst Away

a weekend in berlin

May 21, 2012

As most of you know, i visited berlin to attend the very first the hive blogging conference. No doubt there’s already 10’s of wonderful posts about the event for you to read online so i will instead recount some of my impressions of the weekend and introduce you to some of the wonderful bloggers i met.

First up, if you want a really comfortable, stylish and central hotel, look no further than to the exquisite and reasonably priced hotel amano in mitte. We stayed in two of their wonderful apartments and the roof terrace is to die for, helped by the weather being glorious and hitting 29 degrees by sunday. After a long day of sightseeing, shopping or attending a conference, this is the way to relax before dinner.

For glorious food, dudu is a must. Go for sashimi, maki rolls or the most popular crunchy dudu roll – an incredible combination of yellowfin tuna, avocado, cucumber and sesame covered crispy tempura, all accompanied by guacamole and salsa. The other favourite is their beef with lamb salad and their sushi rolls. We were lucky to sit outside on the patio and have dinner with the wonderful Toni and Thea from sister mag, clara from tastesheriff, susanne from lieschen heiratet and ricarda from 23qmstil.

The weekend was dominated by the blogging conference and i was delighted to hear some of the talks and meet these wonderful ladies. Oh, yes the boys from freunde von freunde did not disappoint.

See their magazines here

Look at jeanette’s magazines here.

Get the freunde von freunde book here.

The other talks that impressed me were growing your readership by oum and blog etiquette and how to deal with negative feedback by the lovely anne from prêt à voyager.

Another highlight for me was meeting the gorgeous sibylle from fun.kyti.me

and the talented anne from anne’s kitchen.

Now i’m back in cold and greyish london. Let’s hope for a sunny week. What were you up to on the weekend?

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52 Comments

  • Reply sibylle May 21, 2012 at 1:49 pm

    ohhhhh, nice! thanks so much Tina!!

    • Reply tina May 21, 2012 at 9:05 pm

      I’m already missing your smiley face and your neon colours!!

  • Reply clara May 21, 2012 at 2:56 pm

    Tina..
    it was soo great meeting all of you!!
    Really looking forward to see you again!!
    Hugs from sunny Hamburg
    alles Liebe
    Clara

    • Reply tina May 21, 2012 at 9:06 pm

      Hey, still thinking about our hugs. Great to meet you. Sunny Hamburg? Pssst. Apparently meant to be sunny here in London this week. Fingers crossed. Bis bald. x

      • Reply clara May 28, 2012 at 9:44 am

        It’s still sunny… Thinking of having a Radtour today!!!

  • Reply Toni // sisterMAG May 21, 2012 at 4:09 pm

    Dear Tina,
    It was such a great weekend and meeting you finally in person was definitely a highlight!
    Hope to see you again very soon, Toni

    • Reply tina May 21, 2012 at 9:07 pm

      Highlight. Those legs you and your sister had. When God dished out beautiful legs, you and Thea must have been in the front line…
      let’s arrange that dinner xx

  • Reply annie May 21, 2012 at 4:24 pm

    can’t believe the weather you had, hope it’s headed this way….!

    glad the conference was good, I’m not familiar with any of these blogs except so thanks for the intro. looking forward to hearing more about it.

    we were in your neck of the woods for a weekend away in N1.

    • Reply tina May 21, 2012 at 9:08 pm

      Gosh, Annie, couldn’t believe it myself. Proper sun on my skin!!!

      Hope the travelling fro Tufnell Park to N1 went smoothly.

  • Reply Anya Adores May 21, 2012 at 4:30 pm

    Hi Tina,

    SO wonderful meeting you in Berlin. What a FAB time – I laughed so much, met such awesome people – you included.
    Take care and look forward to catching up next time I’m in London.
    Axx

    • Reply tina May 21, 2012 at 9:09 pm

      Say hi to Copenhagen. And keep smiling:) Glad you got home ok. See you in London? x

  • Reply Sam Lennie (Interiorsam) May 21, 2012 at 5:24 pm

    Wow, you met some lovely people with amazing blogs and magazines. I’ve bookmarked them all. That roof terrace looks comfy and cool too, great with a glass of blush. Look at those people with Summer clothing on, did you catch any of those rays Tina ? x

    • Reply tina May 21, 2012 at 9:10 pm

      Sam, they are all seriously talented and rather lovely:)

      Roof terrace was AMAZING!!! Seriously, when in Berlin, go and visit!

      We were swatting in the conference, not sunbathing… but still grabbed a moment here and there. x

  • Reply Sophie May 21, 2012 at 5:36 pm

    Wonderful round-up Tina! You got some great shots of the presentations! Your post has made my train journey much more enjoyable today. I’m looking forward to getting in & looking over my photos & writing my own review 🙂 xx

    • Reply tina May 21, 2012 at 9:11 pm

      I actually found it quite difficult to listen and concentrate on the photography… AND it was hot!
      Aww, sweetie. Was thinking of you today on that train early in the morning and that boring training day.

      Can’t wait for your review. xx

  • Reply Lauren May 21, 2012 at 6:35 pm

    Wow! Lovely weekend, Tina! It was great fun following you on twitter and instagram and knowing you were having a good time. I simply love wonderful luxurious hotels, and you made your stay sound so divine. Sounds like you learned a lot and got quite recharged. I’m so happy for you. xo

    • Reply tina May 21, 2012 at 9:13 pm

      Yep, we had a rather glorious time. Berlin, great blogging conference and HOT weather. Fantastic combo. I am better when my holidays are filled with inspirations as well as hanging out and shopping. I needed that break badly….

  • Reply Susanne May 21, 2012 at 8:32 pm

    It was so wonderful meeting all of you at our little pre-dinner! What a great weekend – best of all: all those lovely bloggers! Liebe Grüße aus Hamburg, Susanne

    • Reply tina May 21, 2012 at 9:14 pm

      I know. That dinner was pretty special, being able to sit on the patio, laugh and get to know each other…

      Hoffe Du hattest Spaß übers Wochenende. Bis bald. x

  • Reply Deepa May 21, 2012 at 8:53 pm

    Hi Tina! It was lovely to meet you at The Hive this weekend! See you around the blogosphere/Twitterverse! xD

    • Reply tina May 21, 2012 at 9:15 pm

      Hi Deepa. It was fun meeting you in person after seeing you on the BYW forum. Gald you got back all right.

      See you around.:)

  • Reply Theresa May 21, 2012 at 10:04 pm

    So happy to hear you had a wonderful time at the conference in Berlin. It’s sounds energizing and inspiring. Your post is the first one I’m reading about the conference so thanks for covering it and all the wonderful people you met. Off to check out some new blogs!
    PS~That hotel…That rooftop terrace! I’m just going to look at your photos and daydream a bit. Don’t mind me…;)

    • Reply tina May 21, 2012 at 10:10 pm

      Hey. Then you have Alt Summit. Design mum was there and we chatted a little while ordering her a cab. She’s so nice and down to earth. Incredible!!!

      Daydreaming is always good:)

  • Reply Holly May 21, 2012 at 10:06 pm

    Yay! Thanks for sharing Tina. I like all these glimpses of Hive I’m getting. Overall a success it seems. Will have to attend next year. Having my aunt and uncle over was pretty great though. I really enjoyed having them close by for a few days. We visited lots and took lots of pictures. Weather was excellent here too.

    Happy monday 🙂

    Xx.

    • Reply tina May 21, 2012 at 10:11 pm

      Yes, attend next year. You’ll enjoy it.

      Glad your aunt and uncle’s stay went well. x

  • Reply Igor May 21, 2012 at 10:46 pm

    What a cool round-up, Tina!!! At least this eases a bit the pain of not having been there!! Thank you & hope to meet you soon!

    • Reply tina May 22, 2012 at 10:15 am

      We asked you straight away to join, remember? I suppose Lake Garda is a good substitute… I love it there:)

      Meeting up is long overdue Mons Igor!! Happy to meet Gerard soon…

  • Reply Toni May 22, 2012 at 8:18 am

    What a great weekend! Your photos capture the atmosphere brilliantly – such a cool conference.

    • Reply tina May 22, 2012 at 10:15 am

      Thanks. A cool conference indeed!!

  • Reply ursula (room to bloom) May 22, 2012 at 9:47 am

    And that’s how it was! Some sunshine must have slipped inside our bags on teh way back and got out when we landed! Thanks for the write-up and links Tina!

    • Reply tina May 22, 2012 at 10:16 am

      Apparently it will be warm here this week. Fingers crossed.

  • Reply ashley // chasing heartbeats May 22, 2012 at 10:04 am

    mmmm Dudu is SO good! Glad you enjoyed your time in my adopted home and SO happy the sun came out to play while everyone was here! We didn’t get the chance to chat, but I loved all of your questions- you really got some good discussions started 🙂 and happy to have now found your blog!

    • Reply tina May 22, 2012 at 10:19 am

      I ride a Vespa too. Usually I rent a Vespa when in Berlin but as we were in a group we hired bicycles.
      We were so lucky with the weather. Last time I was in Berlin in May it rained!!

      Thank you. I tried to get an interactive discussion going. Also, it’s nicer for the speakers:)

      Love your blog and wish we could have all met up for a pre-Hive dinner. Lokal sounds brilliant. Will explore next time.
      Thank you for your lovely comment.

  • Reply Chi@106 May 22, 2012 at 10:11 am

    What fun we had, Tina! And it was mainly down to your painstaking planning and sterling recommendations.

    I haven’t laughed so hard in a long, long time. 😀

    It was such a good idea to meet the German BYW students, Toni and Thea in such a lovely and informal setting before the big day. It really helped ease me into networking mode.

    Shall we make weekends in Europe an annual affair? Where to next? South of France? 😉

    • Reply tina May 22, 2012 at 10:21 am

      Glad you were eased into networking mode.

      Am actually off to the South of France but without you lot and having to play ‘Mutti’. Can’t wait for more sun and beach thrown in…:)

  • Reply Heather @ Canal Notes May 22, 2012 at 10:26 am

    Tina – it looks like a great trip! I wish I could have joined you ladies! Next time hopefully! Hx

    • Reply tina May 22, 2012 at 10:32 am

      I’m sure some of us will go to Hive 13… join us then. Hope you’re well x

  • Reply Nicola May 22, 2012 at 3:16 pm

    Wow Tina, thanks for the post on Berlin. Looking forward to looking at all those websites, great to hear you all had such a good time, n xx

    • Reply tina May 22, 2012 at 6:33 pm

      Hi. Yes, maybe you can join next year. See you in BYW2.0 xx

  • Reply parisbreakfast May 22, 2012 at 5:35 pm

    WOW I hope next year I can attend!!
    Looks great
    Thanks cg

    • Reply tina May 22, 2012 at 6:33 pm

      That would be cool… so many of us… Berlin is fantastic with or without a conference:)

  • Reply Kelly May 22, 2012 at 6:13 pm

    Sounds like a great weekend and you were so lucky with the weather! Wish I could have gone too, but I had a great time in Barcelona with my friend so can’t complain too much!

    I’ll definately check out Hotel Amano if I ever get to Berlin, the roof terrace looks amazing.

    Gorgeous photos as usual, love the one of the colourful Sibylle and thanks for the links to all the fabulous blogs x

    • Reply tina May 22, 2012 at 6:35 pm

      I know. Followed you on Instagram. Had no idea you were in Barcelona. Well, not to shabby right? Better than being in rainy London over the weekend.

      Yes, check out Amano but you can also go to the roof as a non-guest.
      Had to photograph Sibylle in all her neon glory. She’s got the personality to match it. x

  • Reply Jennifer May 23, 2012 at 5:13 am

    Tina! It looks like you had a fabulous time! I so wish I could attend a blogging conference like that. Just being around all that wonderful creative energy must be so invigorating and inspiring! Great photos – thank you for sharing some of the great people you met there.

    • Reply tina May 23, 2012 at 10:26 am

      Totally. It was exactly that. Meeting so many bloggers who fill the world with creativity is very infectious. The energy is buzzing. Maybe you can go to Alt Summit or visit one of the European ones…. it would be great to meet you one day:)

  • Reply Oum May 23, 2012 at 1:45 pm

    Hello Tina, thank you again for your nice words after the presentation ! It certainly helped a lot to have participants like you quizz me and ask questions ! And I agree, the energy was overwhelming !

    Oum

    • Reply tina May 23, 2012 at 1:49 pm

      Bonjour, my pleasure. I really enjoyed your presentation. Your enthusiasm and passion was so evident. Thank you for sharing it with us.
      Here’s to next year…

  • Reply caroline @trend-daily May 24, 2012 at 1:45 pm

    Tina Berlin-Mutti; Spargel-Mutti
    !!
    What a fabulous weekend-thanks a MILLION for looking after us-the Amano was perfect, bicycles fantastic-you did a great job and we all appreciate it so much. I think I’m the last to thank you-I’m sorry-how crap. Did I attend the life/work balance talk-dur-no-why, I ask myself??!! kids/earning money/blogging-urrgghh-give me a few days!! xx

    • Reply tina May 24, 2012 at 5:55 pm

      Pleasure dear…Berlin Mutti & Spargel Mutti… at least you brought back the Knödels.

      Take a chill pill and just enjoy the sun. A rarety so far this side of spring. xx

  • Reply Micki May 24, 2012 at 9:38 pm

    In fact u had an awesome time there. Amano and DuDu are only the cream on the top. But for those days Berlin is the hometown for the “net-homies”.
    Always fun to be in Berlin – the only town in Germany that “never sleeps”. But won´t bore anybody with stories about Berlin right now 🙂
    Conferences like that are so important ´cause they are part of something bigger in my opinion. Not only for bloggers, even for all users of internet technology in general. Why?
    Let`s remember the discussion about copyright(s) and the development of free media on the Internet.
    I´m a fan (in minority I know) Linux-users and defender of Open-Source and Free software.
    In fact, using internet as an information medium has to become a kind of human right – everywhere in the world.
    The internet is the only thing I know (and imagine) that comes close in structure, potential, knowledge and function to human brains. And we all carry enough restrictions and borders in our brains allready. Don´t need any more from any direction.
    So much potential, so much inspiration, so much possibilities.
    With your posts/blog you inspire and challange us a lot and this can lead to everything.
    Isn´t this nice? We should take care, that this will carry on in the way we know today.
    Therefore, the use of free software and open technologies will help, is necessary as well as the development of free telecommunications networks in public ownership to make it possible for more people.
    There are many interests (may it be political or economically motivated) that don´t want us to overcome certain borders but control us.
    No better way I know than learn more about that in events like that. So, go ahead..

    • Reply tina May 24, 2012 at 10:26 pm

      Wow, this certainly is a different kind of comment I usually get. Funnily enough, this ties in nicely with what’s happening tomorrow (Friday) on my blog and on some of my fellow bloggers. There is a movement of bloggers that feel that design blogs and the likes always show the nice side of life, as if there are no problems, as if we all live in fairyland.

      So, to combat this, tomorrow we will all reveal something about us that we don’t usually talk about. Something more private in order to show that bloggers are real people.

      I know how you feel about open source and free software. And of course, we’ve spent many hours talking about my love for Apple and your frustration with them.
      I agree that the whole world should have access to free internet and free telecommunications networks but there’s still some way to go.

      For now, we should be greatful that applications like Twitter enable people to voice their opinions and report on the breakouts of atrocities around the world.
      Thank you for your thought provoking comment. xx

  • Reply Sunday Brunch | May 27, 2012 at 1:02 am

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