Diana reporting from Munich
I came to Munich with the idea of visiting my “husband to be” and to follow a German language
course, just for a couple of weeks. I stayed ever since (and yes: I got married!). It’s hard not to like
this city. Elegant, green, safe, pretty and with an ease of living that is almost southern European.
And then there are the shops. Oh the shops! Away from the glamour of the Maximilianstrasse there
are many, many small shops with individual style and handcrafted products. Although Munich
probably isn’t an international hotspot for avant-garde design, it has a long arts and crafts tradition,
the results of which can be found throughout the city in studios and ateliers from young designers, in stores that specialize on arts and crafts supplies or in traditional family businesses.
For my paper supplies (I’m a hoarder!) I usually go to Carta Pura. A small shop in the
“Schellingstrasse”. Their beautiful paper, notebooks and albums are displayed in a purist, clean style.
The very friendly and knowledgeable team designs their own books and albums and have a great
collection of utensils for calligraphy, drawing and paper crafting. Also worthwhile: their wood block
print cards form Georg Schwellensattl.
Another address I like to go to, especially when I’m looking for a gift, is Kokon. This shop’s decoration
is a feast for the eye. Their florist corner, home textiles and what is probably Munich’s largest
collection of coffee table books on design and life style could keep me there for hours. 
Whenever it’s lunch-time and I happen to be in the city center, I always try to drop by Poseidon. This
fish shop/bistro offers delicious food and in summer you can sit on their small terrace and watch the
coming and going at Munich’s central market the “Viktualienmarkt”. Another of my favorite places
(sweet tooth people pay attention!) is Götterspeise. This delicious café lies in the middle of the
“Gärtnerplatzviertel” (…those German names are killing me…). An area high on my favorites list
anyway. You’ll find everything in this part of the city: thrift stores, fashion boutiques and shops
carrying anything from tin toys to vintage movie posters. In “Haidhausen” (another great
neighbourhood) you can find Petra Fischers ceramic studio: 1260 Grad.
When a day comes to its end, for me there is nothing better than to put a basket of food together (in
daily life that means from the local supermarket-for you, as visitors: Indulge yourself at Dallmayr’s!)
and to meet up with friends and family in one of the many Beergardens (e.g. in the “Englischer
Garten”) or somewhere upstream at the river Isar (preferably south of “Thalkirchen” unless you
wanna go for the young party crowd). In case you decide to stay after all, one day you’ll have Ursula
Fröhmer make you a Dirndl! A traditional one, without “schnick-schnack” as the Germans say...
* * *Diana from Oh...My Bag
* * * Diana's shop Ribbons & Crafts
{originally posted in 2008}
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