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BERLIN FINDS: McArthur Glen Designer Outlet

August 2, 2022

One of the most practical shopping tips when in Berlin is going to the MCARTHUR GLEN DESIGNER OUTLET during SUMMER & WINTER SALE. The bargains are unbelievable. Even better than my experience in the outlet store in Serravale and in Aubonne for certain brands.

VILLEROY & BOCH

One of my favorite German brands, I have their Royal Set which we use daily & also for entertaining. I’m a firm believer in having only one set that’s good enough for both entertaining and daily use to get the most out of your money.

Here i took pics of the matte white & black because I wanted to show a friend who I am helping out the prices in Berlin Outlet so that she can compare it with the Swiss Outlet prices. It’s a huge difference!

For example we had 2 bread plates that were chipped. The regular price here in Switzerland is 29 CHF per plate, outlet price is 20 CHF and during the special shopping evening in Aubonne Outlet, I was able to get it at less 20% so it came out as 16 CHF each. In Berlin Outlet, it was only 6.30 EUROS each less 20% if you sign up for their newsletter. BUMMER! I should have bought it in Berlin.

For these mugs though, it’s pretty standard in the outlet stores to get it for 6.90 EUROS. I’m not into mugs, but if I were, these have so much attitude and so Instagrammable too!

They also have cute gift sets for kids. Though personally I prefer Zwilling or WMF when it comes to these sets that are perfect for giving expectant parents or a good first birthday or baptismal gift.

They gold cutlery sets too. In Manor Chavanne they have the shiny gold sets that are $$$ but here I saw matte gold set for 4 for almost 200 EUROS.

ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS

I learned about this brand from my grandmother. Her knippers were from here. Zwilling is German and made in Germany. But it has a sister company where the logo looks different and I think those are already made in China. So just be conscious and check where exactly the item is made. For knives & stainless steel I really prefer those that are made in Germany because the quality is so superior.

When it comes to cutlery & knives this is my favorite brand because they stay shiny forever. For example my set from Jakarta circa 2010 is what we use every day and it still looks like new. DiploBaby’s WMF kids set circa 2016 is no longer as shiny and has scratch marks already.

Decided to get steak knives because we don’t have any.

And after 14 years, I’m finally changing & upgrading my TWEEZERMAN nippers to these gold ones and get gold tweezers. Tweezerman is an affiliate of Zwilling & the blades/stainless tools are made in Germany.

I recommend their stainless, dishwasher safe cooking utensils. I NEVER use plastic or silicone for cooking to avoid toxic ingredients leaching into our food. Remember they are only safe up to a certain temperature and we aren’t always adhering to this safe temp when we are cooking. This is one of the #anticancer changes I made after TD got sick.

WMF

WMF is one of those brands that I would NEVER dream of buying in Indonesia or in the Philipinese because one pot can cost Php 11,000 or about 200 EUROS. Here in the WMF Outlet in Berlin, you can get a set of pots for only 167 EUROS less tax free!

It’s very hard to find beautiful water carafes that can fit into the refrigerator door, but here we have a LOT of choices! The best thing is that they make it easy to infuse water with fruits to make drinking water spark more joy!

DiploBaby has this kids cutlery set. It’s such a great gift for newborns that they can pass on to their siblings or even the next generation.

I was looking for this specific WMF Profi Plus schaumlöffel or slotted skimmer for easily removing fried food from the pan. Too bad they were out of stock. So I ended up ordering it on Amazon.de.

This is the great thing about Germany. You can find so many high quality cooking and serving utensils that I’ve never seen in other countries. And it will be priced much lower – like half or less – than if you purchase it outside.

As a DiploWife I definitely collected what I could because we need it for diplo entertaining.

How chic is this WMF Nuova perforated serving tong?

They also have sets, but I find Zwilling better value for money.

I have this WMF Magnetic Knife Block with chopping board, but Zwilling outlet has the same at only 70 EUROS.

BIRKENSTOCK

Another store that was on my wishlist is Birkenstock because my white Birks in wide are already in terrible shape. Unfortunately for me, the store staff told me that they are DISCONTINUING THE WIDE SIZES! This is terrible!!! Not everyone has slim feet!

They have obviously been affected by the pandemic because there were very few options. They said that production for the year is done so they are just finishing what they have and the new stocks will come when they production starts again.

They have this Papillio brand.

FOSSIL

Commuting around Berlin is a shoe and bag killer so for bags, I only trusted Fossil not to fall apart. The workmanship is great and it’s really sturdy + the price to performance ratio is fantastic especially if you buy on sale in the Berlin Outlet store.

I love their cross body bags! Perfect for handsfree commuting, travel & shopping!

I instantly fell in love with this mint crossbody. They had a sale where you get additional 20% off if you get 2 bags.

This shape is great too + it comes with optional crossbody strap. This was my fave shape when I was living in Berlin

Showing this knapsack style to Yaya B

We ended up crossbody twinsies. She got a different style but same color.

HUGO BOSS

Another proudly German brand is Hugo Boss.

TD wanted to go to check out their ties. They have classic wide ties but also some really hip skinny ties that are knitted or just have more modern patterns.

ECCO SHOES

ECCO is basically the only closed shoes/boots that I use heavily in Europe because they are perfect for people with WIDE feet like me! I can use their shoes/boots the whole day without pain.

VICTORINOX

I find it so strange that this Swiss brand is actually cheaper in Berlin Outlet than in Switzerland. This is a cool luggage that’s great for meetings because is has special storage for suits so the suit doesn’t get crumpled. It even has a special tie compartment.

ADIDAS

Another proudly German brand is ADIDAS. We went in, but surprisingly the prices are more expensive in Berlin Outlet, compared to Aubonne Outlet prices here in Switzerland. So in this case a German brand is more expensive in Germany. Strange but interesting to note!

Aubonne Outlet also has more Adidas x LEGO choices for kids!

Those are the highlights & my observations for #DesignerOutletBerlin. I hope you found it interesting! If you love these brands, it’s definitely worth a visit. There are a lot more brands though. Here is a complete list of STORES in Designer Outlet Berlin. Another thing I appreciate is that the stores here upscale but practical and not too high end luxury. If you are looking for super high end luxury goods like Gucci, Prada, etc. This is not the outlet for you.

Before we headed home Tess bought the sweetest strawberries from Karl’s. Karl’s is my absolute favorite place to buy strawberries because they are so sweet. When I was pregnant with DiploBaby, TD would buy a basket daily and I would have strawberries with SALT. Shocking I know! I couldn’t have mangga at bagoong so this was what I had instead lol!

TO SEE THE REST OF OUR TRIP PLEASE
READ: OUR BERLIN 2022 VISIT ITINERARY

MCARTHUR GLEN DESIGNER OUTLET BERLIN

+49332349040
Monday to Saturday 10am–8pm
Alter Spandauer Weg 1, 14641 Wustermark, Germany

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Welcome

Hello! I’m Ayessa, trailing spouse to a diplomat, mama to DiploBaby and DiploDog and founder of Declutter MNL. I love talking about how to achieve a minimaluxe lifestyle one step at a time.

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DISCLOSURE

I am an Amazon affiliate, but all opinions are my own. The content of all my blog and social media posts are products and experiences that I truly enjoy and I only work with brands that fit my life and style.

GOOD TO KNOW GUIDE

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @UNDIPLOMATICWIFE

HOW NEAR IS @geneveaeroport? We are very lucky th HOW NEAR IS @geneveaeroport?

We are very lucky that the Geneva Airport is very near because it is located 4 km northwest of the city centre. It takes us less than 15mins by car & is easier to get to than airports outside the city.

BUT also means that many of the Geneva residents suffer from AIRCRAFT NOISE POLLUTION. 

In some parts of Geneva, like Vernier, Meyrin, Bellevue, Versoix, etc will have the airplane pass on top of you or very near you. This is something to consider when you are MOVING TO GENEVA & looking for a home.

When we were in @bioparcgeneve recently, it felt like airplane after airplane was going overhead every few mins. The poor animals were screaming each time.

A  report by the European Environment Agency(EEA) in 2017 said that 12% or 73,500 Geneva residents have their hearing disturbed by aircraft noise. Probably the figures have risen with the natural increase population & travel?

“The EEA describes noise as a pervasive pollutant that directly affects the health and well-being of humans and wildlife. Populations exposed to high noise levels can exhibit stress reactions, sleep-stage changes, and clinical symptoms like hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. All of these can contribute to premature mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) reckons that humans exposed to noise levels above 40 decibels at night experience adverse health effects.

Across Europe it is estimated that noise contributed to at least 900,000 additional cases of hypertension in 2011.” - @le_news_ch 

DID YOU KNOW that owners of homes affected by the noise can request for soundproofing to be paid for by GVA? 

Check if your home meets the conditions for FREE SOUNDPROOFING c/o Genève Aéroport here:

https://www.gva.ch/en/Site/Geneve-Aeroport/Questions-Reponses-FAQ/Bruit#

SAVE or SHARE this now with someone you know who might be moving to Geneva or is already suffering from aircraft #noisepollution. 

#UDWinGeneva #UDWgenevagoodtoknow #expatingeneva #diplofamily #expatlife #genevaswitzerland #expatingeneva #filipinoingeneva #pinoyingeneva #movingtogeneva #movingtoswitzerland #movingtogeneva #genevaexpats #switzerlandexpatlife #geneva #genevaswitzerland
MERCADONA HAUL Whenever we go to Spain, we love t MERCADONA HAUL

Whenever we go to Spain, we love to go to @mercadona. It might be small but has a good affordable selection. It’s my thrifty Spanish MIL’s favorite.

We were so lucky that we had a @mercadona right beside our hotel Marina Badalona. Very convenient.
Our favorite things to bring home are:

☕️ frozen porras (bigger than churros)

🐑 baby lamb chops (the only lamb I eat coz it’s not malangsa & all you need to do is fry till crispy in olive oil with S&P) it’s called Chuletas Cabrito but TD calls it lechal 

🐽 chicharon or crispy pork rinds

🥔 Homemade potato chips. The best potato chips for me are from Spain. I don’t know how it’s so much yummier! The olive oil???

🎣 canned Sardines & tuna for me and Yaya B

TIPS:

🧊 For frozen items, we usually ask the hotel before we buy if they can put it in their freezer until we fly.

✍️ I usually bring different sizes ZIPLOCK BAGS, MASKING TAPE & MARKER when we travel so we can put everything in, label with our name and room number.

📸 then I take a photo so we can just show it to the staff and they can easily find it in their freezer.

✈️ When it’s time to pack, I placed our beach towels around the frozen packages coz I know they will SWEAT & I don’t want our other things to get wet 💦 

What  grocery do you usually like to shop for when in Spain? Where do you buy them?

#udwinbarcelona #udwinbadalona #udwtraveldiaries #udwtraveltips #udwtraveltip #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
FREE GEAR RENTAL @boxup.app + OUTDOOR GYM at ISW C FREE GEAR RENTAL @boxup.app + OUTDOOR GYM at ISW Calisthenics Park 

📍Chem. des Tuileries 140, 1293 Bellevue

After the lovely BIOPARC we headed across to this chill park with ample PARKING that had so many things for kids & anyone who wants to move & work out:

⚽️ The kids wanted to kick around a football so we borrowed a ball from @boxup.app (they also have pumps, 🏓, 🏐, 🏀, etc) just download the app & turn on your Bluetooth & follow instructions! Return after 3hrs.

👟 Outdoor gym - this was a huge hit with the kids

⚽️ football - this too!

🏀 basketball court

🏓 Ping-pong 

🏐 Beach volleyball court

🤸🏻 Monkey bars

🛝 small playground

Thanks for the wonderful afternoon guys @lidia_otilia_botezatu! 
How lucky are we to have these beautiful, clean open spaces. And the free rental gear is AMAZING! so convenient.

This is in Geneva, about 15mins drive from where we live.

SAVE THIS on your list of PARKS to visit!

⚠️ WARNING

it’s in the airplane path so there will be loud noise from that. It’s not as close as the bioparc but bring earplugs/earphones if you are sensitive.

#udwingeneva #genevaswitzerland #genevaforkids #diplobaby #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
BIOPARC GENÈVE Yesterday was a holiday in Switze BIOPARC GENÈVE

Yesterday was a holiday in Switzerland (except for Geneva). It was raining & miserable so I wanted to take @diplobaby out for a few hours. Thankfully midafternoon it stopped raining.

We met with our friends @lidia_otilia_botezatu in @bioparcgeneve and had a lovely time in this volunteer run zoo.

TIPS💡

🆓 It’s free for families on your FIRST visit!

🦢 you walk inside animal enclosures so wear shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty/stepping on poop. We wore boots & happy we did

🅿️ there’s parking inside on wood chips, if it’s full there’s another pavement parking (free up to 4hrs) across the roundabout 

🦔 Do not feed or touch the animals no matter how cute they are

🗺️ There are 2 routes (purple & blue) and 1-1.5hrs #diplshould be enough 

❎ Park closes at 4pm

SAVE THIS NOW if your looking for a fun & not too you can do in well und2hrs. It’s nice that you can go inside unlike most zoos so it’s quite unique.

⚠️ WARNING

it’s in the airplane path so there will be loud noise from that. @diplobaby who is super noise sensitive did not mind as much as I thought he would because he was so entertained by the animals.

#udwingeneva #genevaswitzerland #genevaforkids #diplobaby #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
MARINA BADALONA HOTEL At first we were going to MARINA BADALONA HOTEL 

At first we were going to stay in the heart of Barcelona, where we stayed 8 years ago (I didn’t even know that @diplobaby was already in my tummy at 2 weeks old) but the “hotel” is now expensive with no amenities & small rooms. So TD found a hotel in #badalona - a 20min taxi ride from Barcelona city center - that was so fabulous & slightly less expensive.

SAVE THIS NOW for future trips to Barcelona

WHY I LOVED marinabadalona
🤍 All white interiors was so beautiful & calming
🤍 Gorgeous view of the Marina 
🤍 Everything was so aesthetic, even where you tap your card to enter the room
🤍 Massive bed
🤍 Electric curtains
🤍 Lots of closet space & hangers
🤍 2 TVs
🤍 Refrigerator
🤍 White/cream Nespresso & kettle
🤍 Architecture & interior design is sooooo me!
🤍 Small rooftop pool with unbelievable views (need to do a separate post)
🤍 5min walk to the beach
🤍 Gorg esplanade
🤍 Yummy restos beside
🤍 Mercadona right beside - so convenient!

FEW RECOS FOR IMPROVEMENT:
✌️ Loved the textured wall paper, but it’s difficult to keep clean inside the bathroom
✌️ The bathroom surface area was a bit small & our stuff kept falling off the sink
✌️ Not a single chair in the family room so when we had room service we had to eat standing
✌️ No salt & pepper with room service so we called to ask & were told we would be charged for them taking it up. After TD clarified that there was no S&P with our meal, they said they would bring it up. The person brought a small bowl of of salt & pepper combined. The salt was for DiploBaby’s salmon, but he can’t eat pepper, I wanted both for my pesto. Had to run down in my slippers & the resto staff were very apologetic coz who serves a mixed S&P ever? They gave me individually packaged ones which I really appreciated.
✌️ Since the hotel has a pool & is by the beach, I wish there was a place to hang & dry swim suits. Our suits & watershoes did not dry in the tub.

All in all the value we got from staying in this hotel was so high compared to a more expensive hotel in Barcelona. No hotel stay is perfect.

Now, would I stay there again? YES PLEASE! Would you?

#udwinbarcelona #udwinbadalona #udwtraveldiaries
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