Simply Muji

How beautiful can simple design be! You can tell that retailer Muji has its origin in Japan. Basic, pure and simple. The products, the shops, the packaging, everything is just right. It simply is what it is. They sell stationery, travelaccessories, storagestuff, clothes and toys. Unfortunately not yet in Holland. Try the one in Paris or visit them online.  

Merci Paris





Last Christmas we were in Paris and I seized the opportunity to visit Merci. The conceptstore on the outskirts of the cool neighbourhood Le Marais is amazing! A dazzling mix of fashion, interior, vintage, books and a great café in an industrial setting. Loving it!

Yerse

Another fashionlabel that’s sweet to women and girls with hips is the Spanish brand Yerse. The frontpage of the website starts with a beautiful photostream shot by Wai Lin Tse. 

Toast

In my worldwide search for fashionlabels that also consider women with curves I came across TOAST. This UK company makes clothes (up to and incluiding size 44/46) with simple lines and beautiful details. There is also a house&home section. Check the online magazines with breathtaking photographs and smart styling.

Lof der Zoetheid

When we were in Rotterdam the other day we stumbled by chance upon a little cornercafé for breakfast and lunch, Lof der Zoetheid. The place is run by a mother and daughter with Russian roots. Elena’s specialty is patisserie and Anastacia is cook and graphic designer. They serve the most delicious, pure, homemade food (that also looks great). Lof der Zoetheid also does really creative foodprojects and catering.

Villa Augustus

I have a softspot for old buildings turned into new possibilities. A great example is Villa Augustus in Dordrecht. A majestic water tower from 1882 situated at the Wantij turned into a hotel, restaurant, market-café and vegetable garden. The interior design, the respect for monumental features, the graphics, the things they sell in the shop, the location at the water, the menu. It’s a real treat for all senses.

Pure in Antwerp

The theme in this cute little shop A. Puur a. in Antwerp is pure materials. Shopowner and designer Katrien Buyle collects products from linen, wood and leather with a fairytale beauty. Bags, butterflies, jewels, notebooks, stationery, cushions and more. A shop where you can snoop around and forget the time. Kammenstraat 89. 

De broers van Julienne

Whenever I’m in Antwerp I try to make a pitstop at De broers van Julienne. A restaurant (and take-away) with the most delicious vegetarian- and fishdishes. Quiches with salmon, tempura from scampi, tomato-carrotsoup, stews, almond-pearpie. It’s all mouthwatering. Funny detail: de name of the restaurant refers to the choppingmethod for vegetables ‘a la julienne’. The good news is they opened a second place in the citycenter!

Anthropologie

A few years ago when I was in LA for the first time I came across a great shop: Anthropologie. A mix of clothes, interior, accessories, beautyproducts, and books. All  with a bohemian, folkloristic flavor. I am absolutely in love with it. Luckily they opened a shop more within reach, in London and a beautiful website which also delivers overseas.

En route!

In my recollection it’s always raining in the Ardennen. Dark, wet and spooky. Not last weekend though. With three friends and two dogs we walked a part of the Pelgimsroute to Santiago de Compostella. In two days fifty kilometers of sun! Meadows with flowers. Little rivers cutting through the landscape. Wooden bridges. But also breathtakingly steep hills, deep drop downs and sore feet. When we thought we couldn’t make another move, there it was. An old mansion from 1895 turned into a Bed and Breakfast. Entre Deux Pays in Spa. The friendly owners Erika and Rob just opened it last april. They decorated the place with great vintage furniture. The full breakfast was just what we needed to continue our route the next day!

Made by Lennebelle

At the Swanmarket in Rotterdam I came across the jewels of Made by Lennebelle. Delicate and sweet. With tassels in different colors like blossom pink, violet purple and spring green. Super cute presented in a test-box.

Up & personal in Barcelona

Last may I discovered a hidden gem in Barcelona. Rigth in the middle of the upcoming neighborhood Poble Nou there is a place were you feel like home. Bed and Breakfast Poble Nou is run by the friendly hostess Mercedes who gives her guests a warm welcome. A sunny courtyard is surrounded by gracefully decorated rooms with names like: the Gaudiroom and the Picassoroom.  Our room had a  gorgeous original tiled floor. The beach is just a few minutes away. So is the metro to the centre of the city. The perfect getaway to have the best of both worlds.

Norwegian wood

I have a real soft spot for movies which have beautiful art-direction. Images that take your breath away. And yeah…I’m also a sucker for romance and drama. All those elements are combined in Norwegian wood, which I saw the other day at Plaza Futura. The movie is based on the novel from the Japanese writer Haruki Murakami and tells the story of young people falling in love and the pain of letting go. Images of the city (notice the great retro interiors) contrast stunningly with images of nature. Melancholy and poetic!

Up on the roof

Picture this. A roof of an abandoned railwaystation with puddles of rainwater. In the background the skyline of Rotterdam during sundown. Trains come and go. Birds fly over. In this vivid decor the dancers of the dutch modern dance company Conny Janssen danst brought their show Common Ground last year. I still have the images in my mind. Pure beauty that only comes by every once in a while. The citysounds, the surroundings, the wonderful movements, the music. Everything came together!