Some people say Düsseldorf is the most underestameted city in the south, but to be honest I'm not one of them. Maybe the city is more appealing to me in summertime. There was one shop though which was very original. Kauf dich Glücklich is a conceptstore with a very creative feel to it. So when you're in the neigbourhood, go check it out!
Beautiful. For men and animal! Clothes, furniture, jewelry, workshops and even travels made with love and attention. That was the vision of the owner of Sukha in Amsterdam. She created a modern litlle departmentstore with style. Worth the visit!
Last weekend I visited a cute little shop in Amsterdam: Het grote Avontuur. You can find all kind of things there for your house which they collect from all over the world. With one thing in common: they are all sweet. Grandmother-hip in a flowery decor!
I just love the trend of Urban Knitting. It's almost streetpoetry to see the vibrant colors and textures in combination with the raw concrete of the city. During the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven you can try it yourself in a workshop at Tante Netty.
My compliments to the marketingpeople of the Moleskine notebooks. They really master the art of adding emotion to a simple black book. They made a campagne which is nominated in the Design Awards for Best Motion Design during the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven. In my opinion a winner!
A cabinet of curiosities. In the middle of Amsterdam. The shop The Otherist sells uniquely handmade items that suppose to wow, amaze and surprise. And that they do. Wow!
Yesterday I celibrated my birthday at the very cosy and delicious restaurant Claire in Eindhoven. As a real green tea addict I just loved their Tea Forte. There even is poetry in a teabag ;)
I spotted some beautiful eclectic jewellery in Portugal. It turned out to be made by the Israelic jewellery designer Ayala Bar. She gets her inspiration from everyday life: colors of the fruitmarket to the organic thin veins of a leaf. She uses multi coloured gemstones, beads, pearls, fabric and crystals.
Sui Generis is the latin expression for ‘unique in its characteristics’. Bar,restaurant & beachclub Sui Generis located on the Island of Faro is unique indeed. In the middle of wooden holidayhouses this modern concrete building stands out immediately. Sitting with your toes in the sand, overlooking the sea, nibbling on some fushion sushi made by a Brazilian chef. No wonder we wanted to stay. Forever.
TMcollection is a fashion and home design company under the creative direction of the Portugese Teresa Martins. During my holidays I visited her shop in Almancil near Faro. Teresa uses beautiful materials such as silks, cottons, linens & wools with special printings, texture and delicate embroideries. The outcome has an artistic, etnical, bohemian chic feel to it. Beautiful!
Also seen in Florence: the Italian fashionbrand Manila Grace. Clothes from beautiful fabrics with nice details. Something to remember for a next time in Italy.
This summer I found a culinary haven in lively Florence. Just a step away from Ponte Vecchio, in front of the imposing entry to Palazzo Pitti you’ll find Caffe Pitti. For an excellent dinner or delicious light lunch. The kitchen follows the flavours and traditions of typical Florentine dishes with a pinch of modern creativity. In the adjoining shop - with marvelous tiles - you can buy their wines and truffles as a special souvenir.
To try-out our borrowed campervan we started our holiday in the little beachtown Domburg. We already knew that the province Zeeland is beautiful and brings back lots of nostalgic feelings. But is it also hip and trendy? Judging by de Domburgsche Bier en melk salon we say YES! It’s a perfectly decorated eatcafe and shop that combines nostalgia with pure and honest food and drinks. And in summer they fill picknickbaskets to take away to the beach!
Last summer we were in India. And in the midst of all the overwhelming and colorful bustle of Delhi we found a haven of serenity. Good Earth is a shop and café situated at Kahn market. The owner believes that true luxury is in the detail of everyday living. It is in being surrounded by pure and natural materials that have been handcrafted and thoughtfully designed. Sigh…
Make sure when you plan a shoppingroute in Antwerp (sale has already started)to include Berlin. This brasserie has a great urban feel to it and serves the best daily’s in town.
After a few months travelling Australia in a little campervan we craved for some luxury in Sydney. We found it in a quirky boutique hotel Altamont in the great neighbourhood Darlinghurst. Packed with cosy café’s and restaurants. And what a treat it was to have Govinda’s, a movietheatre where you can watch movies lying on gigantic cushions, right next door. The ultimate luxury was getting a haircut at hip and happening hairdressers Sas and Lou!
A few years ago we made a trip around the world which we ended - totally relaxed - at Isla Mujeres in Mexico. It’s a little island surrounded by turquoise water in the bay of Cancun. Absolutely laid-back with a bit of a hippy-feeling. Our favorite breakfast/coffee café was Elements of the islands. A little oasis with healthy food, yogaclasses on the rooftop and earthly decorated apartments for rent. The kind of place that you remember back in Holland on a rainy monday morning…
