New Addition to the Household

So.. during last easter day, I went to the biggest flea market (Ij-Hallen) at Amsterdam North with my husband and some friends. My main goal was to find some vintage decorations for the house! And the best part.. I've got what I've been wanting for AGES...VINTAGE SUITCASE.

Got it for very reasonable price.. and in perfect condition! You can see the aging of the form and that it's been used (labels, dirt..)! Absolutely love it..............!

There are a lot of things being sold @ Ij-Hallen (some of them are total junks) but if you are very much into vintage hunting.. it's definitely HEAVEN! Hundreds stalls of accessories, furnitures, clothing, jewelries.. all what you can think of. I for sure will come back there ..

So you're around Amsterdam during the Ij-Hallen schedule, do check it out! Next on schedule is 5-6th May. It's so much fun as you can also experience the free boat ride from the stop behind Amsterdam Central Station to Amsterdam North (when it's nice weather.. it's really nice!!).

Tweet

H&M Presents .. FASHION AGAINST AIDS 2012

Fashion can be used as a statement for good cause! And since 2008, H&M has been supporting the awareness towards AIDS/HIV by issuing the FASHION AGAINST AIDS collections. This year collection is mostly inspired by African tribal designs. Below you can find overview of H&M FAA 2012 collection:

My personal favorites are the tribal bustier, acid short jeans and the tribal legging! I'm so going to check myself inside H&M this weekend and try them up! Well at least, if I'm buying, they will go to charity. H&M confirms that 25% of its revenues will be given to AIDS/HIV awareness projects.

In addition to that, you can also help by donating uploading your kiss . JOIN!!!!!! Go to the link and upload your kiss. H&M will donate to HIV/AIDS prevention for every upload $1! I, myself uploaded the picture which was taken before I got married! It's a picture with my parents .. I ♥ Love it so much.. 

Collection is out April 26th 2012. Go check your nearest H&M stores or online and support Fashion Against AIDS!

Tweet

Spotlight: Tove Adman

My husband and I have been looking for a while for a simple long hanging lamp to fulfill our living room area and we've finally found this Edison lamp by Tove Adman. So simple and yet beautiful.

Further to my finding of the Edison Lamp, I browse through her collections and it's just incredible. Some of you who know me very well for sure aware of my passion for Scandinavian designs. They just fit perfectly to my taste (from simple designs to colorful patterns). Sweden born Adman manages to combine unusual materials to different forms yet making them functional and beautiful. Below you can find her other designs which I love dearly.

 www.toveadman.se

In addition to that, I have to also include the ads which I found in her website! These 2 are my fave .. they represent the simplicity of life and happiness!

www.toveadman.se

Now I just need to find the Edison lamp in Holland (any suggestion?)? If not, online shopping it is but for sure I will have that Edison concrete lamp hangs on my living room wall! 

Tweet

Je t'aime La Marelle

Today as I went to the city centre @ Amsterdam, I passed by a store which sells must have gadgets called By Popular Demand (BPD) at the corner of Spuistraat en de Raadhuisstraat. There are a lot of cute things sold but one brand which caught my attention immediately is La Marelle.

The first thing I saw when I walked in was the list of notebooks. They sell La Marelle 3 packs of notebooks and the travel notebook (it's filled with different pages with cute images) which is definitely one notebook you want to have when you're traveling! 

And then I saw the rack of I-phone case and OMG! It's so.. adorable (and the price is really ok!) and at that specific moment, I really wished that I had an I-phone instead of Blackberry!

Well after the visit, I went directly online to check the website. This French based brand has so many to offer! From stationary, home decorations, accessories, jewelries, to the cutest paper lanterns. For me personally, I'm head over heels over this cloud necklace, ribbon brooch (which I found in the website) and the paper lanterns!

(necklace, ribbon brooch and paper lanterns, images: la marelle)

Je t'aime La Marelle!

Tweet

The Hidden Gem of Amsterdam.. Restaurant Fyra

Fyra is definitely one of Amsterdam's best kept secret restaurants. Hidden down one of the side streets of Vijzelstraat, it is not one of the restaurants that you stumble upon when you're walking around but you need to know it.


Though no Michelin star obtains, Fyra is above the standards of an ordinary restaurant. Everything about it screams AMAZING! The quality of food is at top notch (even better than some of the Michelin restaurants I've tasted).The wines' origins aren't ordinary (but delicious), example from Greece, Moldova, Bulgaria and my ultimate favorite is the Dutch sparkling Riesling which is normally served as aperetief. Service is very welcoming and friendly. It's so easy going that it feels like you are eating dinner at HOME!


PRICE = VERY AFFORDABLE!
Weekly menu (4 courses) = 38 euros and Chef's menu (5 courses) = 55 euros
The menu is differing every week based on fresh ingredients that the restaurant finds! Before your starter comes, you will get amuse bouche of a small, savory macaron with a filling of smoked herring and pickle flavored creme combines with coconut soup and crackers made from squid's ink. In addition to that fresh home made brioche (super yumm.. all those butter) is provided (and best part you can ask for more)! The menu's combinations are well thought and the portions are perfect in size.


If you decide to order out of the weekly menu, make sure to either try the black angus steak or the braised veal. They are TO DIE FOR! 

Fyra is definitely worth a visit (click picture on direct link to the website). One advise: DO RESERVE! and you are planning to go in the weekend, reserve in advance as weekend is normally fully booked.
ENJOY! and let me know what you think once you've gone there..

Tweet

Song for Thursday

Incredibly Beautiful

Museum of Flight - Damien Jurado

And for those of you who are in the Netherlands on 12th August (unfortunately I won't be here as I'll be in France for a friend's wedding)... DAMIEN JURADO is playing at Tivoli, Utrecht.

Tweet

Channeling Coachella 2012

What's Coachella for those of you who don't know!?


Coachella is an annual 3 days music, art festival which takes place @ Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. It's one of those festivals where you can find not only big names in music industry but also lots of celebrities wandering around, celebrating the atmosphere! For me personally, Coachella is an event to spot amazing outfits!


If you've been surfing around to check out the outfits surrounding Coachella, you definitely find lots of thumbs up and also some which you might be thinking.."* WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU WEARING"!*??


Browsing through the Coachella's 2012 (week 1) gallery, I've chosen some of my favorites! From celebrities' look, my main pick goes to model Dree Hemingway! I fell in ♥ when I saw her in Mulberry Pool Party with the Dolce and Gabbana bustier and skirt. She was not trying too hard with all the 'hippies' wannabe look. Keep it simple but still playful, fresh, chic and ofcourse.. festival street style! 

Second one is Kate Bosworth. That girl knows how to bring the hotness of 'street' outfit! The white flowery blouse she wore on the 4th picture is to die for.

The main offender for me is Vanessa Hudgens. Looking at how she dressed up.. she seemed like a 'hippie' wannabe or whatever it was (especially with that 'indian's hat!?!? the make up... OMG) so not natural for her (even Paris Hilton looks normal compares to her)! If she kept it simple, I bet she would look fabulous!

But in general, Coachella is a fashion ground! I've put on a collage of outfits which bring the energy of Coachella alive!

Though Coachella 2012 has ended, it's the sign for the start of festival's season throughout the world! In Holland itself, there will be numerous festivals starting from this April (unfortunately I'll be going to none though I would love to go to Lowlands this year since BLOC PARTY is playing!). Well as tickets are sold out and money is low .. I'll be just putting 5 list of outfits/accessories that represent the 'festival' life (besides all the necessary like rain boots, rain coats, etc):


1. Short denim pants
2. Chuck Taylor All Start (the older the better)
3. Tank Top
4. Hairbands
5. Sunglasses

Thumbs up for you guys who are going to any festival in 2012! Don't forget to enjoy dressing up.. :)

Tweet

Introducing.....

MULBERRY FIRST SNEAKERS!

(and it's FABULOUS!)

Unfortunately, we have to wait a while before getting it (unlike some 'lucky' one as below example: Kate Bosworth wore it @ Coachella Mulberry Pool Party). WANT IT!

But until then.. fall 2012 it is... ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Tweet