Creativity never stops

Always fun to receive something unexpected on your doorstep. Not the usual stuff like bills and commercial crap but a genuine present.

The little bag contained such a lovely package ; almost too beautiful to open.

Stylist Henny made this on her hospital (!!) bed yesterday ; creativity never stops.

I do understand the woman. She likes me and I like to make stuff for her too. Sometimes an opportunity comes along and this morning she called me up to ask me to help her for a project for an interior and lifestyle magazine. It will be the May issue. It will have to be something with birds.

I'm working on it as we speak ! Once the mag comes out, I'll share my happy moment with you guys.

A sugar bear ; sweet but too sugary to eat (at once) ..

This is Henny's sous-terre (basement) vitrine ; she's a decorator and stylist and likes to share anything beautiful with the rest of us.

Monsieur Karl did it again ...

I also added this picture of Diane Kruger cause I'm absolutely besotted with her shoes ! She attended the show, front row.

This post does not need much words !

Just added - what I think - pics of the most beautiful frocks out of the Chanel Haute Couture show in Paris today ... It explains why it still is my all time favorite label since I was 15.

Resolution

Tomate farçie à l'ancienne ...

Don't you just adore this whopper ? It's such a burly piece of pear.

My dessert for this evening.

I started to swim again ; I'm in need of some effort to relax afterwards. Sport makes the brain more alert - and it's a good way to loose some of that extra energy you can't get away with.

Also try to cut back on crappy food. More healthier snacks and meals.

Like the one I had this evening ; tomates farçies or stuffed tomatos. Sounds more posh in French doesn't it ? For the ones who give a damn, here's the recipe (and I want you to use your best Julia Child's air whilst cooking it !)

Ingredients

6 firm fleshy ripe tomatoes (2 1/2-3 inches in diameter)

1/4 cup olive oil

25 g extra lean ground beef (optional)

1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs

2 tb minced fresh basil leaves

2 tb minced fresh parsley leaves

3 tb minced shallots (scallions if available)

2 cloves minced garlic

salt

Freshly ground pepper

Pinch of dried thyme

Step1
Preheat the oven to 400ºF (200ºC).

Step2
Core the tomatoes by creating a wider circle around the stem and steadily cut the top center off with a sharp paring knife. Set aside the top center to cover the cored tomato like a lid. Then gently scoop out all of the tomato pulp using a small spoon. Cored tomatoes would now look like vessels. Then sprinkle each vessel with salt and pepper.

Step3
Combine the rest of the ingredients in a bowl, mix it with fork until well blended. Then stuff the mixture into the vessels. Put back the tomato lid to cover stuffed vessels. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place them, cut side up, on a baking dish in which they fit comfortably.

Step4
Bake until the stuffed tomatoes are soft and filling turn golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.

Step5
Serve hot or at room temperature.

This recipe makes 3-6 servings.

Dries van Noten

How can we not mention Dries van Noten ...

We must, our Antwerp proud and one of the most beautiful shops in Antwerp is a subject we always want to blog about.

Still leaning on last season's collection - remember those wide 1950-ies MadMen style skirts ? Even Michelle Obama could not resist !

How different and airy this collection looks compared to the Winter of 2010.

My fav ? The glittery almost fishtale alike look seen in trousers and the shoes !! Wowza !

Compared to the 'style de mamie' shoes seen at MiuMiu and Prada, this is way funkier and they look so comfortable due to the (almost) wedgy heals.

SS 2011 - wish list

Sometimes fashion can be too beautiful to be true. Mostly, I am drooling all over anything Chanel but this season, Miu Miu has hit my soft spot. So stylish, absolutely beautiful frocks and the shoes. THE SHOES.

I am not a shoe addict. My faithful followers know I have a scarf addiction. But the shoes Miu Miu has in store this season, are beyond amazing...

Wanna.have.them. Now.

The black & pink heels are my favourite pair ... they look so granny but with an edge to it !

I must admit they don't look comfy : but they are SO beautiful !

A wonderful 2011 !