coffee table

On our queste for a new coffee table, we can advice you to take a look at Zuiderlei Interiors.

Superfriendly lady of the house (= shop) gives you good advice for small or large interior challenges. I fell in love with this table that's available in fabrics like silk or velvet ; leather for the more extravagant or low maintenance type of table was evenly suggested.

Amberes es MAS - Antwerpen is méér !

art by Panamarenko

can you spot me ?

We put our city on the (world)map again this weekend ! Finally the new musem at the River (Musem Aan de Stroom) has opened. This weekend ever1 was granted a free entrance, fireworks, rooftop concerts and so much more to celebrate this happy occasion. So many people today - massive crowds and everybody wanting to see the fabulous building architectually designed by Willem-Jan Neutelings.

We decided to join the crowds today but will pay an actual inside visit in a couple of weeks time. The hype will be reduced and it will be an opportunity to see more (MAS in Spanish :^) of this wonderful building and it's treasures.

The 10 story high building holds offices, a permanent collection, restaurant and partyfloor and panoramic rooftop view and so much more.

COS

This post is dedicated to Pamak ..

I've been a bad blogger.

As people start to react on the fact they've seen the same blogpost for some weeks and dissapointment strikes them as they open my link in their Favorites, I guess it's just time for me to get a grip and start working on some (more) frequently (posted) blogstories.

So I guess it's just fair to share my fave store in Antwerp ; my own little secret for these last couple of years. You must like the way COS presents their collection on the racks ; seeing through it and making a choice between all perfectly finished products. COS is like a mini concept store ; basicly drowned in black, midnight blues, white and off whites. Since last year they added some edgynes in presenting hints of fluorescent colours like green and orange.

Books, candles and jewelry are spread all around the store. Shoes and underwear complement their collection (and style). In fact, you can buy a complete season's outfit in case you would lose your luggage ; a good tip for any1 coming to a European country and suffering this loss and inconvenience. On top of that, prices are democratic and fair. Materials are pure and soft. Silk, cottons and cashmere are mostly used. For shoes, belts and bags it's soft leather.

I'll leave you guys with some pictures, a tiny hint of what you might expect from any COS store around Europe. But a visit won't do you any harm ; check them out and submerge in style and class that won't break the bank.

Bitter Sweet café (Bitter Zoet)

One of my fav places to enjoy breakfast or just a latté !

Still brill weather outside so I might just enjoy my coffee outside ... and enjoy the company of Lisa, the owner of Bitter Zoet ...

These kinda places always attract creative or arty people, just like this morning.

The 2 guys seen in the pictures are creators of a (new) character they'd like to become a household name to newspapers like De Standaard or De Morgen ... They draw and invent adventures for a short comic rready to be launched soon !

They gave good face too, as seen in the pics ! Thanks for posing for me guys !

caffé internazionale

Wanna know a secret ? Let me share you this ; the best place to enjoy a pastrami sandwich NY-style outside the USA ? It's right around my corner and it's at caffé internazionale !

On top of that, you are welcomed by a friendly owner ; you are seated in a trendy retro decor and they have fresh minttea - gingerlove tea (my 2 favs) and have a place in the sun to sit when the working day is done.

Life can be beautiful !

Zadig & Voltaire

I've always been a great fan of Zadig & Voltaire ... their style is casual chic, jeune Parisiènne meets GI Jane with some extra bling.

I'm a recycler and when I sell something in our local second hand store, I treat myself to something new. That's how I got the army blouse slash coat.

The fabric is heavy enough to be worn as a jacket and the compliments I got on this number have been awesome. The little details make the jacket feminine but also a little tomboy-ish.

The military style is hot now and luckily available in many stores ; I can step out of my black & navyblue numbers, stay basic and simple in my fabrics choice. Think Garance Doré ; she could be THE perfect Zadig & Voltaire girl.

Check out their online store ; I'm sure you will be seduced in buying that little MICK of IGGY tunisien (shirt) !

I was born too late ... I so love this Mad Men style

my dress looks like the one on the left, only it's black chiffon ... (and it's a vintage D & G, hellloooooo)

This Saturday we'll have a little classy party for me.. yay ! It's my birthday and I wanted it to be in style ...

Monday I went out on a hunt for the perfect dress ; think Mad Men / Rockabilly / add something new to it.

I wasn't going to this particular shop but when my eye caught this vintage black dress in the back of their window display, I was enchanted by the fabric and the total look of it.

You just need to be lucky to find just your size ; second handshops only have this 1 piece/each.

Guess what, the tag said yes ; I tried it on and it fitted me like a glove.

Me so happy ....

Now I need to figure out what to do with my hair ... any ideas ? Suggestions ?

Instant Spa in Antwerp ! (part deux)

So glad that USA label O.P.I is finally in store in Belgium ...

So finally been to that Spa today - first wasn't meant to be as I had a very hectic from here to there and back morning !

Phonecalls that boxes had been delivered just when I was standing with my hands full !

So no girlie date today and when I discovered the delivery was a double delivery (not even meant for me) I had it and said to myself ; the hell with it !

I'm taking a look if there's a place available for an instant foot treatment and there was !

Now because they are only open for 2 weeks, our local Antwerp tv station came in when I was already taken care of and they did an info-mercial for Relax (tv program)

If you look close and click on that last picture, you'll see the cameraman in the shop !

Bollekesfeesten or Party in the hood !

3 days long our neighbourhood will be filled with loads of people. The annual 'Bollekesfeesten'* take place just in front of us. Normally all food and drinks are to be seen near our cityhall but this year the city of Antwerp decided to do it here...

It already started yesterday night with a apéro-event and on Sunday morning 1500 people will get free breakfast ; more pics will surely follow !

*Bolleke is a nickname for a dark beer called : the Koninck. It is served in a glass that is quite round ; bolleke means little ball and the brewery is still here in Antwerp.

Apology

Have to say to you guys I am deeply sorry that I haven't been blogging frequently.

Nor reading your blogs either ...

It's been a hell of a busy time, always at this time of year were everything falls together.

As you know I do run a little kiddie-store and that also needs some attention too.

Had to go to the Kleine Fabriek-fair in Amsterdam and follow up many appointments these 2 weeks to order next season's collection of 2010.

I must say I have been surprised in a pleasant way, and by that I mean in discovering a USA, NY based label called CLOVER.

I found it already amazing they ever heard of my tiny shop but pretty soon it became clear one of you guys had pointed OH DEER! out to these 2 lovely ladies, Jordana and Mariette...

So thank you Mr Condescending in being a PR agent for me...

Tonight India and I are going to the Britney concert !

I am tired but also excited in going ....

I also have a little extra blog for you all, probably Sunday ...you'll see...

Love you guys and as they say, it's not because you don't see me (a lot these days), you're out of my hearts ...

Spring kick off !

This is the final sign that Spring finally has hit our town !

When I came home from the job this evening, I saw - for the first time since last October - people sitting on the steps of our beautiful museum.

From now on, each afternoon, evening and night, the steps will be filled with the beautiful people that live or visit our city of Antwerp...Some even bring a bottle of wine, Bollie sweetie and some snacks ... This is our way of city picknicking .....

This is how I got started (this morning) - Not outside yet (look at the terrace) ; will be doing that pretty soon !

Pip

I have a lovely label in my little shop called Pip Studio.

The founder of PS is Catharina and she finds her inspiration for Pip (her own nickname since childhood) in stuff she found when cleaning out the attic when her grandmother died...

Apparently, her 'oma' (Dutch for grandmother) had collected papers, ribbons, pearls and beads and lots of other frills through the years and founded the base for this lovely collection.

And life goes on ... in 2009

Just a silly woman with an iconic head....:-O



This morning I got this fabulous sight when I looked out of my window ...
It's cold as hell but this is what you get for some extra winterfeeling...


The (half) circle you see on the right is a bench designed by Ann Demeulemeester...