Redirecting you to the new blog

click here to get to "still a little girl with her nose pressed to the glass window"

This is the end ...

But not really. in fact, it's the beginning of a new phase in my life. In 3 weeks time from now, Mr. C and I will get the keys to our new house.
I already wanted to do something else with the blog - changing the style and it's subjects. So now comes a great opportunity to (re)start a new blog.
Still thinking hard about the new blog title but I might have found something, whilst reading this great book by Elizabeth Bard. Lunch in Paris is a book about a new beginning and somewhere between the lines, I found this 4 word nickname Elizabeth gave lovingly to her (then) future husband. I might change it into a more feminine title, to make it sound better for me and the things I wanna write about.

{OoO}

Now, what's the new blog gonna be all about ? (* click on the words "the new blog" above or on the main title)
Fashion will always be a passion of mine but I feel I could share more closer to me subjects.
For instance, I will have a better equipped kitchen and I might do a bit of Julia Child imitation here. I finally will have my OWN private workspace so I can invite you all in my world of creativeness. Sebastian's room will be the first of many home decorating projects (and I already have a neighbour, Karen who wants to find inspiration in his room and is invited to enjoy the final result for Sebastian's room - she has 2 sons herself). We made this deal a couple of weeks ago. Now, she said the 'hood' we are welcomed in, is a childfriendly, 30-40 something area, peaceful yet trendy but not the m'as tu vue scene we are used to live in right now ! I do have to admit I am pretty fed up by the constant presence of people. I mean, can't I just stay in my PJ's for my morning coffee ! Oh the hell yes !! The prospect of my own little city garden with a spot in the morning sun makes me jump for joy. *am clapping my hands as we speak*

I don't want to sound like a-social bitch but the 'Antwerpen Zuid' scene gave me the same feel as 'fried air' these last 2 years. It just did not feel home to me anymore.


{OoO}

I now can but hope you will follow me into this new personal era.
As soon as the new blogname is a fact, I will leave a constant link to the new blog, so you guys can click it and follow me again.
Hope to see you all very soon.

Talk to you soon !
Dominica

Oh ! Those shoes (again) !

If there's a label that makes me irrational, weak and spend money on shoes it must be MIU MIU.

EVERY 'bl**dy' season they present THE most amazing shoes.

I've checked their updated website today. Very nice collection. The fact they used a 14 year old model makes me quiver and not because I'm excited ! She's beautiful and lovely and all, but she's is NOT a women (yet)... Still, I'm drifting, this 1 picture made me clap my hands really fast. Look at those shoes !! Aren't they just amazing ? I can see myself clatter around my house in them !

Introducing

my website and my own little label.

I started CIRKUS about 2 years ago : it has been a rollercoaster ride all the way but I have to say that this, gives me even more pleasure than the shop I own.

The shop gets you closer to real people but the contact we have online through the Cirkus website is more fun. People are very excited, want to get to know you after they receive their first delivery. That's the biggest compliment a designer can get.

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.

Just sharing ...

Sometimes, opportunities come your way and they are just too good not to share them with you all ! Hey, a warm welcome to the new addition of followers. So glad you all joined Faces & Places.

In the next months to come, I will blog way more cause we are going to move to a new home. I already imagine me being the next Gizzy Erskine - showing off my cookery skills in a new setting. You can't imagine how happy I am to finally have a BIG kitchen ; a properly installed kitchen. What about a view like the one we have now but no proper place to have your guests seated ?

F*** the view ! I want real people in my house ; no Rubenesque grande dame hanging in front of me on a wall. Let a museum be a museum. It's closed now anyway, so we have nothing left but the view.

But I'm drifting cause the main reason I'm posting this blog today is my friend Henny, stylist, grande dame and almost hedonistic in her way of living. Not in the rock & roll kind of way, but ... seeing life through pink sunglasses.

She celebrated her birthday last Friday and here she was, inviting me to taste some (pink) pastries and bubbles (and it was only 11AM ! ha !)

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.

Fratelli Rossetti

Lately, I'm developing a bad case of shoe addiction. I've always loved a good shoe but was somehow a bit avaricious to spend lots of money on them. I was or am more of a Converse girl.

After my 3 pairs at Marcoz last month (1 pair is still hiding in the box cause I feel a bit ashamed in what hubby will think) I got me another pair of lovelies. They were calling me in the window display when I went for my first run at the coast last weekend. Normally I concentrate on my running at this early hour, but the new shop just across our appartment has had a bad effect on me and my wallet.

The shoes I longed for aren't available in Antwerp, nor Brussels. That was the best excuse to buy them (correct: get them as my Easter present). I've only had seen them in a magazine so far.

So here we are ; looking at my tan leather stilettos with adjustable strap (red or tan) ... my inner Carry Bradshaw is coming out. Maybe the scarf addiction wasn't that bad after all compared to this addiction.

Brogues

my 3 fave it-and fashion girls : Sienna, Garance & Olivia ...

I like shoes. I'm not a shoe addict but I like my shoes to make a statement. I usually wear a lot of black, grey and nightblue so my shoes don't need to be demure. They have to clash !! I found some great shoes the other day at Marcoz*. They have a small selection but a GREAT choice. You just need to be quick if you really like that special pair. That makes me happy. Not to see the same pair on every corner.

Today I found some brogues** at their shop (again). The people are superfriendly and very helpful. What can't be said about that other shop at the Schuttershofstraat. I guess they just hire rude people with a smug face.

But I'm drifting : go and check their shop out ! With my compliments.

* 4,5 inch killers heels in hot green (twitter followers of my account must have seen them already)

** check my current header for these nude beauties

I drink A LOT of coffee

Artist, Museumstraat

Bitter & Zoet, Kronenburgstraat

Canal, Leopold de Waelplaats

Delafaille, Vlaamse Kaai

George Michael loves Belgian design

Did you hear the new single 'True Faith' by George Michael ? Not only did he cover a New Order song (one of my alltime favourite groups) but surprised us with a new look ; his glasses !

The glasses were designed bij Tim Van Steenbergen for THEO, one of our most famous (sun)glasses label in Belgium. Hubby wears THEO specs for years now (and is in desperate need to get some new ones confirmed by his optician).

What do you guys think about his new look ?

Timeless, I guess so

After so long I'm longing for another bag. I've been "shopping-bag-free" for 2 years. My big black Birkin was always at my side but I have to admit, it's a very heavy bag. Especially when it leaves you the space for loads of stuff and crap. The bigger the bag - the havier the load of crap will be.

Have to admit - a Birkin gives you free entrance and acces to lots of stuff. People do judge you by your bag. Sloppy jeans and old coat don't matter ; you have THE bag on your arm. It's like a VIP backstage pass.

Sounds surreal ? Well it's true.

Now, the new bag I have on my mind, is on the market for a while. It's a winner.

There's a possibility I don't get the chance to get 1. Apparently Fendi has a listing - almost like the Birkin bag.

We'll see... I'll just leave you with some yummie Peek-a-boo bag pictures. What's you favourite colour ?

She was here

A couple of months ago, there was a lot of commotion when it was said Gaga would be posing for Mario Testino on a secret location here in Antwerp.

Soon the word spread via Twitter the shoot was actually in that part of town where I live.

In fact, it was just across my house. I live in the South area and every day I enjoy the magnificant view of the Museum of Ancient Arts. Some of my oldest fellow bloggers here already know this, as they have seen many pics of me in front of it.

I was very eager to see what the pics would look like and today I recognized a chair and the mosaïc floor of our beloved museum...

I'm happy to say Lady Gaga was my neighbour for (just) one day !

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.