A taste of big city glamour

Start your day with a taste of big city glamour in the newest coffee mugs and cups collection by Villeroy & Boch. The new wave Cities of the World cafè collection features 8 big cities: New York, London, Rome, Berlin, Sydney, Tokyo, Paris and Rio de Janeiro.

Imagine yourself in the coffee at the Copacabana in Rio, at the Opera House in Sydney, the Tower in Tokyo or in Central Park in New York and experience the vibrancy of these cities on the decorative cups and practical snacks scales . Each big city has at least 3 different illustrations in the colours that represent them best: yellow for New York, red for Tokyo or blue for Sydney.

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• Teatime

Fireflies trolley bags

Yesterday I went to Amsterdam for a business meeting at one of my favourite places in the city: the Conservatorium Hotel. But before I even entered, I came to an abrupt halt, and took 3 steps back. Why? Because something red caught my eye in their window display. It was a big, vibrant red, leather bag. It was love at first sight.

The bag is by Dutch brand Fireflies Amsterdam, and is a leather trolley bag. It is 50x30x60 cm (overhead compartment proof). They call it the Rhubarb Red. What I love about the bag is that it’s versatile. While travelling for business (or pleasure) it is a stylish statement piece, and in the weekends or during the week you can use it as a shopping bag or to carry your paperwork to the office.

The bag comes in 5 different colours (emerald green, ice blue, black, grey, rhubarb red) and is made of the finest Italian leather in a small village in Italy. The Maxi Flex technology pull bar is a lightweight, flexible pull bar that is extra long to suit all travellers. There are plenty compartments: 8 to be exact: an outside zipped compartment for travel docs, sunglasses, newspaper or magazine, and inside a shock resistant laptop compartment, 2 leather mobile device and pen compartments, 2 zipped compartments, business card holder, clutch or wallet compartment. Prize: €999

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Weekend tip: Go see the Great Gatsby

Yesterday I went to the premiere of the most anticipated movie of the year:  The Great Gatsby. I had great expectations of this movie as it was hyped in all magazines, websites and tv shows. And as an American Studies graduate, I just couldn’t wait to see this adaption of the American classic novel. So here’s my verdict:

The Great Gatsby is a must-see, but not for the plot, acting or directing. It’s a must-see for the dazzling production: stunning costumes, detailed interior design, and beautiful scenery. [continue reading after the video]

–

What was not so great

I didn’t like the characters, they were flat and portrayed as superficial. There are just a handful of scenes where you can sense the roaring twenties and can indulge in the frenzy of the Jazz Age world. The classic story got a modern adaption, and I don’t mind that, but dancing on Kanye West and Jay Z music went a bit too far for my taste. I also didn’t get the value of making it a 3D version. The scenes and camera angles were changing fast enough in itself without the exaggerating effects the 3D created.

But let’s talk happy things…

What was great

Great fashion – Tiffany’s jewelry, glitz and glam fashion and lavish luxury accessories. The movie is truly about excessive glamour, opulence, and glitter. The costuming captures the nouveau riche in the roaring 20s perfectly. Muiccia Prada is responsible for 40 costumes in the film. Tiffany & Co. designed the stunning collection of platinum-set diamonds and pearls  for the film. And Helen Moore has created faux fur collars to give Twenties-inspired outfits a modern twist. More is more in this movie, and I’m sure this movie will set the agenda for our own fashion designs the coming seasons.

Great decor – I also loved the decor and details in interior design. In the Architectural Digest I read: “Catherine Martin oversaw 42 individual sets created in and around Sydney, both on location and on soundstages. It took her team 14 weeks just to build, paint, and decorate Gatsby’s mansion, which called for a grand ballroom, library, master bedroom, entrance hall, and terrace, as well as a garden. Designs for the residence were based on the great early-20th-century houses of Long Island’s North Shore—places like Oheka Castle, La Selva, and Beacon Towers.”

Great cars – Although a few of the cars in the movie were computer generated and added in in post-production, one car was real: the yellow Rolls Roys. The movie is chock full of shiny old-timers with their perky headlights and broad leather seats. In those days a symbol of the American Dream, now something to drool over in the Great Gatsby.

How to design your bespoke Nikes with Liberty London prints

Summer is knocking on our doors so time to break into a sweat, both literally and figuratively. Extra visits to the gym, and power walks outside require decent sneakers. I’m a loyal Nike customer and my current crush is the latest Nike Liberty London collection. In 2009 and last year Nike already teamed up with Liberty London to create a limited edition collection featuring the renowned floral prints (read my blog post about that here). This year they went even bigger. You can design and customize your own sneakers into a personal statement piece on the Nike ID website. Watch my own 5 minute tutorial explaining how you can transform your favourite iconic Nike shoe into a bespoke Liberty London sports shoe.  It’s all in the details! (the video is also viewable on channel 30smagazine LIVE on YouTube)

3 glam coffee table books for fashion devotees

Expand your glam coffee table collection with the newest three books in fashion and design:

1. Paris Street Style: A guide to effortlessly chic

French fashion bloggers Isabelle Thomas and Frédérique Veysset break down the “je ne sais quoi” of Paris street style, describing the essential elements that should be in everyone’s wardrobe. The fashion guide discusses styles of timeless glamour, careless, easy chic and street style and is chock full of illustrations and photos.

2. C.Z. Guest American Style Icon

Watch the video (1.55 min) where author Susanna Salk shares content and the background of her new book C.Z. Guest American Style Icon

3. Diana von Furstenberg and the tale of the empress new clothes

This book by Camilla Morton is a modern take on a fairy tale. In the book, Diana von Furstenberg rescues a royal fashion designer by introducing her legendary wrap dress.  The story is set against New York City and blends fashion with fiction. The book intertwines two plots: one tells Diane’s story, from meeting her prince to her very first fashion show to the invention of her iconic wrap dress. The second is a reworking of The Emperor’s New Clothes, in which a fashion-crazed empress seeking the affection of her father enlists the help of two con artists masquerading as designers.It’s a story about giving women confidence, which is what I have always tried to do in my work – says von Furstenberg.

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Shoes on the table

Embrace summer with Mi Moneda

I love the new additions to the Mi Moneda collection. Mi Moneda is a Dutch brand that is internationally renowned and extremely popular amongst celebrities. Last year I already wrote an article about the necklaces you can customize, mix and match. (read here) The concept of this glamourous yet wearable brand is that you create your own jewelry with pendants, coins and different materials. The combinations are endless. There are over one hundred varieties.  And now they also have calf leather bracelets where you can switch the tiny coin to your own liking. The latest collection is inspired by the beauty of the sea and beach, and by the glamour of Cannes and Monaco. (continue reading after photo)

The interchangeable Cambio bracelet features a XS Moneda and can be perfectly matched with the Mi Moneda ring and necklace. You can wear the XS Moneda’s in the rings as well as in the bracelets. Imagine the endless style combinations. This lamb leather bracelet is available in the colors Orange, Brown and Caramel from € 40, -.

I also love the Summer Shells line. Imagine yourself on a tropical island with the Oceano, the Raya and Roto, made ​​of natural shell material. The handmade Oceano has a special shrub motive and comes in three pastel shades; Mint, White and Blue Ice. The Raya, made ​​from the outside of the Nautilus shell, has a 3D effect that makes the special shell an eye catcher into its own. The Roto, made ​​of crushed shell comes in the colors cream and peach.

For more info, or to create your own visit the website or one of their international sales points.

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• Tirisi Moda bracelets

Go tribal with Holst + Lee jewelry

I’m currently coveting the jewelry from Holst + Lee.  Holst + Lee is a New York City based fashion collaboration between designers Natalie Holst and Rochelle Lee. Their jewelry is inspired by different people, places and cultures. I like the mixture of colours and materials. The designs have a tribal feel to them yet with a certain sophisticated flair. Watch the video below to get the story behind this interesting brand and their designs. You can find a store near you here or buy them online.

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Follow your passion: Valerie Parisius makes non-traditional  jewelry

Happy Mothers Day

30s Magazine wishes all mothers a happy mothers day!

Piet Paris exhibition

Piet Paris is considered one of the most important fashion illustrators of the era. His recognizable style can be seen in international magazines and companies all over the world. Paris created illustrations and (window) displays for the American department-store Saks Fifth Avenue as well as the décor for Viktor & Rolf’s fashion show. Paris’ illustrations regularly appear in magazines like Vogue, Elle and W Korea. His work has been included in important books about fashion illustration. [continue after photo]

From May 12 till August 8, you can visit The Chambres of Piet Paris at the Museum of Modern Art in Arnhem. The exhibition  focuses on Paris’ work methods and design process. His archive – Paris has been active in the profession for 25 years – forms the core of the exhibition, which Piet Paris has designed himself. Piet Paris has selected over 75 works that he has produced for magazines and corporate clients all around the globe. There is also plenty of new work on show. Participants in the exhibition include Prada, Marni, Thom Browne, Viktor & Rolf and many others.

ArtEZ Press will also publish a monograph to accompany the exhibition, and there will be an educational program for both young and old. For more information visit the website here. Watch the video of Piet Paris opening his exhibition and giving us a sneek peak in his chambres (in Dutch, 6 min):

Weekendtip: Blossom tour

Each year in spring I plan a walking or bike tour to enjoy the blossoming trees. Last year I blogged about the walking tour I created myself of 10 km, starting at Estate Landgoed Marienwaerdt in Beesd. But there are so many tours and areas in the Netherlands. The Betuwe is extensive, and the perfect area with all the fruit orchards. In our most southern province Limburg you can also walk or cycle a route with mostly tall fruit trees. And best is to tour in Belgium in the area of Hasselt which is only a two and a half hour drive. So here is my top 3 with links to more info:

1. Betuwe, Netherlands - http://bloesem.info/
2. Limburg, Netherlands - http://tinyurl.com/cwepn5g
3. Haspengouw, Belgium - http://www.toerisme-sint-truiden.be/Bloesemfeesten.html

Unfortunately, this year I didn’t have time to travel to the Betuwe or the south on the days it was sunny and warm. So instead I planned a cycling tour in my own area and the city Leiden to enjoy the blossoming trees. Naturally it’s not the same in a city compared to the outskirts and farm land, but if you do it on a Sunday it’s peaceful enough. And there were plenty of blossoming trees! Have a look:

You might also like: 

• Japanese garden at Clingendael
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• Weekendtip: Pick your own Tulips

Turkish breakfast

Today it’s ascension day, a holiday in the Netherlands. So I’m taking it easy and just going to read a good book on my made over balcony. I started the day with a scrumptious Turkish breakfast. Olives, sheep cheese, almonds, Turkish lamb sausages, thyme bread, dragon fruit and avocado. The cheese is delicious if you top it with grapes and honey.

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• Delightful dimanche
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Tulip picking continued

Last week I wrote about picking your own tulips at the tulip farm (read here). I got some requests from readers who wanted to see my tulips arranged in a vase and how they are blooming in my home. It’s almost a week ago I got them, and they are still gorgeous. It shows that you can’t beat fresh flowers right from the land. So here goes:

Extend your living space to the balcony

The best thing about summer is eating outside. I love to have breakfast on my balcony. This year I decided to have a small balcony makeover. I’ve been living in my home for 12 years now, and figured it was time for a change of atmosphere outside. I wanted to extend my living space to my balcony and make it more comfortable for lounging and eating.

First I started creating a moodboard on Pinterest with examples of balconies that I liked. The pictures inspired me to look for a bench that would fit horizontally so I could create a small lounge corner, and to use more colour, texture and pattern with a rug and pillows. It’s the perfect nook to curl up with a magazine and a warm throw in the evenings. You can get an array of colours and patterns of the synthetic fiber rug at Hema or Loods 5

A white serving tray on a stool serves as a table. I’ve added votives for tea lights so I can also sit outside during twilight.

 

I painted a few of my pots white to pull it all together and create a coherent colour scheme.

I also painted an old crate white and used it as a platform to diversify in heights.

I just love to grow my own vegetables and herbs to cook with. By grouping my herbs together I create rest. The ceramic plant markers I bought last year (read about them here) are functional and aesthetic.

How to be an explorer of the world

Whenever I go into the city of Leiden, I always pop into the Museum shops to see if they have anything new, because I love ethnic accessories and travel books. During my last visit I discovered a great book. Although it’s not new – it was published in 2008 – I had never seen it before. How to be an explorer of the world: portable life museum by Kerri Smith is a fun, interactive guide  for exploring and documenting the art and science of travels and everyday life. Smith encourages people to observe the world around them as if they’ve never seen it before, take notes, and focus on one thing at a time.

The book encourages you to be creative with the simple things around you and draw joy and memories from that. It also  inspires to find memories in ordinary things. One tip that I loved is: if you are traveling, take a notebook with you, and document the colours of the country/culture by mixing its natural objects with some water and using it as paint in your notebook together with natural pieces e.g. mud, sand, leaves, spices, shells, stones, wooden pieces. This is such a great idea! I wish I had read this earlier. I would have had a gorgeous notebook by now.

You might also like:

• Sibella Court books

The iconic Cambridge bag

I vividly remember my big brown leather school bag. In the Netherlands it was the typical bag of all 7th graders (in Dutch: brugpiepers/brugklassers).  Because as you got older, it wasn’t cool anymore and everyone switched to a backpack. Who would have thought that 25 years later, I would buy a modern version of it? Yes, I also have the iconic Cambridge satchel: A classic bag with a modern twist.

my 11 inch, honeysuckle satchel from the Chelsea Collection

It’s been a huge hype for quite some time now, with waiting lists and all. The bag that was supposed to be a fun school bag for the designer’s daughter, grew out to be a fashion accessory for adults. Instead of being just a school bag, it’s now showing up on catwalks and on the hips of celebrities. A real success story of a mom who started from home with a budget of only £600. Watch the video and then scroll down to read on.

The leather bag has a simple design, and comes in 3 different sizes 11, 13 and 15 inch, and in an array of colours: Fluorescents, pastels, classic colours, and duo tones. And to make it even better, you can have your name or initials embossed on it. The Chelsea Collection is my favourite, consisting of a pastel colour palette which is inspired by the quintessentially British Chelsea Flower Show and flowers which blossom throughout the spring and summer months.  Crocus Cream Beauty, Honeysuckle, Lavender and Sweet Pea. I already ordered the sweet pea with golden embossing.

The 13 inch is large enough to hold your iPad, or a small laptop, and the 15 inch is perfect for work to carry your folders and paperwork. Wear it cross-body or tuck in the handle and use it as a clutch. For spring/summer 2013 Cambridge teamed up with designer Chris Benz to create a 9 inch model. Visit the website to order yours, or find a store near you that doesn’t have a waiting list (good luck!)

Bring out the Barbecue!

Temperatures are rising, and spring is officially here. It was about time! Time to bring out the barbecue. I found an amazing one that is compact, portable, versatile, colourful, and functional. What else can a girl wish for? It’s called the Cobb and it’s smokin’ hot. The design is from South Africa, where they are known for their barbecues  The Cobb Premier and Pro work on both charcoal and on a special Cobb cobble stone. What I like about it, is that it remains cool on the outside. You can also extend your model with extra accessories to stir-fry, bake, or just cook, so it’s more than the ordinary grill. Naturally I go for pink, but they also have other colours.

Watch the video or visit their website and YouTube Channel to learn more.

Weekend tip: Pick your own tulips

The weather is gorgeous today and it’ll be like this all weekend they say. So let’s go outdoors! Today I went to Annemiekes Pluktuin in Hillegom. It is a pick your own flower farm. You might remember my blogpost from last summer when I went there to pick my own summer flowers (read here). In spring I always go there to pick my own fresh tulips. Sometimes I’m a feet in the mud, and get my hands dirty kind of gal. They grow them in all colours and kinds you can hardly get at flower shops, like e.g. the parrot tulip. You can pick blooming ones or the ones that are still closed.

Combine your trip with a ride through the many tulip fields in Lisse and Hillegom, or visit nearby De Keukenhof. Haarlem is also nearby so you can also combine it with a shopping spree. Holland is really at its best in spring!

And this is my loot of tulips. I picked a bunch that is already open and a bunch that are still closed to experience all stages. Imagine how colourful my home will be!

Trend: Worldly Wallpaper for Kids rooms

You are never too young to travel. A trend going strong for quite some time now in interior design is the travel trend. It started with globes and now it is also hitting the walls. You can plaster complete cityscapes on your child’s wall mimicking a trip around the world. I especially like the new collection by Coordonne, but also like Room Seven. They give the room a spacious and fun vibe.

Shop the Royal Style at Petit Chic

Were you also in awe of the many stunning dresses at yesterday’s inauguration of the Dutch King?  I was plastered to my TV screen to not miss a moment of the parade of gowns strutting by. Big surprise of the day were the yellow princess’ dresses by Spanish brand Pili Carrera, which complete collection is exclusively sold in the Netherlands at webshop Petitchic.com. The web boutique Petit Chic has been a favourite of mine for over a year now, and I featured their high end designs and their Pili Carrera collection in previous blog posts (read e.g.  here, or here). Queen Maxima must have read my blog (let’s pretend she did) because on April 25th 2012 I published this article: “Pili Carrera: for your little princess“.  And now it seems Queen Maxima is also a fan of the brand, as all three princesses were elegantly dressed in these Spanish designs, not once, but twice this week! (continue reading after the photo)

At the church rehearsal on Monday the princesses were also dressed in Pili Carrera outfits from the new summer collection. We also saw a lot of cobalt blue, a colour trend that seems to be on the rise. We found several designs in cobalt in the Petit Chic boutique collection as well. Petit Chic ships internationally and is currently working on an English website. The Dutch web shop is very user friendly, making it already easily accessible to international shoppers. So shop your regal look, and don’t forget to wave!

Related Links:

• Pili Carrera for your little princess
• 6 Easter outfits for a mademoiselle
• Petit Chic: Mediterranean brands for Fashion forward kids
• Seasonal Colours stand out in Simonetta girls wear

10 Trends to look for at the Fleamarket

Happy Queen’s day and abdication day to all my Dutch readers! Today is a national holiday in the Netherlands and traditionally this day also marks the one day in the year that there’s a nationwide vrijmarkt (“free market”), at which many Dutch sell their secondhand items. Everyone is allowed to display their stuff on a table or rug in the city centers across the country or in designated parks. The saying “your trash is my treasure” prevails today.

So what should you look for and how do you distinguish the real treasures? I like to find accessories that are on trend and on the rise in value. Here are my favourite trends to score at the flea market:

1. Apothecary bottles

Apothecary bottles are trending as a styling accessory. Group them together as a focal point, or use them as small vases or for storage in the kitchen or bathroom.

2. Typewriters

I inherited my typewriter from my dad, and it fits in perfectly with the rest of my interior. It’s also representative for my journalistic background. I learned to type on that thing. So for me, the typewriter has emotional and historical value. That it happens to be a trend is an extra plus. I guess our generation likes to hold on to the things we had that were still pure and hands on.

3. West German pottery

They come in all colours, shapes and sizes. The solid West Germany vases. I have a modern-looking cobalt blue one, a grey and a mint one, but if you’re bold and don’t mind a bit of quirkiness in your home, go orange by all means! Read my blog post about their history, value, and the trend here.

4. Botanical prints

Earlier this week I already reported on the trend. You can read it here

5. Vintage suitcases

Vintage suitcases are perfect to store your stuff in an aesthetic way. You can pile them or use them as a side table or nightstand. Read my blog post 7 ways to decorate with trunks to get more ideas.

6. Vintage perfume atomizers

Add a little sophistication to your dressing table with a stunning vintage perfume atomizer. I recently bought one at a flea market which originates from the Caithness Glass factory in Scotland. Ask about its history so you’ll know its story to make it extra special.

7. Framed butterflies

8. Enamel cooking ware

Although my enamel pots and pans are store bought and new, the authentic ones are just as good, maybe even better. Read all about enamel cooking ware in my blog post “Cooking just got Sweeter“

9. Vintage China

Your grandmother’s china is hot and happening. You can use them for tea, but I also use them as votives, vase, or planter for bulbs.

10. Copper

Read all bout the copper trend in my blog post “4 Ways to buff up your interior with copper” or get inspired by my blog post about Tom Dixon’s copper designs before you go out to find your copper treasure.

Would you rather shop these trends online? I know two great web shops who curate the best vintage things and sell them online. Shop at my friend Rianne’s web shop Diversitijd. She has a wide range of 70′s products. Or try VonLiving, another lovely web shop.

Photo sources:

• apothecary bottles
• West Germany vases grouped
• botanical prints
• ladder with copper pans
• All other photos are ©L. de Miranda/30s Magazine

Get ready for Queen’s Day and the abdication

The countdown to Queen’s day is in full swing. Tomorrow is a very special day in the Netherlands. For the past 33 years we celebrated our queen’s birthday annually on April 30, as the national holiday called Queen’s Day. But earlier this year our queen announced that this year’s holiday will also mark the day of her abdication. Her son Prince Willem-Alexander will succeed her, and as of next year we will have an annual King’s Day on April 27th, his birthday. So this year’s queen’s day is also the last. Our national colour is orange, something you can’t ignore because everyone dresses in orange, eats orange food, and decorates their homes and shops in orange.

So let’s talk orange and get some last-minute orange wanna-haves for this historical day.

dress – Michael Kors  | wedges shoes – Nine West | handbag – Furla | straw hat – de Bijenkorf | pillow – Mariska Meijers | tea pot – De Porceleyne Fles via de Bijenkorf | pompom – Lang zal ze Leven | button hook – HK Living | crown – Seletti

Raspberry, lime, and coconut milk creams

When the sun comes out I always start craving summer fruit. On Saturdays I go to the farmers market right across my home to get the best and sweetest strawberries and raspberries I know. They always offer two for a cheaper price, so I get two, and use half for a dessert. In the book La Tartine Gourmande by Beatrice Peltre (read my review here) I found an easy recipe that didn’t require me to go grocery shopping. I had all ingredients in my kitchen cabinet and fridge.

It’s a tangy cream of coconut milk and lime. The sweet raspberries balance the flavour of the zest. I was amazed how quickly you can prepare this, and how flavoursome and delightful it was. It’s a flan with a twist and it tastes like summer…something that can’t come soon enough. (scroll down for the recipe)

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 4 small glasses or ramekins
• unsalted butter, for the glasses/ramekins
• 200 gr raspberries
• 2 large eggs
• 80 gr cane sugar
• juice and finely grated zest of 1 organic lime
• 1,5 tbsp butter, melted
• 235 ml unsweetened coconut milk
• 2 tbsp almond meal
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (I didn’t include this)

Directions

• Preheat oven to 180°C
• Butter the 4 glasses or ramekins and arrange 2/3 of the raspberries in the bottoms of them
• In a bowl, beat the egg with the sugar until well incorporated
• Stir in the lime juice and zest, melted butter and coconut milk
• Beat in the almond meal and corn starch
• Divide the cream among the glasses and add the rest of the raspberries
• Place the creams in the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until the flan is set
• Let cool and serve on room temperature

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Rice pudding with stewed strawberries

Celebrate spring with a Japanese Cherry Blossom Cheesecake

Trend: Botanical prints

Botanical prints like ferns and palm leafs are super hot this season. The trend extends to everything from curtains, lamp shades, pillows to seat covers.  I noticed that the different green hues are mostly combined with walnut wooden furniture. This gives it a bit of retro feel. At Zara Home they have a fresh, Asian inspired collection boasting some great botanical print pieces.  There they paired it with white and bamboo, which creates a tropical feel to your space.

A few weeks ago Ikea introduced their Stockholm collection including a comfortable chair in a fern-print finish.

An alternative to the  fabrics is incorporating the trend with vintage prints.  They look like old encyclopedic pages, which they sometimes are. You can tear out prints out of old books and frame them, or you can try a flea market or rummage brocante and vintage stores. I think it adds character when the prints are showing the test of times, but for those of you who don’t, Ikea and a few other contemporary brands have caught on to the trend and are now also selling posters like these.

If you’re really a fan of green, and don’t fear to get tired of this trend, you are in luck. The botanical trend extends to wallpapers too. Paired with white it gives your space an airy feel, even in winter.

We also see other botanicals than green leafs in interior design. Blown up wild flowers adorn room screens, posters and vintage pre-school biology maps.  The prints add colour and texture to a room and are a perfect replacement for real plants. They add live to a space in a one-dimensional way.

Photo sources:

• http://www.wonenonline.nl/interieur-inrichten//12/interieurstoffen-harlequin-folia.html
• http://www.zarahome.com
• http://www.sanderson-uk.com/painters-garden-fabric.aspx
• http://trend-daily.blogspot.com
• http://www.ikea.com
• http://interieurblog.villadesta.nl/2011/11/trend-alert-botanische-prints.html
• http://www.housetohome.co.uk/articles/3-ways-to-show-off-your-prized-possessions_3_401085.html
• http://www.sandbergab.se/en/products/wallpaper/Ginkgo/sort/texture/5
• http://www.lonnymag.com.au
• http://trend-daily.blogspot.com
• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-2260669/Interiors-Just-good-fronds.html

Let’s cut it short

Chopping boards,  or bread boards come in all sizes and shapes nowadays. You can either use them to prepare and cut your produce and bread, or you can use it as a plate for breakfast or platter for cheese and tapas at night. You can even use them as a serving tray. The possibilities are endlessly as are the shapes. Here are a few that caught my eye…

bunny, cupcake, and label are available at http://www.hopandpeck.co.uk

button, bear and cloud are available at http://www.buitendelijntjesshop.com

2 leafs are available at http://www.uniqueandunity.co.uk/

fish is available at http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/

Feel like a Greek Goddess with Korres

I don’t experiment with beauty products very often, I’m very brand loyal. But I’m so happy I tried the all-natural, homeopathic, Greek brand Korres. For the past four months I’ve been using the Korres vanilla-plum shower gel, and the pomegranate cleansing mask. Both products were great investments. Korres is a Greek brand with a not so long history, but an interesting one indeed:

Founder George Korres, joined the team of the oldest and first homeopathic pharmacy Tzivanides in 1989 while still studying Pharmacology at the University of Athens. He was soon overwhelmed by the power of natural ingredients and homeopathy and driven by his own passion and deep understanding of herbs, George envisaged the development of a natural skincare line. In 1992 he was entrusted with the management of the pharmacy, and started to develop formulas with herbal and natural ingredients. Four years later the brand Korres was born, with a clear philosophy and engaging motto: developing products that are affordable for everyday use yet of interesting aesthetics that can ‘inspire & make us happy.’

The packaging of Korres is simple and sleek stating every detail of the substance and packaging. After sniffing at all different shower gels, I decided to go with the vanille-plum because it has a soft, spring like fragrance and is not overpowering. Yet there were many other fragrances that appealed to me just as much like e.g. Fig, Guava, Basil Lemon or the Jasmine. After using Korres you will leave the shower feeling invigourated with a soft and lightly scented skin.

The pomegranate cleansing mask leaves my face feeling fresh, hydrated, clean, and rejuvenated. It easily removes any make-up and impurities. And the scent is so lovely! In the Netherlands Korres is exclusively available at Cosmania in Amsterdam. Cosmania also has a web shop. Visit the Korres website to swoon over the many products and fragrances available, or to read more about their intriguing history and philosophy.

Dress the part with Etniks heritage prints

I’m so excited about these new postcards and posters I discovered! The brand is called Etniks, and the message of this concept really resonates with me. Etniks produces postcards and large prints depicting cute and quirky illustrations of different ethnic people in their traditional or current dress. Due to globalization and modernization a lot of us dress similar, and our cultural heritage is visually lost. Etniks strives to celebrate the traditional dresses and cultural backgrounds, and also attempts to make us more aware of, and educate us about, different cultures.

When you buy a card or print, you’ll find a link on the back that takes you to their website. On the website you can look up your print to find out more about the culture, the country and the dress. Naturally I bought a print of a Surinamese woman, since both my parents are from Surinam. I put it next to my Surinamese stamp collection. [continue reading after photo]

This is what the website says about my ‘Koto Missie’: Surinamese Creole people are the inhabitants of Suriname with one or more ancestors of Black African descent. The Surinamese Creole culture is a fusion of various African cultures with indigenous and European influences. The traditional garment of the Creoles in Suriname, the koto with the anjisa (in special way tied headscarf). This costume is still worn on festive occasions.

Especially for the abdication of the Dutch queen on April 30th, Etniks has also designed three limited edition prints of the queen, prince and princess. To shop your own, visit the website here listing stores in the Netherlands and web shops.

Celebrate spring with a Japanese Cherry Blossom Cheesecake

Spring has finally sprung. Trees are showing buds and there is even some blossom in a few trees. Did you know that in Japan and Washington DC they celebrate the blossom season with festivities and picnics? Both are on my bucket list to experience since I am obsessed with blossom. Especially Japan is a renowned destination for blossom tourism. The so-called Sakura season is one of the highlights of the year in Japan when Japanese families gather in parks to view the blossoming trees and share food and good conversation. This tradition is called Hanami.

Inspired by Sakura and Hanami I decided to have my own little spring celebration by baking a Japanese Cherry Blossom Cheesecake. The recipe is from the newly published book Cheesecakes by Hannah Miles, published by Ryland Peters & Small. In the original recipe you also get to decorate the cake with chocolate branches and sugar flowers, but I chose not to, just because I don’t like to do fine needlework. Feast your eyes on the cake and imagine the flavours of sweetened green tea, and fresh cherries, and then scroll down for the recipe. This is something you would want to try!

 

I think this is the ultimate recipe for spring and therefore I’m submitting it to the Junglefrog Cooking Spring Challenge. Here’s the recipe:

FOR THE CAKE

55 g/4 tablespoons butter, softened

55 g/1⁄4 cup caster/white sugar

1 egg

2 teaspoons matcha powder

1 generous tablespoon crème fraîche

55 g/scant ½ cup self-raising flour, sifted

FOR THE FILLING

4 sheets leaf gelatine

200 g/scant 1 cup cream cheese

250 g/generous 1 cup ricotta

1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

100 g/½ cup caster/white sugar

150 ml/2⁄3 cup double/heavy cream

400 g/1½–2 cups cherry compôte

FOR THE DECORATION

30 g/1 oz. dark chocolate, melted

sugar flowers

a 23-cm/9-inch round springform cake pan, greased and lined

a piping bag fitted with a small round nozzle/tip

SERVES 12

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) Gas 4.

For the cake base, whisk together the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Add the egg and beat again. Dissolve the matcha powder in 1 tablespoon hot water and add to the cake mixture along with the crème fraîche. Sift the flour over the mixture and fold in so that everything is incorporated. Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes until the cake is golden brown and springs back when pressed gently in the centre. Leave to cool in the pan.

For the filling, soak the gelatine leaves in water until they are soft.  In a large mixing bowl, whisk the cream cheese, ricotta, vanilla and sugar together until light and creamy.

Put the cream in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water and heat gently. Squeeze the water out of the gelatine leaves and add them to the warm cream, stirring until dissolved. Pass the cream through a sieve/strainer to remove any undissolved gelatine pieces, then whisk into the cheese mixture.

Blitz the cherry compôte in a blender or food processor to make a smooth purée. Spread one third of the cherry purée over the cake base, leaving a small gap around the edge of the cake. Fold the remaining cherry purée into the cheesecake mixture, stopping before it is fully incorporated to make a pretty swirled pattern. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the base and smooth level, then leave to set in the refrigerator for 3 hours or overnight.

To decorate, spoon the melted chocolate into the piping bag and pipe delicate chocolate branches on top of the cheesecake. Fix sugar flowers to the branches using a little extra chocolate so that they look like cherry blossom branches.

6 Ways to Go Green à la Mode

Today is Earth Day. Climate change is one of our biggest and pressing challenges, and the Earth Day organization, inspires, educates and moves us to do something about it, individually and as a community. Small things matter, and when I got to think of it, I contribute to a better ecological lifestyle on a daily base. Moreover, you can go green without making any concessions on your style. Nowadays, there are so many cool and hip brands that are smart and aesthetic yet organic and eco-friendly. One shop I frequently visit for organic products is http://www.bewustgoed-winkel.nl/ Here are six products I use daily which are green and fashion forward:

1. Pukka tea - Pukka tea blends are in balance with nature, using herbs from fair trade, and sustainable sources. You can taste the difference!
2. Figs & Rouge Lip Balm - Figs & Rouge lip balm is 100% pure and natural. It provides an intense and delicious moisture boost.
3. Envirosax bag - Envirosax designer reusable bags are spreading the eco-friendly message with style! Who needs a plastic bag if you’ve got an Envirosax?
4. Water Bobble - Read my blog post about the water bobble, a re-usuable bottle with a filter
5. Hip and Hippie scented candle – Read my blog post about this recyclable and reusable candle wrapped with seeded paper, that grows wildflowers in a reusable container.
6. Keep Leaf lunch bag - Insulated lunch bag made from 100% Organic cotton canvas. Read my blog post about it here.

 

Collective Creativity in the Furla Candy Cool Tour

Those who know me well, know that I have a huge collection of bags and purses, more notably Furla bags and purses. The Italian design brand appeals to me because of its innovative designs, by mixing classic shapes and materials with unusual materials, or by mismatching different materials and textures into a coherent and fresh new look. But I also like their more classic models which are timeless and elegant. Topping the Furla models charts for the past few years is the Candy Bag. (read my previous blog post about the candy bag here)

Earlier this week, my favourite brand launched the Candy Cool Tour. The Candy Cool Tour is a talent scouting initiative featuring the Candy Bag top handle bag. The Italian company is introducing a collective creativity project, or crowd sourcing project as you may also call it,  involving the most interesting young talents in the world to reinterpret the iconic bag. The project is developed with the creation of mini creative teams and through different stages: the first stop was Japan, and will be followed by Hong Kong, China and Korea, America and Europe. Each team will pass the results of their creativity to the next team, thus sparking new ideas and gradually creating a collection of Candy Bags that are entirely unique and unpredictable, expressing local cultures.

This new and exciting adventure plays to the trends we are seeing: Customizing things and crowdsourcing. Furla believes that creativity is combining things that have never been blended before. That’s what makes things edgy. It’s about trying something new and different.

In the final stage the baton is passed to Furla’s designers who, on the base of the Candy bags created, will develop an exclusive Limited Edition which will be presented at Milan Fashion Week in February 2014.

The first creative team is based in Tokyo, Japan. It is composed by: the nailist and illustrator Nagisa Tsukushima, the food designer Rotary Parker, creator of tiny cookies that transform into jewelry, and the Nishijin Textile centre, specializing in kimono silk. Filling the role of team leader is trendsetter and blogger Misha Janette, who, along with Sayumi Gunji – creative director of Vogue Girl Japan, collaborated in selecting the most interesting creative minds on the Japanese scene. Watch the video:

Furla – Candycool Tokyo from Collateral WEB on Vimeo.

Snurk makes Kids’ Dreams come True

If you’re having trouble getting your kids to bed, this might shift things. Dutch brand ‘Snurk‘ has  fun bedding designs for kids that’ll make their dreams come true. Sleep like an astronaut or princess under the trompe d’oeuil duvet covers.  All designs are produced in Europe and are of high quallity cotton. Snurk is available at department store De Bijenkorf, or at many web shops like e.g. Gosto Design.