30s Magazine

It has been a few weeks since my last Amsterdam shopping guide. In my first two shopping guides I highlighted neighbourhood De Pijp. Today, and the coming days I will share with you my favourite shops and eateries in the Old South of Amsterdam. Although Old South is often referred to as posh and decadent, there are plenty of shops that are quite the opposite. And yes, I do like a bit of luxury as well. The Old South has been my personal shopping destination ever since 2008 when I had my office there in the Apollolaan and would pop out for lunch or a creative break. I love that it’s quiet, green and still feels like an old small town neighbourhood. A lot of new shops have been added since then making it even more fun to shop. For me it feels like coming home. So let’s get started!

Bee Beauty

For all your organic beauty products you go to Bee Beauty. Here’s where I get my Apivita facial creams and my organic deodorant. All products and brands are pure and without any chemicals. The owner curates all products on ingredients and reliability, so you can trust that it is all fair. There is also a spa where you can get pampered or treated for health benefits with the organic beauty range. They also carry organic make-up, natural scented candles, and baby and children assortments. Bee Beauty sells brands like: Apivita, Dr Baumann, Figs & Rouge, Lavera, Madara and Pandhy’s. Going over budget actually feels good here! – Roelof Hartstraat 58

De Bakkerswinkel

For a cozy lunch, a lavish high tea or just a cuppa, you go to De Bakkerswinkel. It’s one of my favourite high tea places. They serve the best scones with clotted cream, fingerlicking quiches, and I just love the atmosphere. It’s also where you get your bread to go if you don’t have time to sit down. Unfortunately taking photographs inside is not permitted so I guess you just have to take my word for it. – Roelof Hartstraat 68

Zuiderziel

For exquisite gifts, natural objects like shells, rocks and coral, or for ceramics Zuiderziel is where you would like to go. It’s a gift shop, art studio, and flower shop that mostly sells things that have a soul, a story or a significance. – Roelof Hartstraat 18hs

Vreemde Zaken

Vreemde Zaken, which means “Peculiar Things” is a paradise for anyone who loves to rummage antiques and curiosities. It’s the place for odd things, medical and scientific antiques, natural and ethnographic collectibles, antlers, vintage accessories, tribal objects and other oddities and curiosities. – Roelof Hartstraat 30

The Conservatorium Hotel

The Conservatorium Hotel is one of the hotels I visit just to have a drink, a walk, or lunch. I’m plain and simple a fan of this hotel. The architecture is breathtaking as is the interior styling. Everything slows down when you enter. And the inside shopping gallery is just to good to skip. Read all about this design gem in the heart of the Museum quarter in my dedicated blog post I wrote last year ‘Hotel to Heart: The Conservatorium Hotel‘.

Skins Cosmetics

One of my shopping addresses I never ever skip when in Amsterdam is Skins. There is one located in the nine streets, another part of the city center, and there is one situated in the inside shopping gallery of the Conservatorium Hotel. Both are equally beautiful and hard to leave empty-handed. Skins carries a huge range of international niche brands in the field of skin care, fragrance and beauty. What distinguishes Skins from other pharmacies and beauty shops is their extensive service and assortment of unique international niche brands. They were the first in the Netherlands to distribute brands such as Diptyque, Dr.Brandt, Creed, Laura Mercier and Ren Skincare. Here’s where I have been buying my eau de toilette E Coudray for years now. And where I recently discovered three great tanning and sunscreen products. From floor to ceiling you are seduced by niche brands and names your mother and grandmother used, alternated with framed butterflies, curiosities and opulent accessories. – Van Baerlestraat 27

Homeland Sissy Boy

Sissy Boy is a concept store or mini department store – whatever you like to call it – chock full of wannahaves. From casual men- and women wear, to interior accessories, stationery, bath and body essentials, and jewelry. There is enough to browse and want. – Van Baerlestraat 15

Other favourites in the Van Baerlestraat are:

Riviera Maison – Van Baerlestraat 2 – A furniture and lifestyle store. Their style is coastal in summer like the French Riviera, Martha’s Vineyard, Florida Keys, Amalfi coast and more rustic in winter think mountain lodge, glamourous ski villa. They sell anything from furniture, to tabletop ware and candles.

Zara Home – Van Baerlestraat 25 – a home concept store with chic and elegant accessories for every space in your home. Glassware, bedding, home wear, table top textiles and candles, it’s all there!

Vanilia – Van Baerlestraat 30 – Contemporary modern women wear boutique, carrying casual chic collections and feminine office attire. Here’s where I shop my business outfits.

Taschen

Taschen is a bookstore like no other. In the most glamourous shoppingstreet of the Netherlands, the P.C. Hooftstraat, time will stop and you will get lost in the many coffee table books, art and fashion collector items, and design, architecture and photography books.