Shopping/ Humanoid

Well now I couldn't go all the way to Arnhem and not visit Humanoid could I? This amazing shop sells all my favourite brands including Acne and Isabel Marant of which I got a super-fluffy blue cardi and a simple white linen Tee. I know it seems silly to buy a warm knit when summer is upon us but honestly, with the low temperatures, wind and occasional snow (just kidding), it feels more like autumn here in the Netherlands!
Humanoid also stocks Aesop, an Australian cosmetics brand which uses plant-based ingredients resulting in some of the most lush smells around. As I will be in Venice all next week the travel kit and Ginger Flight Therapy seemed like a natural choice.

& Other Stories

Seriously excited about this new project by favourite Scandinavian group H&M! Already getting us interested early last year, now the first shops are set to launch this Spring (in Barcelona, Berlin, Copenhagen, London, Milan, Paris and Stockholm). But not to worry! If there is no upscale boutique opening in your area, you might be blessed with a webshop, I know we Dutch will be!

View the & Other Stories tumblr for inspirational clips and images.

Salt Season

After the fashion show last week at Jazz Club Bird, D. and I decided to hang around and peruse the shops which are part of Mini Mall. The former Hofplein train station has undergone a renovation and since 2011 houses a number of great boutiques and cafes. My favourite was Salt Season where you'll find a mix of Scandinavian brands, beautiful leather bags, funny accessories and a hair dresser's! I especially liked the interior of the shop – housed in the characteristic arches – with products presented on oak-wood tables, hanging from the walls and in beatiful cabinets.

New In – Marni for H&M

At long last the Marni for H&M products hit the shops and Internet a few weeks ago and from 9:30 onwards you could see me frantically clicking my multiple Internet tabs trying to get through to the H&M online store. Miraculously I got through just after 10:00 and managed to get everything on my wish list!

I was so happy when the biggest H&M box I'd ever seen arrived, and ever more excited when I started unpacking everything and it all fit! I am especially in love with the pyjama-style shirt which can be worn casual with jeans or matching shorts or chique with black cropped trousers. Both pairs of shoes are very comfortable but after falling flat on my face while wearing the heels (consequently scuffing the leather), and measuring them to be 15cm high (!), I have decided to be a bit careful and not venture out on them without someone to hold on to.
All in all I am delighted with my goodies which seem to a have a somewhat timeless elegance, and vow to wear them lots and lots.

Karl made me do it!

Monday didn't seem like the day I would find (and purchase) one of my ultimate wishlist wants. But the Danie Bles shopping event held at the World Fashion Centre in Amsterdam provided a less-than-healthy vintage overload.

After last week's Marni spree (of which hopefully more this week) I felt pretty saturated clothing wise and had decided to take a break on Spring shopping. Then came an invitation for a shopping event by Dutch stylist Danie Bles, in which she would sell vintage Chanel, Hermès and Louis Vuitton belonging to her (celeb) customers. Well, who am I to say no to that?

So off friend D. and I trotted only to find some of the best-looking vintage I'd seen for ages at affordable prices. Hello said I to a beautiful Jil Sander doctor's bag which didn't leave my arm the entire afternoon. That was, until I met my maker. An early 2000s (vintage? no, but who cares) Chanel jacket. Which fit me.

When Danie herself came up to me to congratulate me on my great purchase, I knew it was meant to be. I decided to nab the bag too, as you can never have too many vintage bags right?

Étranger pop-up shop

 

From 1 until 31 December 2011, Dutch label Étranger (by the Taiwanese Lifu Hsiao) will open a temporary shop on the Prinsengracht 286A in Amsterdam. The capsule shop will sell the entire Spring/Summer 2012 collection inspired by the film ‘Twin Peaks: Fire walk with me’ , in addition to selected items from earlier collections.

Lingerie, T-shirts and an angel form the inspiration for the latest collection which comprises babydoll dresses, feminine T-shirt dresses and a series of spectacular layered dresses.

With prices ranging from €250 for a simple jersey dress to €550 for a layered version, the pieces are an investment. But definitely worth a look if you’re in the 9-straatjes neighbourhood!