about taste and inspiration

Hello 2012

2012-01-04T16:44:00.003+01:00

This was 2011!

A very good year.

Now I am happy to welcome 2012 and see what challenges and fun it will bring.

Best wishes for you & ENJOY!

ps. next to do on my list is: update this blog!

Newyears list

2011-01-02T11:18:00.007+01:00

Photo: razzberry

Happy newyear! I wish you all a great 2011, full of new challenges and beautiful dreams!

This is my list for 2011. I love lists :)

1. Send a handwritten letter to 5 special friends. 2. Elke week een blogje plaatsen (hoe vaak ik mezelf dit al beloofd heb!)

2. Find a new challenge for buroSliM. I'm thinking a big assignment.

3. Give presents for whatever reason!

4. Dress up a little more. Find a good fashion icon and watch and learn . High heals, parfum, fashion, nailpolish, and more.

5. I want glasses! Not that I need one (and I know this sounds a bit arrogant), but I really, really like glasses a lot! Already I've been to a store a couple of times, with the intention to by myself glasses. But everytime I was overruled by the salesguy, because he (it was always a he) didn't want to sell me glasses, cause my eyes don't need them! This year I will get myself some glasses, no matter what!

6. Spend my spare time as quality time. This means less running around like a crazy fool, more structure and more enjoyment.

7. Enjoy Flow magazine longer this year.

8. Collect/share/cherish nice moments and memories.I want to pay some more attention to photo's/memories/funny statements of the boys and collect them in a way that is valuable.

9. Post a blog every week. This is the real challenge!

10. An last but certainly not least. I will give birth this year! A baby, a very welcome little person and we are looking forward to it!

I'm 22 weeks pregnant now, so about time to share!

This will be, without a doubt, the most exciting event of 2011.

Happy to meet you 2011!

Now

2010-12-29T15:10:00.002+01:00

This is now.

And I am making a list of new years resolutions.
What is on your list?

Week 34

2010-08-31T20:59:00.005+02:00

This week, for the first time in my life I saw a real hunebed (that's dutch for dolmen). Years ago (and I mean many years ago) I learned about them at school. And now I finally saw them. These were a kind of sacred buildings the trechterbekervolk build for their diseased. (3500 years ago) I am always impressed by the fact they were able to move those massive rocks.

White party

2010-08-12T20:09:00.003+02:00

A small and intimate party styling. All white and with origami flowers and birds.

Week 17

2010-05-17T09:38:00.007+02:00

COLOUR!

On april 28 I arranged a little trip to Eindhoven. The students of Interior and design of the college I work for was going there for a guided tour through the designhuis. There's this exhibition right now about colour.

Before we went to the Designhuis I gave the students a tour through Eindhoven with a little assigment. All of the students have to make a photo-report of this day. Theme of the day is COLOUR. I need to see it back in the reports. I am really curious with what they will come up.

Above pictures are the ones I made for my own report.

week 20

2010-05-12T12:03:00.004+02:00

A new book!

I was invited to visit the presentation of Maak het! A book with 20 stories of creative women who have a webshop and extra information about how to start and what to consider before you start a webshop. It is a really useful and beautiful book.

I am kinda proud to tell you I was one of the interviewed women!

Later on the presentation we all got creative together and made pieces to be put together in a plaid!

Really nice to meet the other creative women in person. Nina is also in the book, just as Coretty!

A great afternoon and a beautiful book!

week 19

2010-05-12T11:58:00.006+02:00

Clouds...

We spend a week at the dutch coast. The weather wasn't to good. The view was great!

I love those dutch skies. I think they're magical.

Week 16

2010-04-24T15:21:00.003+02:00

Slowing down. This week.

Loving flowers and their smell.

My favourites here.

In random order:

- Peonies

- Syringa

- Ranunculus

The weather is starting to get really good .And I'm getting in the mood for all the joy coming. Happiness.

Week 10

2010-03-12T20:32:00.001+01:00

This fashionshow really amazed me.
I must admit I'm not a great fan of the fashion, but the concept is brilliant.
The 2 designers are on the catwalk undressing a model piece by piece. And then the seperate pieces are put on to other models in a whole different way. Fabulous!

Week 9

2010-03-01T09:42:00.005+01:00

Inspiration for this week:

1.Watch this video and get inspired by Katie. I think it is amazing and it brightened up my day for sure!
Found this lovely lady via Daan (also really inspiring!).

2. Already blogged about this work on my other blog. But this is too beautiful not to mention it here.
The work of Tilleke Schwarz blew me away!

3. I am in the mood for flowers. Or actually I guess I am in the mood for spring. But flowers work great. I'd like such a small bouquet of found flowers.
Picture found here.

Week 7

2010-02-18T12:27:00.008+01:00

No excuses.
Such a long silence.
But now I am back and planning to stay.

Found some interesting stuff here.

1. I was looking for the work of artist Micheal Raedecker.

2. Found this and I absolutly love it.

3. Beautiful work from Mashallah Design & Linda Kostowski.

4. How I wish I could work in this office.

Again all found here.

While at the DDW

2009-11-01T20:09:00.006+01:00

So I spend some time at the dutch design week. It was fun.

First of all I had to finish the room. More about the room later, I promiss. That was a lot of work. Then I came back to see some beautiful stuff and enjoy the ambiance at such a nice event.
Some great stuff I saw!

Look at the work of Paula Arntzen and Lenneke Wispelwey. Together they designed a Porcelain and Paper Party!

I think they make gorgeous stuff!

The paper lamps and garlands are the work of Paula Arntzen.

While the beautiful porcelain is from Lenneke Wispelwey.

And I think it worked really good together!

Both fun!

2009-10-13T20:57:00.004+02:00

An idea I'm having for the room with a mission. Not sure yet if it can be done and not sure yet if I really think it is going to work...
But it is kind of fun to stick all those dots on the wall!

Also some relaxing time with the new magazine Flow today in my mailbox. Later I will have a moment with this magazine and a cup of tea. Looking forward to it..

A room with a mission

2009-10-06T21:37:00.003+02:00

At this moment I am working on a project about a room (on the picture below) in The Klokgebouw (picture above) in Eindhoven. All because of this.
Lots of work. Very exciting.
At this moment I am just telling myself not to panic. I have only 10 days left to make it a smashing fantastic room!

I'll keep you posted about this project!

Back again

2009-10-05T10:47:00.004+02:00

I had a long and unannounced blogbreak. I am sorry for that but I also enjoyed it very much. It gave me some time to breathe and made me focus on all the great things happening in my life.

And now breathing again and with my eyes wide open, seeing so much nice stuff, I am confused where to start...

Maybe here.

Or should I start telling you my list of 30 favourites, which I made for my birthday.

What about my new job! Or about the great project!

I can also start to show you all the beautiful things I gathered this summer.

But for now I just start to show you this picture.

Happy to be back...

About some music

2009-06-29T14:33:00.007+02:00

Listening to this and this.

About June

2009-06-29T13:44:00.006+02:00

sundaymarket Amsterdam june 21

Rasberry weekend june 27-28 Mister D letting go of a balloon, if you find it: please send back a card and make him very happy!

This June was packed with markets for me to go to! I had a booth on almost every cool market in the Netherlands this month. Now june is almost at its end and I can breathe again.

I had a lot of fun! I sold okay and I met a lot of nice people!

Helenaveen Artmarket june 28

Craftygardens Eindhoven june 7

Craftymarkt Amsterdam june 6

Check out Mamutopia at etsy. With this lovely girl I shared a booth at the sundaymarket in Amsterdam.

At the same market I drooled over the very nice booth of House of dots!

Also I saw these extremely cool monsters!

Last weekend I was present at the Raspberry weekend which took place in my home town! And enjoyed all kinds of rasberry delicatesse. Mmmm...

Early June I had a booth at the Craftymarkt in Amsterdam. Which was a very good market for me (sold a lot!).

There I met planet fur where I bought a beautiful necklace.

About change of colours

2009-06-11T20:32:00.002+02:00

I had peonies.
Lovely.
I like peonies. Very, very much.

They were pink, really pink.

Later (about a week) they were almost white!

About green

2009-05-31T13:46:00.010+02:00

The green from my garden.

Thinking about this garden too (found via here). Wouldn't that be great to realize!

About a new list

2009-05-22T16:51:00.014+02:00

I'll try this again

31 things I like to do before I turn 31

1. Make pictures in a photobooth
2. Try a dish in a restaurant wich I haven't tasted before
3. Have a pillowfight
4. Colour my nails
5. Teach Sjors some english words
6. Organise all photo’s. Make photobooks! Via blurp
7. Write a creative text. A story or a poem
8. Do guerilla art
9. Drink a caiprihna
10. Run, without hesitation, into the cold water of the sea
11. Organise a party for someone else
12. Visit a museum where I've never been before
13. Purchase the perfect summerdress
14. Make a selfportrait everyday, for a whole year
15. Do something that makes me feel very proud of myself
16. Go old fashioned rope skipping
17. Make a new skirt
18. Design 3 prints
19. Collect all funny statements/sentences from the boys
20. Dance in the rain
21. Learn Driek how to ride a bicycle
22. Get muscular pains from laughing
23. Surprise someone
24. Explore the familiar
25. Make new friends
26. Plan for a miracle
27. Read a dutch classic novel
28. Try not to complain for 21 days!
29. Enter a competition
30. Fill a book with special things, ideas/pictures/words- start an Angelique project
31. Take a subscription at the library

About Merci

2009-05-22T16:36:00.005+02:00

This looks like a place worth visiting Paris for.

(If you need a reason at all)

It is like a secondhand bookstore, flowershop, thriftstore, artgallery and fashion magazine in one!

About the list

2009-05-18T13:41:00.008+02:00

Last year I made a list. Now I am 30 and I didn't made it to do all.

1. Make a rithmic, smooth, really incredible slideshow [started, but never finished]
2. Buy myself a digital camera [unfortunatly, didn't buy one yet]
3. Design and organise a wedding [the wedding was cancelled. Ouch, bad vibes]
4. Visit at least 2 musea or exhibitions [How come I didn't achieve this?]
5. Learn 3 new recipes [I went wild on some soup recipes!]

6. Organize a dinnerparty [Had an easter brunch for my family.]

7. Drink a Caipirhna
8. Write a handwritten love letter to my husband and post it from abroad [Done]

9. Plant tulips in october [Done]

10. Make myself a beautiful skirt [Done]
11. Learn how to knit [Made an appointment with my primaryschool craftteacher! I am going to learn how to knit, yeah!]

12. Make a gratitude journal [Done]

13. Plan a guerrilla art project
14. Plan a adventurous day out with the kids with zero euro budget [Done]

15. Design a copple of prints [Done but not worthy to show here!]

16. Clean and organise the house radical, throw away all the stuff i didn't use over the past year

17. Write a childrens book with Virginie, or at least define the concept [We discussed it, does that count?]
18. Read 3 books [Done]
19. Go shopping in a city I never visited before
20. Hang art and pictures in the house [done]
21. Make 20 new collages and/or moodboards
22. Call or mail the person I unfortunatly lost contact with [Done! Cynthia I (we) soon will see you again!]

23. Write a buisnessplan of the kids culture club idea [Still in my head]
24. Design a wie-is-de-mol-game and organize it for a group of people [Done]

25. Get a massage [Done, sorry no pictures available]

26. Visit the theater 3 times [Done! and had fun!]

27. Spend a weekend alone with my husband [Yes! Fabulous.]

28. Surprise somebody [Done]

29. Do something, which I normally wouldn't or maybe even don't dare to do [Euh...well...]
30. Go for a walk with friends [Done, but only once. The intention was to go on a regular base.]

About 30

2009-05-11T11:32:00.005+02:00

I am 30 now.

Had a party featuring my favourite things and trying to spoil my lovely friends.

Made gifts by number, which could be won by playing Bingo! Nobody knew what they could win, they only saw the number of the gift.

Played Bingo

Made a whish.

Which was a present I got! How cool is that!

At midnight I let the dreamflyer go, when I turned 30...

Coco Avant Chanel NL

2009-05-07T16:01:00.001+02:00

Ohh... I want to see this movie.

About queensday

2009-04-30T20:19:00.005+02:00

This was supposed to be a happy day...

I'd like to comfort you with beautiful words, but all I've got is this cloth to catch your tears.

But then this happened.
I am devastated.
So is the queen and everybody else.

About eyes

2009-04-27T11:14:00.003+02:00

Thinking of printing these on canvas. I only need a good picture of my husbands eyes and a better one of mister S's eyes!

I think it can look great printed big, hanging on my wall.

About this party

2009-04-24T14:41:00.006+02:00

Going crazy on this party I'm throwing. Soon I will turn thirty years old (Thirty, really what happened?).

And now I'm busy preparing all the stuff for a ladies get together! The party will be all about favorites!

Last year I made a list. I think I make a new one. I'll keep you posted about it!

About talent

2009-04-16T20:19:00.001+02:00

This is why you can't judge only by the looks. Pretty blown away by it.

About computer crashes

2009-04-08T21:07:00.002+02:00

My computer crashed.
So now I'm just trying to enjoy spring coming (although the weather is not too good ).
Hopefully soon I can show you exactly what I've been enjoying about spring so far...

About april foolsday

2009-04-01T10:49:00.001+02:00

Still love this one ; )

Swiss spaghetti harvest 1957

About questions

2009-03-19T20:02:00.006+01:00

Sweet Rina tagged me!

These are the rules:

1. respond and rework: answer the questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention, add one more question of your own.

2. tag eight other un-tagged people.

*what is your current obsession?
designing my next birthdayparty

*what are you wearing now?
a wide-legged jeans, black shirt and a black jacket

*who was the last person you hugged?
My little one, Mister S.

*what inspires you?
better say what doesn't inspire me! sometimes I go nuts on all the information I'd like to gather because I am so inspired by it. I just to overwhelmed by everything I see, I forget a lot. But I guess people are main source...

*what's for dinner?
pasta with spicy tomato sauce

*what was the last thing you bought?
hagelslag (this is typical dutch, chocolate sprinkles to put on your bread!)

*what are you listening to right now?
Kings of Leon

*what is your favorite weather?
this very much depends on the day and how I feel. Sometimes I like the rain a lot, but in general the sun makes everything so much happier. I like those chilly spring days with a little bit of sun, when you can feel the promiss in the air.

*what is on your bedside table?
my gratitude journal, a pen, books, lipbalm

*what's your style?
Casual but feminin and I love skirts. Above all in this period of my life it has to be practical. With 2 boys climbing on me and all that!

*what is your most challenging goal right now?
to participate in great design and/or styling projects. In other words to promote myself and my work!

*say something to the person who tagged you
Rina is a lovely and sweet person. I like to read her blog and although we live miles apart, I recognize a lot in her. Whish I could meet her in person sometime.

*if you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where do you want it to be?
Paris, without a doubt

*favourite vacation spot?
South of France (Provence), Ireland

*name the things you cannot live without.
My family, chocolate, a notebook and a pen, love, flowers, words, challenges

*what would you like to have in your hands right now?
some flowers, tulips

*what would you like to get rid of?
my belly, after 2 pregnancies it's not that beautiful anymore

*what was the last book you read?

not really reading, but i am enjoying 'The creative family' from Amanda Soule right now.

*if you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
I would like to explore Africa and I wouldn't mind visiting New York

*what´s your favorite movie icon?
Amélie

*when you were a child, what did you want to become (as in work)?
I wanted to become a farmer and a fashiondesigner!

Okay, I am not going to tagg anyone, but please feel free to play along and let me know when you do!

About watching TV

2009-03-07T20:24:00.002+01:00

Okay, it may look a bit scary, but actually it is quite cute. He's watching TV and wanting to be a rabbit at the same time. I think it's funny.

About Tees

2009-03-07T19:55:00.004+01:00

Love the moustaches shirt. More tees here.

found via weheartit

About last week

2009-02-26T12:45:00.006+01:00

What I finished, I'm not sure if I like it this way though...

An old garage just a small walk away from my house. I really like the look of it.

Last weekend we celebrated Carnaval. Mister S was dressed up as a clown. Mister D turned into his (female!) hero: Mega Mindy.

for more pictures see here.

About valentinesday

2009-02-14T14:40:00.003+01:00

The poster I made for my love

and the heart I am working on right now

happy valentines day

The poster idea I got from here.

About garlands

2009-02-10T21:03:00.002+01:00

About what I like now

2009-02-02T10:46:00.009+01:00

I like Nutella on my bread in the morning, ... so does my little one mister S

I like long bike rides with the sun on my face

I like it when my boy (mister D) says: Mom, I am so happy! And I say: Why are you so happy?
And mister D says: Because you're such a great mommy.
That I like a lot

I like tulips, i like them in my house, providing me the feeling of spring

I like what I am making

I like what others are making. For example these beautiful juwelery by Hester Zagt. Inspired by old dutch costumes.

I like to throw parties and it's time to throw a party again

About fashion

2009-01-27T09:26:00.003+01:00

Really this link you should CHECK out. It's the online show of the new collection of a dutch fashiondesigner, Jan Taminiau.

It's WOW, immense, sculptural, detailed and so beautiful... I am speechless

CHECK MATE

Marit Larsen - If a Song Could Get Me You (Live Train)

2009-01-20T20:10:00.001+01:00

Just stumbled upon this. I love it.

Fresh

2009-01-03T14:23:00.006+01:00

The new year started fresh and clean. Crispy white! These pictures are from this morning.

No snow just all frosted.

Iceskating morning.

We are so lucky. The weather is great and we live in this beautiful place where this nature reserve (with a little lake) is just around the corner.

To all of you, I wish you a great and inspiring 2009!

Have fun

2008-12-22T12:00:00.005+01:00

I want to whish you all a merry christmas and lovely holidays.

Also want to show you these great artists: first, Yulia Brodskaya. An illustrator and graphic designer. Really great and delicate work. Check out her website! Found at the penguin & fish blog.

And second Marijke Janssens. You can purchase beautiful postcards at her etsyshop. Enfin, la voila. I found her cards in a nice little shop in Maastricht.

Warm inside

2008-12-16T09:14:00.005+01:00

Photo: from show+tell

Landscapes in which you feel totally lost, because of beauty and greatness. Sunshine on your face on a cold (freezing) winterday. Hot chocolate with whipped cream prepared with a lot of love by your very own husband. Superheroes in unexpected places. A high tea, gossip and laugh with the girls. Pipi longstocking. The boy smiling, because he was fooling you. The boy crying, because he doesn't want to leave mommy for school. Singing out loud when nobody hears you. Nutella on my bread in the morning. Our song on the radio, bringing back some very good memories. Handwritten loveletters, with a scent of perfume. A surprisingly perfect, intelligent, grammatically correct, long and funny sentence from the little boy. And more...

Photo: The sartorialist

Sinterklaas

2008-12-05T14:20:00.002+01:00

Tonight Sinterklaas is coming! It's pakjesavond (dec. 5).

I love this great old dutch tradition of Sinterklaas' birthday (which is tomorrow).

Since November he is in Holland and spoiling all the "good" kids with nice presents, which he puts in their shoes.

My boys too, placed their shoe in front of the fireplace, left a carrot and some bread for the horse, along with their whishlist.

The excitment of the two faces alone will be worth watching. I know I can't wait for Sinterklaas to come by our house ; )

Random shots

2008-12-02T20:46:00.006+01:00

Pictures around the house from last week:

My parents are renovating the house and while cleaning the attic they came across lots of old drawings from me. All this stuff I once made, from elementary school to art academy.

So much fun to see again and browse through.

Boy turns 4

2008-12-02T20:41:00.003+01:00

Last saturday he turned 4. He made me a mom. I am so proud.

He asked for a Dragon theme party.

He (and we) had a great time!

Happy birthday Mom

2008-11-25T20:43:00.001+01:00

Today is my moms birthday. Hooray!

She is the cutie in the middle.

Food and such

2008-11-25T20:16:00.004+01:00

Working on some food and styling things. Trying to sell lunches. Anyone?

To those who are (trying to) follow this blog. I am sorry, I guess I lost my mojo. Doing to much of other things and really nothing at all. Trying to get it all back. Wanting to.

Random things:

Seen this?

Still love this very much, some good advice!

ps. a big hug to Thereza. I truly like you being around here!

Lace

2008-11-07T13:49:00.014+01:00

First of all I would like to thank my loyal visitors. Even when I am not around they come to visit the blog and comment! Thank you and sorry I am not commenting as much as I would like on your blogs.

Then something I am planning to do already for a long time. I saw a lot of beautiful design lately inspired on lace. Now I want to show you what I mean.

To begin with the beautiful artwork (first photo). This is artwork from Cal Lane. Very impressive, check out the rest of the work here...

Also here, how very old lace is beautifully used in a modern weddingdress.

Not really lace, but I Like it anyway ;) is the heatwave from Joris Laarman.
Again not really lace, but crochet. The crochet table designed by Marcel Wanders for Moooi.

And the Lace fence from demakersvan. What in fact a simple idea makes such a great fence. (Also check out their cinderella table which is just gorgeous)

And while we're on it Mister Philippe Starck did some lace inspired design too! Here you find his Miss lacy chair.

There is this great example of lace design used for urban/public space. But unfortunatly I am not able to show this great square, which I regret, but I will show if I find it. It's a square somewhere in Normandy, France and it has this great lace pattern design beautiful sight from the sky!
Anyway unfortunatly I still need to find a picture.

Whish you all a great weekend.

Changes

2008-10-28T10:38:00.007+01:00

Okay. I'm back.

I will not annoy you with the struggle I had, no, instead I will tell you all the things I changed for the better!

To start with 1: I started another new blog! Yeah! Called zoet-stof, after my textile label.

I felt this blog was a little polluted with my personal stuff. Which, ofcourse doesn't have to be a problem, but for me it was never a reason to start with this blog. Anyway, since I enjoy blogging about personal stuff I decided to start another blog full of me and my world. Also the new blog will be more about crafting and such.

Well find out for yourself...

And about this blog. I decided to go back to the core. The reason why I started it.

This blog was supposed to show visitors of my website more about my interests and finds on trends, artists, products, colours, anything interesting and inspiring.

So that's what I am going to do.

I will not post as often as I was used to. But then there's the zoet-stof blog!

I hope to inspire you. Enjoy.

photo found here.

# 24

2008-10-02T14:12:00.006+02:00

Wie is de mol?

Number 24 in the list of 30 things to do before I turn 30, was to organise a "Wie is de mol" game for a group of people.

On september 13 my friend and I pulled it off!

We put a whole programm together full of sabotage kind of games. Including a difficult tour, mathematics and memory games.

It was a succes.

The group had a great day and enjoyed the game very much.

My friend and I had a really good time too! Contact me if your interested in this idea or if you like to experience it for yourself!

# 18

2008-10-02T13:50:00.006+02:00

I finished reading 3 books!
number 18 on my list of 30 things.

These are the books I read:

-The kiterunner
-A thousand splendid suns
(Both books were a present I got from my brother and 1 of my sister in law) (Both books I highly recommend) (With both books, I cried and cried and cried while reading)
-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

But with colder weather ahead I am sure I will read more. Please tell me your favourites. I can use some good reading tips!

song

2008-09-21T19:25:00.008+02:00

Today is his birthday! He is 2 years old now. Happy birthday little one...

(The song is actually only funny when you understand what he's singing. So... a little translation:

I am so happy, I am so happy, I am so happy)

What happens if you give your camera...

2008-09-21T19:16:00.005+02:00

shot from a (nearly) 2-year old

This is what happens if you give your camera to a 3-year old and a nearly 2-year old.
Quiet fun actually. I think I need to experiment with this more often!
My boys won't mind they beg for the camera all the time.

I'm even thinking of getting them a camera of their own!
I will let you know how this story continues...

shot from a (nearly) 2-year old

shot from a 3-year old ( the fingers are in a lot of pictures! something to work on hihi)

shot from a 3-year old (my favorite)

More, more...to do.

2008-09-14T13:10:00.008+02:00

Lots of work to do!

I'm selling at the craftymarkt in october and there's still so much to do and to make.

But it's so much fun to do.
I'm making new softies and new troostlapjes.

Meanwhile my house is a mess, of course. For now I don't mind.

For my dutch readers: if you have time to visit the craftymarkt you should go! It's in Tilburg during the textielweekend.

Goodbye

2008-09-03T15:32:00.008+02:00

Last week my oldest son had to say goodbye to his friends at the daycare center.

We had cake and I made finger puppets for all of them.

It was so much fun seeing those kids decorating their cake and playing with the puppets.

It was no sad goodbye at all. It was a lot of fun.

He will still be seeing a lot of his friends, since daycare, BSO (after school daycare?!), pre-school and primary-school are all in the same building (and there's only 1 primary-school in this little village).

Air full of rain

2008-08-29T21:09:00.009+02:00

One thing I really like about holland are the skies. Those beautiful cloudy skies. I even like the rain now and then.

About a week ago we had this strange kind of weather, changing constantly from cloudy to sunny, from sunny to windy. We were playing outside in our garden when suddenly it turned very dark. This big grey cloud was moving fastly in front of the sun, until no sun was seen anymore.

The four of us waited to see what would happen. It threatening with rain so badly, but it was also such a gorgeous sky to see.

And finally (it took really long, much longer then expected), drops of rain fell. Nice little drops at first, but then within seconds it felt like the whole cloud fel down at once!

We only had to run for like 20 meters to the door, we were all soaking wet.

We had so much fun though.

10 minutes later it was all gone and we had a great blue sky again!

A foreign friend of mine once described the dutch weather as following: If you don't like the weather in Holland... come back in half an hour! (hihi) and it is kind of true.

The pictures are really bad, sorry... but they are showing you what I saw when looking left and right from me at (nearly) the same time!

Tagged again!

2008-08-26T12:37:00.011+02:00

Tagged by Nina in vorm

Rules: Post rules at the beginning of the post. Answer all of the questions, tag 6 people, go to their blog and leave them a comment to inform them that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog for rules. Let the person who tagged you know when you've posted your answers.

1) What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was nineteen, student at the art academy, studying fashion design. Exactly 10 years ago I was living in Los Angeles for my internship.

2) What are the 5 things on your to do list today? (I'll take my to do list tomorrow since today has nothing really special besides having fun with my boys).
- Visit an atelier, to see if we can do business together I'm working on a new product and I need to find out if I can get it produced.
- Go for a walk with my friends in the evening. It's been long since I did that and I think this will be a good moment to go.

- Preparing some sheets for a game/project I'm working on together with my best friend.

- Make plans for my sons birthday in september.

- Jumping on the trampoline together with my kids.

3) snacks you enjoy
Chocolate, lots of it!

4) places you have lived
Meijel, Arnhem, Los Angeles, Paris, Eindhoven, Meijel (this is a petit place in the middle of nowwhere, I swore I would never live in again, but now I am back (under pressure of my husband who's very homebound and not much of a cosmopolitan), I tell myself it's nice for the kids)

5) what are 5 things you would do if you were a Billionaire? (millionaire would be fine too)
- Build my dream farm, open a bed and breakfast, with studio, galerie, lots of animals, cooking clinics, etc. etc. ...

- Help family and friends with their dreams

- Do some good charity (thinking: builing a school)

- Buy a nice appartment in Paris or New York

- Buy myself a really incredible dress with fantastic shoes.

6) people you want to know more about:

Mary-laure - aurea

Karina - el beso

Stacy - la boudoir

Lisette - handmaid liset

vlijtig

I'll keep it with these 5

Tagged!

2008-08-25T14:08:00.009+02:00

I've been tagged by the lovely Floortje. She's new in blogland but her new blog is really worth checking out. Thanks for tagging me!

Here are the Tag rules:

Link to the person who tagged you. Post the rules on your blog. Write 6 random things about yourself. Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them. Let each person you have tagged know by leaving a comment on their blog. Let the tagger (me) know when your entry is posted.

1. My family really consist only of men (except from my mother). I got 3 younger brothers and 2 sons. Only guys around me!

2. I love to make lists. Things to do lists, whish lists, favorite colours lists, things I like to accomplish lists. I'll make anything into a list.

3. I cry easily. I cry when I see a beautiful piece of art.

Let's just say, I'm touched easily, luckily this also means I laugh a lot!

4. I love hats. I love to wear them. Unfortunatly the circumstances I am in don't allow me to wear hats very often. Wearing a hat and riding a bike is not a good combination and a hat while driving a car seems so useless. However, when I visit Paris I always put on a hat. And that's just 1 reason I love to go to Paris ;)

5. I love the smell of fresia's.

6. I like to make up names. I have a long list of names I would like to name my (15!) unborn children, but also animals and softies are victim of my naming addiction.

I tag:

Rina

Erna

Lucie

(only four)

Your cover's blown Award!

2008-08-25T13:16:00.007+02:00

This blog has been awarded! With the Your cover's blown award.

I feel very honoured. Thanks to Rina, who wrote such lovely words about my blog.

So, the rules of this award are: when you receive this award, showcase it on your blog and link to the person who awarded you with it. Hereafter, give the award to 7 other blogs and comment on their blog to let them know.
This is a very difficult task of course since there are so many nice and beautiful blogs, but here I go:

veja cecilia: Cute blog of a lovely person who's main interests are drawing, knitting and design. And really it's nice to see the progress in her work. She a great illustrator.

manteli: Another scandinavian blog. (I love these blogs). A mother writing about her family moving to a place on the countryside. Lovely pictures, a blog full of inspiration.

happysilly: Again a mother, again scandinavian, again a very creative person. Beautiful blog, great illustrator, lovely peek into her wonderful world.

tiny red: Another very creative lady. Thereza is a graphic designer/ illustrator and makes beautiful things. She's posting daily and showing us her life, emotions, what she's up to, through her work. Lovely!

nina in vorm: Very inspirational blog. Really this girl has taste! Great interior styling ideas and cool work from Nina.

vlijtig: Amazing how this mother of 2 finds time to make the most beautiful stuff. I adore her stamps (they're too cute, really). On her blog she shows all these nice hand-made things.

periwinklebloom: Lovely blog on simple, kind and honest living. Showing great style. I am loving all the things Tyler is showing on her blog.

Olympics

2008-08-25T13:02:00.011+02:00

The Olympic games ended.

Not that I was watching everyday, but I like these kind of moments, these pictures.

You're almost able to feel the pain, the adrenaline, the tension and in the end the relief.

via red aprons and lunchboxes.

Troostlapjes/zoet-stof

2008-08-19T20:05:00.002+02:00

Finished these "troostlapjes" recently.

Hiding

2008-08-16T13:48:00.005+02:00

Yes I've been hiding, and I loved it!

First I enjoyed 2 lovely weeks in France together with my family. No internet, no mail, no blog just my family and the charming surroundings of France. It did feel a bit weird in the beginning, but later on, I only missed keeping up with my blogfriends a little.

Anyway for the past 2 weeks I was just hiding in Holland and having a great time around here.

Hey, but now I'm back, full of energy and inspiration.

I-like-this: list

2008-07-17T09:30:00.028+02:00

Okay, in a few days I'm heading off to France to spend my holiday. Oh I love France and I am really looking forward to it.

It also means that I won't be blogging for a few weeks.

Instead I leave you behind with a list of things I like (very much) now:

I like these uncomplicated prints, really they're actually only ink dots, but then done in a great way. The process is great, the outcome is fabulous! Found via and via.

I like this couch and the pillows.

I like butterflies, I like them to be very colourful. I like "butterfly-kisses" from my sons.

These fabrics are beautiful and this one in particular, found here, via bliss.

As in art I get very happy looking at this. I enjoy the colours, the embroideries and the paintings you really have to check out.

I like you to like me, hihi.

I found Nigel Peake, via tas-ka. It's worth checking out! I like it a lot.

Just recently I saw Atonement, the movie. I liked the bathingsuit and the cap.

What I like to is this DIY-type-art. It just keeps you playing. Go play and have fun. Thanks to Thereza, through her blog I found this site!

I like presents in the mail or just handwritten letters.

These patterns I think are cute, this one I like, this is the best and this and this pattern I think are fabulous.

I like my list. And I like throwing/creating a party.

I like chocolat, a lot, I like lots of chocolat.

I think this is a great concept, I like the idea of pimping an old clothing item with an sewn frontloader!!
I like Ireland, I know I am going to France (which I do love), but I am also still dreaming of going back to Ireland.

I like pictures that make you look twice. I like the smell of lavender and the taste of anything sweet and anything bitter.

I like the beautiful work of bird and banner, yes I do! I fact after the holidays I am planning to concentrate on doing something like this too. Of course in my own way. And for the same reason I also like what they're doing.
I like magazines, lots of magazines.

Oh yes, I like a good laugh!
And I am sure you all know her, I like, no I adore Amélie Poulain. She is my hero.
I like the word whimsical, don't ask why.

I like moms crafting and making beautiful things. I like to believe I am such a mom too.

As for blogs: please check out these:
show + tell , found via lost, check out both blogs!
fine little day, very well known in blogland I guess, but really, really worth checking out almost everyday! (at least I do)
sia grafica
happysilly

I hope this will keep you busy for a while. And tell me what you like! I would like to check it out and get inspired by you.

Thanks, whish you a lovely summer.

the fair

2008-07-09T13:37:00.009+02:00

Last weekend there was a fair (is how it's called in english? I mean kermis, for my dutch readers!) at my parents-in-law village.

Fun with the kids!

Cotton candy and rides on the merry-go-round.

# 10

2008-07-07T12:25:00.003+02:00

Yeah finally! The first "thing" of my list I've done.

Made myself a skirt.

Now I am hoping for the whether to be good to wear it.

And eeks my legs really need a tan...

One lucky girl

2008-07-05T21:04:00.006+02:00

Simple things can make me very very happy!

a beautiful bunch of flowers,

a bit of colour,

the smiles of my boys,

raspberries from our own garden

I guess I am a very lucky girl...

Please tell me, what is it that makes you happy?

Sartorial selection

2008-07-03T20:04:00.004+02:00

I love dresses. For the perfect summer feeling.

via the sartorialist

To blog or not to blog...

2008-07-03T09:24:00.004+02:00

I really don't know how other bloggers do it. To post every single day! It's a true challenge. I can't do it. I would like to, but somehow I don't manage.
With 2 little boys running around, a household to keep, work to do, a husband who needs attention now and then and something like a social life, I find it very hard to keep up in blogging land. Because besides posting I also have to check out a whole lot of other beautiful and inspiring blogs.
Really it could be a full time job.
Lately I'm trying to decide on a structure for this blog. Something that can give me a bit of clarity, and helps me to post more regularly.
Anyway I'm still thinking about it. I will let you know when I figured it out.
Untill then I'll post whenever I'll post and show you whatever I think is worth showing you...

Just finished these bookcovers and cloth. A lot of work but so nice to do!

I've been tagged

2008-06-26T10:22:00.026+02:00

I've been tagged by Rina to do a random meme with a dutch twist!
I am not sure if I am doing this right, but anyway here it is:

Dutch childrens book illustrations. Loving them very much.
Nijntje by Dick Bruna
Kikker by Max velthuis
Jip and Janneke by Fiep Westendorp

Fiets! Bicycles everywhere. We dutchies love our bicycles... I go everywhere on mine!

Clouds, dutch landscapes, windmills. I love these typical dutch views. Flat land, cloudy sky, water.
Paintings: top: Johannes Vermeer, view of Delft
bottom: Jacob van Ruysdael, Molen bij wijk van duurstede

The Dutch royal family. Prince Willem Alexander, his wife Princess maximá and their daughters, Amalia, Alexia and Ariaan.
These pictures were taken on Alexia's second birthday. Exactly today is her third birthday!

Flowers. Fields of flowers, flowermarkets and flowers in a vase. I am so lucky. In Holland you can by all kinds of flowers very cheap!

And the HEMA. A great warehouse. Basic and beautiful designs. Maybe the only (material) reason why I am not moving out of Holland is the HEMA. I couldn't live without it!

Now I'll tag:

Lucy from lu.lu.

Lisette from HandMaid Liset

Fabio from via Manelli

Broches

2008-06-23T16:07:00.006+02:00

Beautiful porcelain broches. Find them here.

Bon Iver - Skinny Love (Live at Later... with Jools Holland

2008-06-19T12:32:00.001+02:00

Some more music.

You have to sit and wait through the introduction, but then...

Wow, what a song, i am blown away...

Handmade market

2008-06-19T10:14:00.002+02:00

At the market last sunday. I sold quite well, Yeah!

Dawn Landes performs exclusively for MusFlashTV ACOUSTIC

2008-06-18T21:15:00.001+02:00

Listening to Dawn Landes.

I am soooo in love with her voice...

Prints

2008-06-17T21:43:00.005+02:00

There's something about these kind of prints. Not only because I like them a lot, there's more to it. I can't explain. Let's just enjoy these simply beautiful, black & white, raw, graphical prints.

But if I find a dress like in the bottom pic, it's mine then!

pics:

top: business card from Sanne

2. my own

3. from ELLE WONEN

bottom: shot by Lena Corwin, trying on a gorgous dress

Lili & the funky boys

2008-06-17T21:34:00.005+02:00

Lili & the funky boys is a very fresh and new brand of childrens clothes. For kids from 3 months up to 2 years. Unisex and with a briljant color palette. The details are faboulous!
Lili & the funky boys is designed by Esther Loonen (my former classmate at the fashion-design academy!) and based in Paris. But from september this lovely collection of clothes is available at the little fashion gallery!

Zoo

2008-06-17T21:27:00.005+02:00

We went to the zoo. It was a lot of fun! The boys had a great time. it is just a little zoo, not to much animals but it was perfect for the kids since the animals were not to far away to see and with a lot of playgrounds.

Hey and check out the perfect camouflaged pig!

Some finds

2008-06-07T14:06:00.009+02:00

I found these beautiful tiles. By Lubna Chowdhary.

I love my garden full of poppy's! I wish it could stay forever as it looked this week. So happy and cheerful.

Check out the urban drifting zine by Thereza Rowe. It's a must see!

A very beautiful fashion collection! Totally amazing!

Ligia Dias

2008-06-04T17:03:00.005+02:00

The Swiss Ligia Dias was discovered bij Rei kawakubo from Comme des garcon. She worked for Lanvin but now concentrates on her own work. Ligia makes the most crazy beautiful jewelery. Using material like lace, ribbons, rope, pearls.

Bookcover

2008-05-30T15:32:00.005+02:00

For my friend's brithday, which we're celebrating tonight, I made her this bookcover.

It was so much fun to make. I guess I am making much more of them soon!

30 things

2008-05-30T15:22:00.011+02:00

30 things I like to do before I turn 30!

1. Make a rithmic, smooth, really incredible slideshow
2. Make good money and buy myself a digital camera
3. Design and organise a wedding
4. Visit at least 2 musea or exhibitions
5. Learn 3 new recipes
6. Organize a dinnerparty
7. Drink a Caipirhna
8. Write a handwritten love letter to my husband and post it from abroad
9. Plant tulips in october
10. Make myself a beautiful skirt
11. Learn how to knit
12. Make a gratitude journal
13. Plan a guerrilla art project
14. Plan a adventurous day out with the kids with zero euro budget
15. Design a copple of prints
16. Clean and organise the house radical, throw away all the stuff i didn't use over the past year
17. Write a childrens book with Virginie, or at least define the concept
18. Read 3 books
19. Go shopping in a city I never visited before
20. Hang art and pictures in the house
21. Make 20 new collages and/or moodboards
22. Call or mail the person I unfortunatly lost contact with
23. Write a buisnessplan of the kids culture club idea
24. Design a wie-is-de-mol-game and organize it for a group of people
25. Get a massage
26. Visit the theater 3 times
27. Spend a weekend alone with my husband
28. Surprise somebody
29. Do something, which I normally wouldn't or maybe even don't dare to do
30. Go for a walk with friends

Kids craft swap

2008-05-26T21:29:00.003+02:00

Today I got this really nice package in the mail! All the way from Miami came a box full of craft supplies for my 2 boys.
My oldest one just couldn't wait for me to open all the craft supplies. He started to paint right away. The best thing for me: the watercolourpaint smells exactly the same as the paint I remember from my childhood. That smell, the memory, just lovely...

Thank you very much Laura, for this great and lovely surprise. I'm sure my boys will have so much fun with it! I will post some pics of my sons creating beautiful art soon!

Nama Rococo

2008-05-25T11:14:00.005+02:00

What a charming wallpaper studio! Nama Rococo designs the most original prints. Very colourful, very special, very beautiful.

Go check out their also very beautiful website!

En Gry & Sif

2008-05-20T20:45:00.003+02:00

Today I discovered these cute little soft toys from this danish brand én Gry & Sif. I fell in love immediatly.

Langnek

2008-05-18T10:17:00.004+02:00

We spend our day at the Efteling yesterday. Unfortunatly it was raining all day. But even though we had a great time.

The picture shows Langnek in the fairy tale forest.

Roza Pelgrom

2008-05-13T20:23:00.005+02:00

Roza Pelgrom is the designer op these beautiful blankets.

With the blankets she creates a landscape of thoughts.Fictional maps show you a new way of travel:” My work has a lot to do with making your own space, wherever you are”This way a new landscape can exist in every imaginable place..

Roza Pelgrom is one of the green dogs-young design group. Go visit their website and see more fresh design!

A lovely picknick

2008-05-10T19:55:00.020+02:00

O my... What a wonderful picknick it was. The weather was great, my friends were the best, it just couldn't be better.

How I designed the party:
First I came up with a theme and that turned out to be a colorscheme. I've chosen for white and green, because it would fit with the time of the year. Then I sorted out what kind of food would fit in this colorscheme (this is where I added brown to the scheme, otherwise I couldn't fit in any bread!). Cheese, lettuce, honey, nuts and bread was basically the meal ,what it turned out to be.

Since I turned 29 I also wanted to celebrate the fact that this is my last year being twenty-something. I made a list, inspired by the lovely Andrea from the blog hula seventy, with 30 things I like to do before I turn 30.

These are all things I'd really like to do but never really take time to do. (I'll post this list later.)

All 30 items I put on a label. Then I labeled all the pieces of food, so my friends could read and talk to me about my 30 things all through the picknick. We had so much fun with it, specially when they figured out I have about 10 days for each of the things if I would plan it equally. Oh my... what did I started?

Anyway the really fun part of it was that I gave my friends the oppertunity to join me in one or more of the things. This would mean even more quality time together (that's how I see it anyway).

Sakki-Sakki

2008-05-07T14:10:00.009+02:00

To continue on the happy feeling... Look at this wonderful, bright and cheerful work.

These happy, happy illustrations are from Monicka Clio Sakki. Monicka is an artist, designer and a writer with a very own cheerful style.

Happy Everything Sakki-Sakki is a unique line of art and work in progress based on the authentic style, unexpected happenings and creative imagination of Monicka Clio Sakki.

At her fine-arts studio ketubahcolors she creates artwork playing between inspiration and tradition, words and colors, beauty and professional knowledge.

Also please take a look at her lovely blog.

Happy feeling

2008-05-05T20:09:00.012+02:00

I'm kind of freakin' out on the party thing! It's this saturday that I will have my girls only picknick and I'm arranging all details and decoration. i find so much pleasure in designing and organizing a party. I just can't wait to have all my friends around me enjoying the afternoon together...

This girl is amazing in throwing a party. She designs the most fabulous parties.

This weeknd was such a lovely weekend. The weather was great, we were all having a splendid time. Our little one was helping his dad to mow the lawn. And my oldest son was having the time of his life, because he could join dad in the tractor.

A very happy feeling.

Dreaming of...

2008-05-01T14:32:00.005+02:00

I was searching the attic for some forgotten things... I found pictures of a vacation in Ireland. Now I'm just dreaming about this amazing country.

Oh I'd love to go back some time soon

Queensday

2008-04-29T16:00:00.009+02:00

Tomorrow it's Queensday! Jeey!

Party

2008-04-25T11:02:00.006+02:00

I am planning on a little party! In a few weeks I am celebrating my 29th birthday. It will be the last year I can call myself twenty-something ;) and I decided to organize a small picknick at the waterside. Just me and my best friends.

I'm really looking forward to it, i only hope the wheather will be fine...

BKids

2008-04-25T10:59:00.006+02:00

Today Irene from Bkids posted about zoet-stof on her blog. Thanks to Irene for writing such a nice review!

Royal Delft

2008-04-24T10:32:00.007+02:00

Turns out today is Dutch ceramic day!

I stumbled upon these stunning images of the Marcel Wanders collection for de Koninklijke Porceleine Fles, Royal Delft.

I love the 17th century dutch painting setting, with the nice, tiny, modern details.

Royal Tichelaar Makkum

2008-04-24T10:08:00.007+02:00

Royal Tichelaar Makkum asked four designers to re-interpret the 17th century Dutch flower vase. The results are on show for the first time at Salone 08.
An exact replica of one of the original pyramids served as starting point for a new interpretation by Hella Jongerius, Jurgen Bey, Studio Job and Alexander van Slobbe.

Find out more here.

My personal favorite is the plastic bucket's equivalent of Jurgen Bey!

Theo Jansen

2008-04-18T13:32:00.008+02:00

I just discovered this amazing work (via 2 or 3 things blog).

It's from the dutch artist Theo Jansen. In a former life he mainly sticked to painting, but now (10 years already) he is dedicated to these immense, surreal and beautiful new nature, called strandbeesten.

Not pollen or seeds but plastic yellow tubes are used as the basic matierial of this new nature. He makes skeletons which are able to walk on the wind. Eventualy he wants to put these animals out in herds on the beaches, so they will live their own lives.

See more here...

I am just blown away by these amazing pieces of art and great talent.

Harmonie intérieure

2008-04-17T16:58:00.012+02:00

The presentation of these nice wall stickers is just fabulous. Okay, the stickers are very cool either, but I fell for the lovely polaroid presentation.

All of this can be found here. At Harmonie Intérieure an atelier for decoration and stickers.

Via laissez faire.

Oh... and about polaroid, really check out this beautiful blog.

Lies I've told my 3 year old recently

2008-04-17T10:03:00.005+02:00

Trees talk to each other at night.
All fish are named either Lorna or Jack.
Before your eyeballs fall out from watching too much TV, they get very loose.
Tiny bears live in drain pipes.
If you are very very quiet you can hear the clouds rub against the sky.
The moon and the sun had a fight a long time ago.
Everyone knows at least one secret language.
When nobody is looking, I can fly.
We are all held together by invisible threads.
Books get lonely too.
Sadness can be eaten.
I will always be there.

By Raul Gutierrez

What a sweet lies...I most definetely are going to use some of them on my 3-year old! Found via happy cavalier.

Happy birthday!

2008-04-16T20:02:00.004+02:00

Today's my brother's birthday. Although I won't be seeing him today, I myself have a party feeling. Whooho!

Chris Congratulations!

RayRay

2008-04-16T13:50:00.007+02:00

I like to show you the dollhouse and playtower of Momoll. I think it's great.

Momoll is a Swiss company of which the designer wanted a easy stackable, easy to take along dollhouse for his daughter. You can take down the houses completely and make it a flat package, easy to take along. Besides this great asset the houses are pure, multifunctional, flexible and stimulate imagination and creativity. And on top of it all, it's handmade in Switzerland.
I came across this beautiful brand via active-kids.