Life is a Beach

Clockwise: 

Baku Bikini Top £65 & Bottom £61 | Missoni Beach Towel €119,95 via De Bijenkorf | River Island Straw Hat £13 | Persol Shades (PO649) €165 | J Crew Tank $86 | Massimo Dutti Men’s Swimwear €39,95 | ASOS Navy Espadrilles £8 | H&M Beach Towel €7,95 | Kiehl’s Sun Protection SFP 40 $19,50 | Zara Golden Sandals €39,95 | Club Monaco Goldie Moroccan Bag $59,50 | Ray-Ban Erika Shades Violet (RB4171 870/68)$109 

My 5 favorite areas in Amsterdam

1. The "Oudemanhuispoort"

A Splash of Yellow

Celebrate springtime by adding some yellow to your wardrobe and home!

Clockwise:

Card by Rifle Paper Co; Menu by Martha Stewart; Paper Bag Vase from Rosenthal with daffodils; Pin Cushion by Deborah Sparks via www.notonthehighstreet.com; No. 2 pencil skirt by J Crew; Cacharel Mustard Belt via Asos; Clutch by Zara; Sessun Dress via Asos; Yellow napkin by Martha Stewart; Blackberry Cover by Kate Spade

Wedding Belles 2012

This article is for my girlfriends, who are in need of some wedding outfits this Spring and Summer!

Necklace Zara €19,95 - Dress Top Shop £46 - Clutch Zara €49,95 - Ted Baker Scarf via ASOS £59 - Cuff ASOS £8 - Heels Zara €79,95 - Nail Polish Chanel Particulière 

  

Necklace ASOS £25 - Dress Sessun via ASOS £145 - Clutch ASOS £25,50 - Jacket ASOS £55 - Heels Zara €49,95

Nail Polish Chanel Organdy - Ted Baker Bow Cuff via ASOS £49 - Heels Dune £90 - Dress Top Shop £90 - Earrings Miu Miu €175,52 - Envelope Clutch ASOS £15

Earrings Swarovski via ASOS £15 - Jacket French Connection €425 -Dress Sessun via ASOS £145 - Nail Polish Chanel Fantastic - Clutch French Connection €110 - Heels Ted Baker via ASOS £15 

Dress ASOS £35 - Bag ASOS £16 - Head Band H&M €3,95 - Heels Zara €49,95

Clutch Michael Kors €570 - Lace Gloves ASOS £5 - Dress ASOS £36 - Earrings £18 - Heels £60

5 things I want for Spring

1. To wear with flats or wedges, a pair of sophistocated jeggings, like these: 

Zara, € 39,95

2. A romantic kebaya, a cotton blouse with embroidery

Zara, €49,95

3. A statement coat

H&M, €99,-

4. A green dress

Sessun / Asos, GBP145

5. Silver shoes

H&M, €12,95

Skiing in style

Audrey Hepburn in Charade

Ann Bonfoey Taylor, alternate on the Olympic ski team in 1939, designer  of ski clothing and fashion icon

Want to travel over snow in the style of icon Ann Bonfoey Taylor or enjoy the view over the mountains like Audrey Hepburn, here is how: 

Bring in the new...

(20)12 Party dresses

In need of a party dress this month? No worries, I already selected 4x3 dresses for you, to celebrate 2012 with sparkles and in style!

French Connection

Aztek Drape Maxi Dress € 204,-, Quarry Falls Dress € 226,-, Silver Samantha Sequins Dress € 234,-

The Gift of Giving

Need some shopping inspiration for the holidays? 

Here are some tips for gifts under 10, 20 and 30 Euros:

€ 10,- and under:

Happy Key Ring - by Ordning&Reda € 9,95  

At the groceries: for kids - by Ikea (Duktig) € 7,99

Lovely Leafde

If you are looking for a shop to buy some presents, please visit "Leafde". This boutique is located on the Prinsengracht, near The 9 Streets. You'll find gifts and gadgets for young and old. Soft cuddly toys, blankets, lounge and sleep wear, postcards and many more things that will make you go "ooh and aah".

OLmoost

Last week I stumbled upon a company of an old schoolmate of mine, called: 

OLmoost sells colorful felt baby toys (30% wool), all unique and handmade. Soft, simple shapes in contrasting colours, specially made for baby eyes and hands.

American brands in the Netherlands

One thing I really miss about not living in New York anymore is the fabulous shopping. I used to go out every Friday, which was my day-off, and just go browsing through the shops. I liked that there was so much more choice in clothing brands than in the Netherlands, for women and men. And as a dyed-in-the-wool Zara and H&M shoppper, I was very happy shopping at stores, which were not European for a change. I admit, though, that sometimes the American style can be too preppy and comfy, even for my taste. But if you are in the need for basic and uncomplicated, shop the American way. 

Thanks to the globalization, I now can shop most of my favorite American brands online. Here is a list: 

Autumn at ASOS

As you might know by now, I am a big fan of online store ASOS. I love browsing that website, looking at skirts, shoes, jewelry, and okay I confess, buying a fabulous dress once in a while.

ASOS has a great own line with affordable, stylish clothes. This Autumn they haven't disappointed me at all: I found knitted dresses in warm colors, skirts with great patterns and girly party dresses. I have selected my favorites and love sharing them with you:

Massimo Dutti Amsterdam

A few weeks ago the first Massimo Dutti store was opened in Amsterdam. For those among you, who don't know what I am talking about: Massimo Dutti is a Spanish fashion brand with a classic, even a bit of a preppy, style. Besides clothes, they sell shoes, leather bags, scarves and jewelry. Like sister company Zara, prices are lower than you would expect. A Valhalla for fashion lovers!

Bon-bon-bonnets

Knitted Turban Hat £12.00

Winter is coming early this year. So why not make the most of it with these fabulous headbands and bonnets?

Uniqlo

 

May I introduce you to Japanese fashion brand Uniqlo?

Kaat loves Kiehl's

I was first introduced to Kiehl's in 2006 by a very dear friend of mine. We were studying near Lincoln Center in New York, when she took me to the Kiehl's store at Columbus Avenue. Since then, I am hooked!

Eetwinkel "Le Salonard"

Modetrend van winter 2011/2012: jaren '40 (soon available in English)

Deze modetrend kenmerkt zich door simpele lijnen, gemakkelijke stoffen en gedegen lengtes. Tegen het truttige aan. Dus graaf je grootmoeders kleding maar op, deze winter brengen we een ode aan de jaren '40! 

Een van de must haves deze winter is een blouse met zogehete "Peter Pan" kraag, zoals deze:

ASOS Double Peterpan Collar Blouse GBP30,- & Boutique by Jaeger via ASOS.com GBP150,-

Noordermarkt

De Noordermarkt op maandagochtend is al jaren een begrip in Amsterdam. Nu is het helaas niet voor iedereen weggelegd om op een doordeweekse dag te gaan winkelen, maar als je tijd hebt, neem dan eens een kijkje op de leukste markt van Amsterdam.