There's a new shop in town

Highly recommended, our new shop in Rotterdam: Flying Tiger. A mixture between Hema, Ikea and dreadful Action (sorry, Action lovers, I'm not joining), in a Scandinavian style. Last week I spent about an hour strolling along nice goodies for €1, €2 or €3,--. Go girls or visit online. They change the collection all the time, so always a reason to visit! My first buys:
1. magnetic letters 2. nice size drinking glasses  3. labyrinth money box (great to get it opened!)  4. hair accessories  5. elastic and nylon thread  6. tape, tape and velours ribbon  7. postcards  8. sticky notes  9. printed linen bag
Are you a fan too?

Just a tip

Sorry, but because we are having quite a cultural weekend, this post is about some Dutch tips and will be in Dutch.
Vanochtend gingen we naar de film, naar Het Mannetje van de Maan en ik kan het niet laten hierover te bloggen: zo'n aanrader! Dus pak de kinderen bij de hand en ga!
Gisteren ging ik met L naar Gaultier in de Kunsthal, ook een aanrader. L keek naar de gezichten, ik naar de jurken. Genoten!

Not by me

No sewing for me this weekend. On Saturday skates were more important. We loved to be on the beautiful Rottemeren, but... the ice quality was getting worse and worse, so in the end one could only speak of gliding instead of skating. And oh, we crashed a lot! Too bad to finish the skate season like this.
Totally cold and a bit disappointed I returned back home. Like a child I loved to see the little package brought by the post.

Ik ben Vink told me I had won her give-away and there it was! No, M and no, L, this present is mine, I told my daughters, who surrounded me while unwrapping.

So the sewing was done for me! I just had to lay back en enjoy ;). Look what made everything complete!

I'm so happy and... a huge fan of Vink for a long time already. This and this are some of my favorite pieces of her. You agree, don't you?

Like Irene Hoofs

Today I will post (just like bkids ;)) a few of this week's Sinterklaas gifts, that -I think- might inspire you for X-mas. Although some of them are really Dutch... enjoy!

Above some gifts for L of nearly 7: 1. ceramic pink bird broche  2. jumping rope per meter  3. beads box with beads  4. origami paper  5. super soft mole plushie  6. doll's house sticker book via here  7. first reading book Mol en mus  8. FiveFinger shoes (just like her father)

Above some gifts for M of 11: 1. teenager t-shirt with kisses 2. shawl  3. mix & match stationery  4. envelope template  5. Dairy of Anne Frank with self-made cover 6. no plastic no silicon watch

Yellow

If I ever would get the opportunity to meet the designer of these tubes, I would embrace him or her. These great colored and graphic designed beauties we use quite often and every time I love to see and use them again. Wounds are a pleasure to treat by now!

Sam and Julia

This is M, reading a book to her sister in the train last Sunday.
After our Christmas diner in the office we were invited to shop for a book in one of the meeting rooms: a Christmas present. Such a great idea. I chose some books; among them was this one: 'het Muizenhuis'. It's a book to be recommended and the Mouse Mansion is becoming a worldwide hit indeed! It's L's favorite.

Last Sunday we had a day off trip to Amsterdam. For M we went to see the Anne Frank House. To do L a favor we went to see another house: het Muizenhuis, exposed in the public library of Amsterdam. I'm talking about a sort of giant dollhouse, but populated by mice families and used as a scenery for the mentioned book. Look at this, get inspired by googling 'het Muizenhuis' or watch this video. This you can read on the blog of Karina Schaapman, the author/designer/creator:
'The Mouse Mansion - Sam and Julia' is based on The Mouse Mansion. An art project created by myself to form the scenery of this book, and many more following. The Mouse Mansion is made out of cardboard boxes and papier-mache and all kinds of waste material. You can actually walk around The Mouse Mansion because it has a front, back and side. The Mouse Mansion counts more than a hundred rooms, alleys and outdoor spaces. The story is written by myself and the mice are also created by myself.

When you are in the neighbourhood, you should go and take a look. We spent much more time then planned staring into all rooms filled with tiny details. Amazing!

Being pampered

Back home from Denmark, very satisfied. Here's a brief summary for you. We went with 20 interior architects to see the factory of Fritz Hansen, a brand you all know from Arne Jacobsen's Egg and 3107. Right above the seat of the 3107 is being born.

Hometowngirl

Last Saturday I bought two (!) new dresses. The silk one above (which is consiously shown unsharp ;)) is designed by a for me up till now unknown hometowngirl: Monique van Heist. After some research on internet, I discovered she's kind of spectacular in the fashion world: she won several awards. I can imagine, because I'm so happy with this dress!

Then a question. In my favorite fashion shop in Rotterdam I was recommended to wear my low boots with bare legs to a wedding which I attended Saturday evening. I felt quite comfortable, but what do you think?

Finally, the beautiful body on the right is certainly not mine. The bride's sister was wearing this dress. A better look at her dress brought me to the idea to sew copy (new English word?) this model some day. Of course I'll keep you posted.

Local inspiration

Our eldest daughter M is (like so many other children in Rotterdam) a member of Circus Rotjeknor. This sunday afternoon we went to the theater to see and enjoy the acts of the most talented kids of this youth circus. And...
Last sunday we visited Villa Zebra. The kids did a workshop making a shoebox scene about their parents, so about us. One of my birthday presents was this book, which I recommend, at least to all Rotterdam based mothers who want to spend crafty afternoons with their children.

Great woman

Last Friday I visited the very popular exhibition of Hella Jongerius in Boijmans van Beuningen, the main museum in Rotterdam. Ad, a dear friend, knew he had to take me with him. I so loved to be there! Little L too, she had to search for our vase!
Hella is fabulous with designs and colors. I couldn't resist to make these pics and to buy her corresponding book. After all it's my birthday today ;). But when you click on this link you have a very fine and much better overview of her work.

Back home I finally embroidered her Ikea vase.

Recommended

To stay with Annekata, on her blog I 'met' one of her inspiration sources: Nuno Magazine, where I copied this beautiful lightbluegrey image from. I would like to introduce this magazine to you, for I was struck by the beauty of so many diy objects. Just go to this preview if you want to get triggered like me. The featured egg carton wall art, the finger puppets and do you see that knitted purse, it's all lovely! Don't you agree?
Thanks to Heather of Nuno Magazine I had a glance through their fall issue. Now I'm happy and certainly up for the winter issue!

Inspiration

Do you love this image like I do? It's the wardrobe of the Hermitage for Children in Amsterdam, designed by Merkx + Girod. 

The image inspired me to make something in our house, but really not so beautiful as done here! I'm going to show you what I made, so stay tuned...