donderdag 28 oktober 2010
Winter 2010 collection Flamant Interiors
In the Winter collection by Flamant Interiors they combine my favorite colors for a fresh but still warm interior: light green, lavender/ purple and a grayish/ beige.
zondag 24 oktober 2010
Farol Design Hotel, Cascais Portugal
Just looking for a stay near one my favorite surfing locations in Portugal (Guincho Beach) and also a great area to do some golfing or horseriding and enjoying the Portugese culture... I stumbled upon the report of Mr. & Mrs. Smith (they have the best holiday reviews) of the Farol Design Hotel and I think I found my stay!
Our weekend in Cascais on the Portuguese coast is a double quest; Mrs Smith is on the prowl for the perfect room, Mr Smith is seeking the ideal surf beach. So when we walk into Farol Design Hotel and note the view straight through to the sea, mile-wide smiles appear on our faces. For reasons too humdrum to be hinted at, we arrived worn out, irritable and craving a spot of tranquillity. Farol Design Hotel has ticked two out of three of our boxes before we’ve even taken our shoes off.
Perched on an outcrop of rock a few feet from the Atlantic Ocean, Farol’s contemporary style is the fruit of an unusual marriage: that of a traditional 19th-century Portuguese villa and a Corbusieresque extension, built to encase a slick restaurant and additional rooms. The blend of old and new is a triumph. The exterior that greeted us is white and minimalist; the interior is sleek and wood-panelled. The result is a stylish box of tricks, in which you don’t know what to expect next.
Of the hotel’s 34 bedrooms, ten are the creation of esteemed Portuguese fashion designers, such as Ana Salazar and José Antonio Tenente, hence its Design Hotel mantle. We’re excited to see what the USP of our room will be. We are spoilt with a big, blue view – 180 degrees of ocean – and although there’s no balcony, we don’t miss one, since what we do have is simply stunning: a superior mix of vintage chic and modern finish.
We’ve been booked into a suite, and we can’t help but wonder if that’s why we’ve struck gold in terms of our accommodation. As a life-long addict to all things interior-design, I have to find out what individual wonders the other bedrooms contain. I swiftly befriend a chambermaid, and Mr Smith and I get our noses around a few doors.
Our investigations reveal one space blessed with a great big bath that you could simply tumble into straight from bed – perfect for a karma-sutric weekend. Next, room 204: ‘a cross between Boogie Nights and an African safari?’ I suggest to my partner in boudoir voyeurism. ‘Now there’s a film I’d pay to see,’ says he. I peek into another dwelling, this time a blanched-out abode with floor-to-ceiling white curtains. Just as we’re feeling that the vibe here is more sanatorium than sexy sleepover, the drapes open and the need for such minimalism becomes clear. The focus is the stupendous view. (If you are a vistaholic, make sure you ask for one of the west-facing rooms, which all have wonderful panoramas over the Atlantic.)
The design savvy at Farol extends to its grounds, which are very Café del Mar. Daybeds shrouded in muslin are positioned superbly for watching the surf breaking on the rocks and the ships slowly disappearing over the horizon – a perfect retreat from the Ibiza-style pool area, where girls bobbing about in teeny bikinis hold Mr Smith’s interest. The thoughtfully designed set of private spaces means I’m able to drag him off for a more secluded, less distracted sunbathe. We colonise a grassy knoll, with beanbags crying out to be settled on for sunset, and the ubiquitous soundtrack of blissed-out beats making the perfect accompaniment.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Portuguese gastronomy. Firstly there were those delicious custard tarts from my local patisserie in London, but then I’d also heard horror stories of unidentifiable green soups and oily stews. Luckily we discover that the hotel’s restaurant, Rosa Maria, is doing wonders for its country’s international reputation. Serving up high-quality southern European dishes, and doffing its cap to national favourites, the kitchen executes everything with modern-minded finesse.
Side-stepping any what-to-have quandaries, we jump on the adventurous menu desgustación. We’re not quite courageous enough to try the Gorgonzola ice cream, but we do manage to indulge in a 20-year-old tawny port, and a cigar for señor, in the easy chairs in the opulent red library-style bar.
There is no shortage of daytime distractions to be had around the hotel. After a pretty ten-minute stroll along the seafront, we find ourselves right in the centre of Cascais. It’s a pretty, chocolate-box town that gets cooling sea breezes – no wonder Portugal’s royal family liked to retreat here from the capital during the sweltering summer months. It remains just as popular today with couples and families from Lisbon, eager for a good dose of sea air. The promenade is the ideal place to spend a few hours ambling and building up an appetite for some spicy piri-piri chicken and grilled squid on the seafront.
We still had one mission left to accomplish: our search for the perfect surf. After quizzing a few locals, we seek out Bar do Guincho, the Portuguese equivalent of a lido. A few euros gets us a good parking space and a beach a lot less crowded than many others; we shell out a smidgen more, and get an umbrella and wind-blocker thrown into the bargain. The breeze is stiff and, within seconds, Mr Smith disappears. He’s seen the sign for kite-surfing. Still, I have a secret weapon. As soon as I feel that it’s time to return to our chic retreat all I have to do is dangle that room key. Even the waves can’t compete with a splash in the hydro-massage tub, big enough for two, awaiting us back at Farol.
Dining in the hotel restaurant is a gastronomic delight in the expert hands of the master chef Vincent Farges, who has achieved a prestigious Michelin star for culinary excellence. The high level of service and ideal location – wild scenery, fabulous views and especially in the low season, peace – make this the perfect choice for a short break or special occasion.
Our weekend in Cascais on the Portuguese coast is a double quest; Mrs Smith is on the prowl for the perfect room, Mr Smith is seeking the ideal surf beach. So when we walk into Farol Design Hotel and note the view straight through to the sea, mile-wide smiles appear on our faces. For reasons too humdrum to be hinted at, we arrived worn out, irritable and craving a spot of tranquillity. Farol Design Hotel has ticked two out of three of our boxes before we’ve even taken our shoes off.
Perched on an outcrop of rock a few feet from the Atlantic Ocean, Farol’s contemporary style is the fruit of an unusual marriage: that of a traditional 19th-century Portuguese villa and a Corbusieresque extension, built to encase a slick restaurant and additional rooms. The blend of old and new is a triumph. The exterior that greeted us is white and minimalist; the interior is sleek and wood-panelled. The result is a stylish box of tricks, in which you don’t know what to expect next.
Of the hotel’s 34 bedrooms, ten are the creation of esteemed Portuguese fashion designers, such as Ana Salazar and José Antonio Tenente, hence its Design Hotel mantle. We’re excited to see what the USP of our room will be. We are spoilt with a big, blue view – 180 degrees of ocean – and although there’s no balcony, we don’t miss one, since what we do have is simply stunning: a superior mix of vintage chic and modern finish.
We’ve been booked into a suite, and we can’t help but wonder if that’s why we’ve struck gold in terms of our accommodation. As a life-long addict to all things interior-design, I have to find out what individual wonders the other bedrooms contain. I swiftly befriend a chambermaid, and Mr Smith and I get our noses around a few doors.
Our investigations reveal one space blessed with a great big bath that you could simply tumble into straight from bed – perfect for a karma-sutric weekend. Next, room 204: ‘a cross between Boogie Nights and an African safari?’ I suggest to my partner in boudoir voyeurism. ‘Now there’s a film I’d pay to see,’ says he. I peek into another dwelling, this time a blanched-out abode with floor-to-ceiling white curtains. Just as we’re feeling that the vibe here is more sanatorium than sexy sleepover, the drapes open and the need for such minimalism becomes clear. The focus is the stupendous view. (If you are a vistaholic, make sure you ask for one of the west-facing rooms, which all have wonderful panoramas over the Atlantic.)
The design savvy at Farol extends to its grounds, which are very Café del Mar. Daybeds shrouded in muslin are positioned superbly for watching the surf breaking on the rocks and the ships slowly disappearing over the horizon – a perfect retreat from the Ibiza-style pool area, where girls bobbing about in teeny bikinis hold Mr Smith’s interest. The thoughtfully designed set of private spaces means I’m able to drag him off for a more secluded, less distracted sunbathe. We colonise a grassy knoll, with beanbags crying out to be settled on for sunset, and the ubiquitous soundtrack of blissed-out beats making the perfect accompaniment.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Portuguese gastronomy. Firstly there were those delicious custard tarts from my local patisserie in London, but then I’d also heard horror stories of unidentifiable green soups and oily stews. Luckily we discover that the hotel’s restaurant, Rosa Maria, is doing wonders for its country’s international reputation. Serving up high-quality southern European dishes, and doffing its cap to national favourites, the kitchen executes everything with modern-minded finesse.
Side-stepping any what-to-have quandaries, we jump on the adventurous menu desgustación. We’re not quite courageous enough to try the Gorgonzola ice cream, but we do manage to indulge in a 20-year-old tawny port, and a cigar for señor, in the easy chairs in the opulent red library-style bar.
There is no shortage of daytime distractions to be had around the hotel. After a pretty ten-minute stroll along the seafront, we find ourselves right in the centre of Cascais. It’s a pretty, chocolate-box town that gets cooling sea breezes – no wonder Portugal’s royal family liked to retreat here from the capital during the sweltering summer months. It remains just as popular today with couples and families from Lisbon, eager for a good dose of sea air. The promenade is the ideal place to spend a few hours ambling and building up an appetite for some spicy piri-piri chicken and grilled squid on the seafront.
We still had one mission left to accomplish: our search for the perfect surf. After quizzing a few locals, we seek out Bar do Guincho, the Portuguese equivalent of a lido. A few euros gets us a good parking space and a beach a lot less crowded than many others; we shell out a smidgen more, and get an umbrella and wind-blocker thrown into the bargain. The breeze is stiff and, within seconds, Mr Smith disappears. He’s seen the sign for kite-surfing. Still, I have a secret weapon. As soon as I feel that it’s time to return to our chic retreat all I have to do is dangle that room key. Even the waves can’t compete with a splash in the hydro-massage tub, big enough for two, awaiting us back at Farol.
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| Yoga classes (private and group) @ the Farol Design Hotel |
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| Kitesurfing Guincho Beach |
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| Surfing Guincho Beach |
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| Horseriding Guincho Beach |
P.s. If you are going to visit this area please try dinner at: Hotel Fortaleza do GuinchoDining in the hotel restaurant is a gastronomic delight in the expert hands of the master chef Vincent Farges, who has achieved a prestigious Michelin star for culinary excellence. The high level of service and ideal location – wild scenery, fabulous views and especially in the low season, peace – make this the perfect choice for a short break or special occasion.
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| chef Vincent Farges |
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| Tarte fina de trufas e compota de chalotas assadas |
dinsdag 12 oktober 2010
Prada Spring Summer 2011
What is not to love about the Prada Spring Summer 2011 Collection. For me it was one of the best shows in Milan. It's vibrant, bright and happy. The colours are amazing, the accessories (shoes, bags, sunglasses) are super chic: stripes in DayGlo colors, Hawaiian cut shirts, tropical and banana prints evoking Harry Belafonte, Josephine Baker and the Caribbean.
I especially love the Monkey theme tops made out of Japanese Cotton, as you can see worn here
I especially love the Monkey theme tops made out of Japanese Cotton, as you can see worn here
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| Picture by: Jak & Jil |
zaterdag 9 oktober 2010
Bangles
When you look around more and more you can spot ... Bangles... loads of them and lots of different sizes, especially very tough sturdy looking ones, besides the bohemain earthy look.
Check out the wrists at Karl's Chanel Spring Summer 2011 show
Some streetwear ideas:
And not just for girls, check out the bangles on these guys:
Check out the wrists at Karl's Chanel Spring Summer 2011 show
Some streetwear ideas:
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| Picture by: Jak & Jil |
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| Picture by: Jak & Jil |
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| Picture by: Swagger |
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| Picture by: Swagger |
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| Picture by: Swagger |
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| Picture by: Swagger |
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| Picture by: Swagger |
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| Picture by: Swagger |
And not just for girls, check out the bangles on these guys:
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| Picture by: Swagger |
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| Picture by: Jak & Jil |
vrijdag 8 oktober 2010
Love the silhouette!
It doesn't matter if it's summer or winter,
I love this silhouette!
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| Picture by: The Sartorialist |
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| SS 2011 / Dolce & Gabbana show Picture by: The Sartorialist |
maandag 4 oktober 2010
Dean & Deluca and Momofuku
I love living in the Netherlands, sure there are always things that could better (our politics right now are a good example...) But on a whole other level... I wish I wish we had these in Holland!
Dean and Deluca chocolate-dipped Granny Smith apples
Can't make it out to the orchard to pick your own apples? Drop in to a Dean and DeLuca, and they'll more than make up for it. The go-to shop for serious gourmands is offering tart and juicy Granny Smith apples dipped in all sorts of decadently delicious toppings, from dark Belgian chocolate to crispy crushed toffee bits.
Dean and Deluca chocolate-dipped Granny Smith apples
Can't make it out to the orchard to pick your own apples? Drop in to a Dean and DeLuca, and they'll more than make up for it. The go-to shop for serious gourmands is offering tart and juicy Granny Smith apples dipped in all sorts of decadently delicious toppings, from dark Belgian chocolate to crispy crushed toffee bits.
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| Picture by: Dean and Deluca |
Momofuku apple pie cake and cookie tin
The ever-expanding Momofuku empire (which now includes such award-winning restaurants as the Noodle Bar, Ssam Bar, Ko, Milk Bar, and Ma Peche), stewarded by superstar chef David Chang, has reinvented two dessert classics at Milk Bar—apple pie and cookies.
Says Milk Bar pastry chef Christina Tosi about her apple pie cake (shown at bottom left), made from apple compote, pie-crust crumbs, and pie dough-flavored frosting held together by brown butter cream cheese filling: "One of my first memories is my grandmother's apple pie after Thanksgiving—the browned crust, the soft apple filling, and the warmth of cinnamon. I wanted to create something that used the same flavors and textures and yet was entirely new. It's a lighthearted take on a classic holiday dessert." At top left, Momofuku's creatively flavored cornflake-chocolate chip-marshmallow cookies.
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| Picture by: Momofuku |
Max Mara Iconic Camel coat
As you all probably know the Camel Coat is the classic must have for this winter's wardrobe. Max Mara have always been know for their classic's and among which is also the perfect classic camel coat.... Check out their campagne.
Do you need a little more inspiration of how to wear? Some street wear ideas:
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| Picture by: Lookbook |
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| Picture by: Lookbook |
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| Picture by: The Sartorialist |
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