shak-shuka

Make Your Own Lamp (no, really!)

Have I shared with you my recent theory on beginning to decorate a house? Well I may not be an interior designer, but I have my way with a few things, and designing and distraction might be my best asset yet! Since moving into our new house, we have struggled to move out of the freshly painted/pile of boxes phase, and into a proper, livable house. One of the first steps that I took to take us from shabby to shabby chic was to investigate our lighting options. I find that having beautiful lighting above tends to keep people looking up and in awe of your decorating abilities, even though your flooring is coming undone under their feet. Think of it as building an outfit around shoes and working your way up (or in this case, down!).

By far one of the coolest, and greenest options that I've found for lighing has to be from the Polish design studio Make Your Lamp. Just as it sounds, this lamp is customizable, and made from completely recycled paper, giving it a one-of-a-kind look. They encourage you to buy a lamp that is suitable for your home, and decorate, cut, snip and make it your own so that you can have bragging rights that you are now a lighting expert (which we knew all along, clearly). There are some ready-made options, but I much prefer the "naked" look of the raw, paperboard hanging lampshades. Best of all? Their price is extremely wallet-friendly at about €33 for the medium size, so you don't have to feel guilty if you mess up the first one and need to buy another! I just love the concept of Make Your Lamp encouraging recycling, designing, and affordability all in one!

Rotterdam (Eat, Shop, Look) Guide

image courtesy of: inspiringcities.org

Sure, sure - there are a million guides to Amsterdam and it's charming canals, houses, tiny alleyways and coffeeshops. But not many people visit Rotterdam except for the architectural students, which is a shame because this city really does have a lot to offer. Just think of it - tourist-free streets in a major European city! Rotterdam is also a very kid-friendly city, and there is a lot of space to run around, ride your bike, or just wander around, which we think is the best way to get to know a city!

Places to visit:

Erasmus Bridge

Very long extension bridge that connects two parts of the city - quite nice to look at, and surely an architectural/engineering wonder.

Euromast

Supposedly the highest needle-esque building in Europe - we'll take their word for it! It's one of those places that if you live somewhere you never visit yourself until you have guests, then you remember how cool your city is when you see it from that height!

Hotel NY

The point from which many people left for the shores of America, this place holds a special place in many people's hearts. The location is beautiful, although the restaurant rides a bit on the reputation of the place and doesn't really offer much substance.

Cube Houses

Funny - yes. Desirable to live in - not so much. These unsual cube houses are a real treat for kids to visit, and you'll marvel at how they made them, and more so how people actually live in them! Next to the large library it makes a nice day trip with the kids.

Places to Eat:

Picknick

An industrial "un-done" interior setting for simple foods like sandwiches, soups and teas. If you like the mix of sweet and salty (think cheese and fruit purees) then this place is for you. Super busy on the weekends.

UEB

This used to one of my old haunts that I don't get to go to often enough. They make a great soy latte and have just opened a new location in my old'hood in the city: Nieuwe Binnenweg - which has a lot of business, stores and interesting things happening now.

Lof der Zoetheid

Located not too far from where I live, this corner-cafe has a great mix of sandwiches, proper tea time rituals and amazing sweets to tempt you. Old school chairs mixed with menus that have vintage black and white photos add to the allure of this (very rarely open!) spot.

Bagel Bakery

If you're around in Rotterdam on a Sunday, you are more than likely to find me here, having my usual: hummus bagel with mint tea and the (perfectly salted) soup of the day. Always busy, always fresh, always a pleasure to have a taste of "NYC deli" in Rotterdam. Plus they have real shakshuka on the menu!

La Pizza

Hands-down the best place in Rotterdam for pizza. Authentic wood-burning ovens and Italians flipping the dough, this is a gem in the sea of pizza restaurants that haunt the city. Undeniably fun and chic, it's well worth the wait (nearly an hour every time we go!), as long as you're sipping wine or beer to pass the time (and thus forget the long wait...)

Smaak van Afrika

This place holds a special place in my heart as I went into labor soon after eating there! Delicious Ethiopian food on injeera will delight those in search of something a bit different, yet authentic. Never too spicy, I love the combination of the vegetarian set meal, fuul for appetizer, followed by a beer served in a gourd-cup.

Mangiare

Fresh, fresh, fresh is the name of this spot (actually, not true - the name means "to eat" in Italian) but everything tastes like the sun kissed it, which is a rarity in these neck of the woods. Not a menu in sight, but the staff are happy to help and accomodate even strange eating habits (like mine). 

Places to Shop:

BonBon on the Block

Besides being owned by the coolest Dutch duo around, this is also the place to shop if you've got a kiddo to buy for. Kids love all the delights at their height (Lil'Miss loves the cutlery and toys), while the parents have the pick of the litter with uber-cool brands for urban chic kiddos like yours. A must-visit.

Zomers

Even if you have a black thumb like me, have a gander in this gorgeous shop that'll make you feel like it's Valentine's Day 365 days a year. Florist heaven, with some rare gem of knickknacks to catch your eye (and empty your pockets).

Studio Hergebruik

If you love all things recycled, repurposed and refashioned, then this shop is for you. A combination of an atelier and gallery for eco-minded artists, this is a great place to pick up something a bit offbeat for yourself or someone else. I personally love the unusual housewares and bags I didn't even know I needed!

Depot Rotterdam

This is a store that (interior decorating) dreams are made of - everything from the walls to the furniture to the nails in the floor will leave you drooling to re-do your apartment. What's great is the owner is totally down-to-earth and unassuming so no need to feel weird browsing time and time again before you make that big splurge you've been wanting to make for months (or years).

 

These streets are excellent for a bit of wandering, daydreaming, and of course - spending:

Van Oldebarneveldtstraat

Witte de Withstraat

Nieuwe Binnenweg

 

Love to Love Coq en Pate

When we were at Kleine Fabriek a few months ago (or was it only weeks? I'm losing track now...) we ran into some brands we know and love, and some we loved but had forgotten somehow - how can that be? Usually we're quite good about hunting down, contacting and having a brand in house in less than 10 days. In fact, we pride ourselves on that, but sometimes we get a little "human" and get sidetracked....

We're so glad to have Coq en Pate's organic and ethical products at Shak-Shuka. Like falling in love all over again, Coq en Pate has extended their range to include toys that take a unique spin on children's items giving them an entirely new look. Traditional books have met their match with these amazing bilingual (for added "ooh" factor), educational (letter, shapes, colors OH MY!), organic (enter green "ooh" here too), Fabric Books that you can feel safe about baby gnawing on. And for the older kiddos, the Animal Organic Tee + Mask Sets are seriously over-the-top and ready for a mini zoo in home with the packaging (that is biodedgradable BTW!) that turns into a mini theatre. Coq en Pate has expanded well beyond the backpacks and pencil cases of yore, and the results are stunning. Come Fall we will have their new line of organic backpacks, suitcases (seriously, you will die they are so cute) and pencil cases. All ready for back to school and I have a hunch that they will make it onto some parent's wish lists too. Just too darn cute to pass up.....

Invisible Zinc=Visible Results

A few weeks ago I went for a facial and the esthetician had me put my head into this small booth where it had a special blacklight so that I (more like she) could see the state of my skin. I pride myself on the fact that I've taken care of my skin ever since I can remember - washing gently, lots of cream to stay soft, and sunscreen everyday, no mattter the weather. I was not prepared for the mirror inside that blacklit booth for the sunspotted face in front of me! AGH! I was somewhat comforted by the esthetician telling me that my skin actually looked really good in comparison to the average person. Scary!

Clearly I can't go back in time, but I can make sure that I prevent any more damage from happening. Even though we have about 40 days of sunshine here in Holland, that doesn't mean our BFF the sun isn't working it's magic on our skin. When looking for proper facial sunscreen, I think it's best to look to the experts in the Southern Hemisphere who have the strongest sun in the world (or at least in my opinion). Invisible Zinc is an Australian brand of sunscreen that is exactly that - invisible zinc, which means it's one of the safest and most natural ways to create a physical barrier between you and the sun. Rather than absorb the suns rays, zinc oxide repels the rays, meaning it's a much more powerful protectant for the skin. Invisible Zinc is even endorsed by Aussit hottie Elle "the Body" Macpherson, so you know it has to be good (tee-hee!). There are a myriad of choices to choose from, but I think the simplest is to stick to your regular skincare routine, and top it off with a little Face+Body Sunscreen. Of course you can go crazy with the variety of choices that Invisible Zinc has to offer, but starting simple is good, and will prevent a horror film reaction if you get a facial like I did!

Hol(e)y Sweater? Woolfiller to the Rescue

There are times when I really enjoy living in the Netherlands: passing by tulips fields on the train headed for Amsterdam, riding my bike everywhere and anywhere, and the Dutch design that is available in stores and in magazines. I really have to say I quite like modern Dutch design - it's not as rigid as Scandinavian design, and it has a rustic, almost goofy edge to it. I'm not an artist or designer by any means, I just know what I do/n't like!

One of the goofiest, coolest things that I've seen in a while popped up on my screen (and from the NL) a few weeks ago: Woolfiller. It is just like it sounds - it fills the holes in your (woolen) sweater with, well - wool! I don't know about you, but I have nearly a drawer full of sweaters with varying degrees of hole-y-ness, and yet I can't seem to manage to get rid of them. Maybe I've been waiting for Woolfiller to come to the rescue? I can't properly do it justice by writing about it, so it's best you just watch the video for yourself. Think of it as a rubbing, pricking way to get a fuzzy woolen patch (in a variety of colors) for the hol(e)y sweater you've been treasuring - and gives it new life as a kind of "geek chic" look. Perhaps not for everyone, but I sure think that Woolfiller does a great job of making the landfill a fuller place - that gets two green thumbs up from me!

 

Must-Have MIRO Bags

So remember how I said I am NOT a bag kind of lady? Well, just stop listening to me. Although that's not necessarily true, as I really don't like carrying bags - if given the option, I would stuff everything in my pockets, even if I end up looking like a "hips don't lie" Bozzo the Clown.

But if I do have to carry a bag, I have decided that it needs to be a painfully stylish one that will last me for ages. Think "heirloom, past it down through the generations" material. I've given away most of my "what was I thinking?" bags, and now am on the hunt for classic finds that I can perch on my Made by Gup tree branch that will sit in our bedroom soon! Good thing I'm always searching online, as I ran into these beauties by MIRO - a Dutch duo that makes all their bags by hand, and using leftover fabric nonetheless. I really love the organic, sack-like quality of the bags, and of course - the main feature of these bags is the versatility of the handles. One of my biggest biffs that I have with bags is that I (ideally) would like to change from a shoulder bag to a hand-held bag depending on how much stuff I was schlepping around that day. The MIRO bags allow you to do just that: there is one longer part for an "over the shoulder" look, and then there is a shorter side for the "OMG how am I carrying this much stuff" look. Love it, love it, love it. Now, my only issue comes down to this: the large Black is sold out, so do I do the Seersucker for summer, or will I be regretting it? Nah, I'll just get both - I need some instant gratification as well as something to look forward to!

Fun Valentine's Day Ideas

 

I'm making a Monday exception and instead of writing about my Obsession of the Week, I'm going to share with you some great (last-minute for those of us, eh-hem, that are on a time crunch) V-day ideas. Yes, none of them are mine (surprise surprise!) but I intend to try my hand at most of them in hopes that in the end someone will feel the love and at least appreciate my effort.

If you love the look of handmade cards, and would like the kids to make some for their friends, this is a great alternative to store-bought. You could use some old pics and I just know there is not a child alive that could resist a glitter/glue combo.

Leave it to none other than the reigning Green King himself Danny Seo to make those horrid perfume pages in magazines cool and chic. Skip the trashy bouquet at the 24 hour store on the corner, and whip up a batch of Perfume Flowers with the kids as you rummage through your old Vogue and In Style mags.

Of course, the only part of Valentine's Day that I really like is that dinner part. Now that we are a plus one family though, that means we're dining a la trois. No problem, I'll whip up a nice dinner, and make these delicious looking Peanut Butter Bonbons. Even though we're in a Triscuit-free country, I plan on making these babies with none other than my fall-back item: matzah. Oy yeah.

 

DIY: Wee Art Gallery

(photo of Lil'Miss adjusting her artwork to her own taste, which is ever-changing)

If your child is around the same age as Lil'Miss, you'll feel me: they go to pre-school, learn songs, how to share, play well with others, and heaven oh mighty, they learn to craft it up BIG time. Nearly every day she comes home with some new prized possession, even better than the last, and even though we have a big new house, we don't have anywhere to display it. I feel bad creating a mini file folder that never gets seen, and when it does (by Lil'Miss) it ends in everything being ripped to shreds. HELP!
Leave it to the internet to give me a wonderful, and dare I say stylish solution? Thanks to the peeps at Ohdeedoh and Style Files, all you need is one trip to IKEA to turn your stack of kiddie artwork into a bonafide eye-popper. Simply find a blank wall, use the curtain rods and clips from IKEA and voila! You have an instant "underground" gallery worthy of visitors sipping champagne and appetizers being passed around. Or maybe just cookies and milk as you gave up from your couch at the evolution of your child's artwork - like we do!

Melissa Mini Fashionista Footwear

While I was in London the other week for "work" (I use that term loosely as too much fun was had for it to be considered work), I had a bit of time to do a wee bit of shopping (enter roaring laughter here). I was lucky to have one of my favorite partner's in crime, my bestie from NYC who knows how to whip in/out of stores in record time, but also pause for contemplation when faced with a very serious purchase.

Many shops were having tantalizing sales, and I was able to scoop up a final pair of Swedish Hasbeens that had been missing from my (growing) collection. But what was placed in the window for all to see? These adorable, beyond words, cute shoes for girls. As my jaw dropped looking at them, I realized that I had seen them before somewhere - ah, that's right - the Ecouterre website featured them a few weeks ago and I had said to myself "if I ever see those shoes, I'm SO getting them for Lil'Miss". Well, I didn't - not because I didn't love them, but because I was in fear of choosing the wrong style/size and hearing about it for weeks on end (Lil'Miss has become very Suri-Cruise-esque when it comes to dressing herself). There are 4 styles to choose from, and they are not your usual run-of-the-mill plastic shoes: these are made by Melissa Plastic Dreams who uses an alternative form of PVC that is recyclable, breathable and non-toxic. And oh, did we happen to mention that these mini beauties are the brainchild of Vivienne Westwood? Oh yes, that explains the price tag as well (in the UK I spotted them for 60GBP and in the US $100) which may make you pause for contemplation but once you clamp eyes, then your little girl sees them, I think you'll be hard pressed to pass on them.

Sleeping Beauty Serum

In London last week, I hit my favorite usual spots: shops, health food stores (remember they have a version of Whole Foods there - Fresh&Wild) and of course, plenty of restaurants. Upon returning, i barely ate on the train ride home, which is rare for me as I am a big "nosher" - it was a bit of detox I think. I hate officially eaten and shopped myself silly.

One of the first places that I hit up was Neal's Yard Remedies. You've heard me rave about them before, and this time was no exception. The store was jam-packed since it was a weekend, but that didn't phase me as I had my shopping game-face on, and was ready to rumble. Plus, Neal's Yard shoppers are generally nicer than others. I sniffed, I rubbed, I schmeered, I found creams, lotions, potions, and soaps. But there was one new item that I had peaked on the site and seen was "coming soon' that I had to have. I asked the sales assistant there and made a fool of myself calling it the "Sleeping Beauty Serum" but thank goodness she knew what I meant and went to grab me the very - last - sample. Be still my beating heart! It was the tiniest jar of Beauty Sleep Concentrate, and it was mine! The Concentrate wasn't in stock for a few days, making me think about changing my ticket home!  Instead, I felt like I could barely wait until nighttime to use it, but I did, and boy was I impressed with the results. My skin not only felt amazing after I put it on, but it smelled great too. The next morning dare I say I looked fresh and dewy, even after only 5 hours of sleep? Why yes, I did! Beauty Sleep Concentrate should be called something closer to Sleeping Beauty Concentrate, because that is pretty much the effect you see the next morning!