Look book; Essentiel

Hi readers, Last time I was in Brussels I discovered a Belgian designer and I love his collections! My last outfit post I was wearing a skirt of his (here). Now I just wanted to share his latest look book (fall/winter 2011). I love all the color combinations and design of clothing, it's feminine yet powerful. At the moment his brand Essentiel is only available in a few EU cities, but if you happen to be there, his store is worth visiting.

Outfit Post; Drapey Skirt

Hi lovely readers, I got this skirt on my last trip to Brussels. It's from a Designer from Antwerp. I thought the colors and the way it drapes is awesome! Lately it has been very windy here in Amsterdam. I believe the summer is pretty much over unfortunately. But Fortunately we have the nice autumn colors to look out to. The other day I saw the first brown leaves on the floor. Besides the wind and rain, I actually like autumn. I remember the first year I moved to Amsterdam, the first brown leave that flew right into me, I remember where I was walking and how I though how awesome it was. (growing up on a small island in the Caribbean, I had no idea about seasons changing). Wish everybody can see the best of autumn and keep on smiling trough wind and rain! :) XO

Skirt; Essentiel, Bag Thrifted vintage, Blazer; Banana Republic, Boots; Hive and Honey

Outfit Inspiration; Autumn color pallet

Slowly but surely I have been drawn to autumn-y colors more and more. My color pallet will look a little like this. Colors like; Rust, Burgundy and mustard yellow, combined with camel, cobalt blue and neutral tribal inspired pieces. Shoes should be a bit chunky. Chunky heeled booties, platform sandals and wedges worn solo or with (wool/nylon) socks. Hope I could inspire you :) XO

From Left to Right

Blue Shirt; Zara E29.95

Knit; Zara E29.95

Embellishes T-shirt; Topshop E110

Mustard Yellow & Burgundy Jeans; Zara E39.95

Rust trousers; Pimkie E35.99

Booties; H&M  E39.95

Platform heels; ASOS E52

Wedges; ASOS E83

Outfit Post; Not so primary colors

Hi lovlies, my outfit from a few days ago. I threw this on, but I actually stayed in crafting and sewing that day. Summer has not been very summery here in Holland and at times it feels like autumn already. Very excited for "new wardrobe", besides I'm slowly already shifting away from the summer colors and slowly into autumn-y colors.

One of the "peek-a-booh top + tank", I wore the other one "here" (H&M).

Skirt (DIY) Wedges (Marc Fisher) Cross body (Vintage)

My necklace and bracelet are DIY's. I've been making lots of those colorful bracelets, combining different contrasting colors. Incorporating hardware into jewelry has also been fun. I found this piece of piping in my toolbox, it must have been a left over from working on the house. It's kind of coppery/rosy so I combined it with a popping yellow rope.  

Dedication: Lollapalooza

One thing I really want, is to go to Lollapalooza one time. We will make it happen next year! but for now a little dedication post for coming weekend. The Vogue Lollapalooza 2011 playlist, even if you can't make it this year, Vogue shares some awesome music, I've been playing this playlist over and over :) And some fashionable groupies from last year's palooza. If you do make it this year, Vogue has a Chicago guide  for where to go and what to eat. For now, hope to see you next year for Lollapalooza '12. XO

Outfit Post; Feels like Fall

Hi lovely readers, here my outfit from passed weekend. Holland is known for it's notorious weather and saturday it felt like it was fall. Grey skies and lots of wind, hence the dark clothes. I wanted to try something new, so I layered my jeans shirt under a cashmere weather, playing down "the preppy" (polo under seater). My boyfriend and I had lunch at a place that serves amazing clubs! It's a tiny hidden gem, nothing fancy, but oh so delish! so if you ever get the chance to go to Vennington, order a club :) XO

Bracelet; DIY, Ring; BCBG

Scarf; DIY H&M, Bag; Michel Kors, Jeans shirt; Primark, Sweater; Uniqlo, Boots; H&M

Outfit Post + DIY;Top Splattered jeans

Hi lovelies, lately I have been very busy with DIY's. A lot of them I went out to get supplies etc., but last week I instantly thought of this one. I was tired of my plain old jeans, so I added silver splatters to it.

Top; Primark, Jeans; DIY, Uniqlo, Shoes; Ganni, Neckless; DIY H&M, Bag; Benneton

I just used silver paint I had left over from a wall I painted, watered it down so it would be easier to splash. With a hard brush, and a (chop) stick, flicking the paintbrush against it creating a splattered effect.

Good sunday project, don't ya think ;) XO

Home made Spreads, yumm

Hi lovely readers, for the girls night I hosted a few weeks ago I made some spreads from scratch to snack on while crafting. I made 3 different spreads, a fig spread, oven-dried tomato topping and a walnut and roasted pepper spread. It is quite easy to make and it looks a lot fancier then just a cheese platter. 

The fig spread

Ingredients;

+/- 6 figs (cut in parts)

2 tablespoons red wine

2 table spoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons water

2 fresh lemon peels 

Put everything to simmer on a medium-low heat, stir a bit till thickened. Let it cool (you could cut figs even smaller)

The tomato topping

-Tomatoes

-Fresh thyme

-Yummie olive oil

Cut the tomatoes in parts, lay on a oven sheet, crush salt over them and let it sit for 15 mins. pop them in the oven (180*C) till dried but yet juicy. It differs with different kinds of tomatoes so just keep an eye on it ;) Put them in a bowl when done, drizzle some good olive oil over it and chopped fresh thyme.

The walnut and roasted pepper spread

Toasted walnuts

Lemon juice

Walnut oil

Olive oil

Roasted red bell pepper 

Fresh chopped parsley

Unfortunately I winged this one, so I can't give exact measures. Put all of the above, minus the parsley in the food processor. Move into bowl and spoon through the chopped parsley.

Fresh parsley from my herb garden

Et voila! They are nice to eat on crostini's with charcuterie and cheeses like prosciutto and soft goat cheese. Enjoy! XO

Outfit Post; Modern classics

Dear readers, I threw on this outfit to have lunch with my girlfriends and run some errands. It ended up turning into a lunch, turned happy hour turned dinner. I had a great afternoon catching up with my friends I hadn't seen in a while. 

Sweater; Zara, Sleeveless Trench; DIY (OLD Wet Seal) Wedges; New Look, Bag; Vintage, 

Neckless; Target, Sunnies; Michael Kors

Less then an hour later, I had another ladybug on the table right in front of me and my boyfriend also had a second run in with a ladybug that same day :)

 Thanks for reading, XO