26/10/2011

Who: Coco Chanel, or actually Madame Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel

Why: the person who asked ‘why?’ obviously don’t know what we’re talking about here. Why? Hellooo.. Chanel Classic 2.55 with golden hardware- that’s why!

More: Coco Chanel was a groundbreaking lady in fashion, with her garconne-look and 'misérable de luxe'-style. Or like she once said: "elegance does not consist in putting on a new dress" and "fashion fades, only style remains". Some serious wise words, right?

21/10/2011

What: fashionable drawings by Belle Knol

Who: yeah.. I kinda ask myself the same question. I saved these amazing drawings on my desktop a few weeks ago and ran into them today while 'cleaning' my images folder. And now I seriously can't find them anymore online!

Where: I'm still hoping for the golden tip!

18/10/2011

What: Pata Negra, probably my all time favorite restaurant in Amsterdam

Where: They have two locations, one on the Utrechtsestraat 124 and one at the Reinwardstraat 1 (the one I prefer!)

Happy: Whoah, happy would be some sort of understatement. Eating here makes you euphoric and overjoyed! They serve the best tapa in Amsterdam, starting with their to die for alioli with bread. Patats bravas, berenjenas y calabacin fritos, albondiga's, queso frito, yum yum yum. Predominantly Spanish staff, great music and a big can of sangria: close your eyes and you’re in Barcelona. 

Money business: Count around €20/€25 per person

14/10/2011

What: I love Vintage, a fancy vintage store with a modern twist

Where: Prinsengracht 201.

Why: They sell the perfect combination of second hand clothes and new clothes with a vintage (like '20, '30 or '70) vibe. You can also find great shoes, bags and handmade jewelry. I love Vintage also has a web shop which you can visit on a screen in their boutique. Pick the items you like and they get them for you out of their stock. That puts online shopping in a different perspective!

Très spécial: I couldn't take a picture of the back of the shop, so another reason for you to go check out their store and find out why I couldn’t..

12/10/2011

What: a perfect Friday evening meal

Where: at Perla, a wood oven pizza place in the center of the Jordaan, located at the Tweede Tuindwarsstraat 14

Why: because they absolutely make the best pizza in Amsterdam. They get their mozzarella di bufala fresh out of Napoli two times a week and their tomato sauce is just perfect. It’s always crowded and you always have to wait for your pizza, but I assure you it’s totally worth waiting for.

More: there’s only one big table inside the ‘restaurant’, but you can also eat the pizza on your lap outside or sit at the windows (and read the Italian Vogue along with a Pèrrier Citron, woopwoop).

11/10/2011

What: My favorite motivational speaker, Nike.

Why: I have some serious running issues. When I close the door behind me, all dressed up for a nice long jog, I immediately regret it. Approaching the end of the street, I'm already "f***, it's burning! F****! I can't feel my legs!"

So: Than I ask my friend Nike for some advice and he tells me stuff like 'somebody who is busier is running right now' or 'victory is paid for in sweat, courage and preparation'. And I'm like 'Yeah, you’re so true! That's why! Come one man!' and I keep on running. (most of the time..)

5/10/2011

What: Bruchetta, my all time favorite antipasti.

How: Lately I'm trying out different variations, adding some new ingredients to my 'basic recipe'. But let's start with the basic for four big bruchetta's or about ten small ones. Cut two fleshy tomatoes in pieces, add one red onion (also small pieces) and add a big clove of garlic. Put plenty of (fine) olive oil in there and make sure you add some pepper and salt as well. If you have some, please add a few leaves of chopped fresh basil, 'cause that's delicious. If not, dried basil is fine too. That’s it for the basic bruchetta mix. If you like, you can try to add some parmigano cheese, tiny slices of (preferably buffalo-) mozzarella or even some sliced red pepper. When that’s finished, get a small bow and fill it with olive oil and add two big cloves of garlic. Stir it well. (Stir it up; little darlin', stir it up. Come on, baby)

For the bread, I like to use ciabatta but thin sliced baguette will do too. Rub one side with the garlic oil you’ve made and put it in the oven for about 5/10 minutes. (It depends on your kind of oven: mine is totally untrustworthy so it depends on hís mood actually how long it takes for my bread to get a little bit brown and crispy).

Get your bread out of the oven and put some of your bruchetta mix on top of it while the bread is still warm, that makes it even better! Eat it with a fine glass of red wine, preferably sitting outside and listing to some good music :)

When: Oh what the heck, you can even make it when it’s snowing outside and eat it underneath the Christmas tree, if you like..

4/10/2011

What: The Oatmeal, I love you! (Homework says: The Oatmeal I hate you!)

Where: www.theoatmeal.com, a website filled with hilarious quizes and comics. My personal favorites? 'Ten words you need to stop misspelling', 'Minor differences part 1,2,3 and 4', Cat VS Internet', 'What it's like to own an Apple product', 'Time spent using Tupperware' and wow, many many others actually.

Why: I guarantee you, you're going to smile. Even if it's not your kind of humor (*cricketsound*), you will at least grin a little. If this ís your cup of tea, be prepared: sometimes they make me laugh so hard, I almost choke (and that’s very sexaayy).

3/10/2011

What: Vapiano, the place for fast and casual dining in Amsterdam

Where: Oosterdokskade 145, near Amsterdam Central Station

Money business: You have to pay with a 'chip card': everything you order is put on a card and when you leave the restaurant you hand in your card and you pay the bill. A pretty small bill too actually, since you pay around €8,00 for pasta's and pizza's, €4,50 for a glass of wine and about €7,00 for some antipasti. Uh-oh, did I just created a new favorite cheap-and-easy-dining-place?

And for all you Einzelgängers out there: It’s also the perfect hang-out for when you’re alone. It’s spacious bit still kinda cozy and always busy. Easy blending in!

And..: they serve delicious Illy coffee!