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?

Hermessence

Photo: Hèrmes.com

Most famous for their leather wear, one could easily forget the other items in Hermès’ luxury collection. I’m talking about their breathtakingly delicious perfumes.

I smelled their Hermessence Collection about two years ago and ever since I’m hooked. You can’t compare these fragrances to other perfumes, since they’re truly unique. They’re pure, intense and filled with all kind of scents. The Heremessence Collection, reinvented by Hèrmes perfumer Jean-Claude Eilena, consist of nine different perfumes which sound just as chique as they smell: Rose Ikebana, Osmanthe Yunnan, Brin de Réglisse, Vétiver Tonka, Iris Ukiyoé, Vanille Galante, Poivre Samarcande. Paprika Brasil, Ambre Narguilé.

My favorites are Ambre Narguilé, Poivre Samarcande, Rose Ikebana and Iris Ukiyoé (the latest addition to the collection). All of the scents are unisex and perfect to combine. So I prefer the sensual ambre with a touch of spicy pepper. Or the light and delicate rose with a savor of tangerine and orange blossom.

The Hermessence Collection is only available in Hermès boutiques.  In Holland there are two stores in Amsterdam (PC Hooftstraat 97 and Dam 1) and one in Maastricht (Stationsstraat 34). You can buy the parfum in the regular size bottles (100 ml, 170 Euro), but they also sell gift sets with four different 15 ml bottles (100 Euro). Each of the bottles get their own mini Hermès satchel and they’re put together in a signature orange box, perfect! Buy them together with your lover, best friend, mom or dad, and share, combine and spray the love.

Eco-style arm candy

www.bagladies.com

Well, this must be familiar to all of you: while your groceries are being scanned at the checkout, you realize you forgot to bring a bag with you. Again! By now, I have a huge collection of plastic bags (costing 19cents each) from the supermarket that’s still growing since I keep on forgetting to bring them with me. This is not only a waste of money, but most of all it’s just super bad for the environment.

So, are you already familiar with Bagladies? A company offering fashionable and funny alternatives to these supermarket plastic bags. The original concept was from Caroline Yates, who created a tote made of organic cotton. This ‘I am Not A Plactis Bag’-bag was designed to encourage people not to use to much plastic bags. While the orginal price was just 15 dollar, the bag is now being sold for about 400 dollars on eBay since it’s so popular.

Luckily, Bagladies isn’t that expensive, but their message is the same. Stop using plastic bags, start using ours. Their prices are between 7 and 50 Euros, which gives you a fancy bag made of 100% organic cotton.

Now, I see what you’re thinking: if you forget to bring one of your own plastic bags to the store, why wouldn’t you forget this bag as well? Well, maybe I like them so much, I can bring it with me all the time! (and I’m sure they will totally match with my grocery-shopping outfit: hoodie, all-stars, sweatpants *wink wink*)

“It is durable, environmentally friendly and will last a lifetime; the perfect plastic bag alternative. Oh and you will look incredibly stylish of course!” (Bagladies.com)

Stamp it

‘I like’. These words always remind me of the hilarious character Borat (by Sacha Baron Cohen) in the similar titled movie, who howls out “Ai Laik” every time he gets the change. More commonly known and used, is the ‘Like’-button on Facebook, which most of us use about a few times each day. With Facebook still growing bigger and bigger every day, the terms used on this social media site are slowly finding their way into the physical world. And now it’s getting even easier to express yourself in a Facebook-way with these hilarious (and also kinda absurd) stamps from Kanubi. Did you try a new recipe you loved or plan a fun night out in your agenda? Grab your “Like”-stamp! Received a high cell phone bill or a bad grade on your paper? Definitely worth a “Dislike!”-stamp!. You can buy them at Kanubi.com for about 15 Euros. And once you’re there, check out their other fun stuff as well. I really like their cute mirror stickers, handy pink ladies toolbox, choculator and sweet handwarmers.

Ps. Have you ever changed your Facebook language? It’s very entertaining! If you choose Pirate English ‘Like’ becomes ‘Arr!’ and ‘My friends’ are ‘Me hearties’! Oh and watch what happens when you switch from Dutch to Afrikaans: 'voeg de talen toe die jij spreekt' changes in 'voeg tale by wat jy kan praat' and 'mensen die jij misschien kent' becomes 'ken jy hulle?'. Don’t forget to remember with which tab you changed your language, because ‘account settings’ 

doesn’t really sounds a lot like ‘Ye Ship’s Rigging’!


Speaking of social media, add me as a friend on Facebook or follow me on Twitter!

Sentimental journey

Where’s Waldo?

Some of you might remember this, some of you might not. But for me Where’s Waldo (well, actually the Dutch version Waar is Wally?) is the ultimate childhood memory. How I loved to play this game. Since I do not own one of the Where’s Waldo books anymore, I now play the game on my Iphone (yes, there seriously is a Where’s Waldo app) and I’m still loving it.
            I might actually get myself a Where’s Waldo costume in their official online store. It must be hilarious walking trough Amsterdam , wearing a pair of blue jeans, a red and white striped shirt and a white hat, waiting for someone who shared this childhood memory and finds me.

Hint: check out the left upper corner ;)