Spelfenmeisje

Stijlish: Platform Heels and Wedges...

2011-05-05T15:27:00.001+02:00

To give you an idea of what my new blog will look like... here's the latest post on Stijlish!

Biarritz printed linen wedge sandal by Theodora and Callum via net-a-porter. Wide-heeled satin sandal by Zara. Pink wedge heel sandal by Zara.

I found a lovely pair of vintage, wide leg trousers this weekend, but of course just didn't have the right shoes to wear them with. I decided a pair of 1970s inspired platform heels or wedges would be the perfect match for the trousers and preferably just a very simple pair. That was until I saw a pair in leopard print… and a pair in bright pink… and in a floral print… and now I just can’t choose!

Ik heb dit weekend een beeldige, vintage broek gevonden met wijde pijpen, maar had uiteraard niet het juiste paar schoenen om erbij aan te doen. Ik besloot dat een paar jaren 70 geïnspireerde plateauzolen of –hakken perfect zouden zijn en het liefst een heel simpel paar. Dat was tot ik een enig paar in luipaardprint zag… en een paar in felroze… en met bloemenmotief… en nu kan ik niet meer kiezen!

Leather wedge platform heel by Mango. Grey platform heel sandals by Seven Seconds via Zalando.

Leopard print wedge heel sandal by River Island via Asos. Leopard print platform heel sandal by Seven seconds via Zalando.

Gold Bar wedge by Betsey Johnson via Modcloth. Gipsy Chyc suede block sandals by Yves Saint Laurent via Net-a-porter.

Floral wedge heel sandals both by Steve Madden.

New blog... Stijlish

2011-05-04T18:52:00.000+02:00

I recently started a new blog called Stijlish... The title is a little mix of Dutch and English and I will actually be blogging in both languages too. I'll still be keeping this blog, but the new one will be mainly fashion related. It would be cool to bring a mix of mainstream fashion, handmade and street style, so please come check it out!

And the winner is...

2011-02-08T21:46:00.000+01:00

I just added the comments on my blog and on facebook, took a trip to random.org and got the magic number 15! Congratulations to Shawna Bird!! I'll be contacting you to get your shipping details :)

January Giveaway!

2011-01-16T15:14:00.007+01:00

This January I will be giving away this lovely, vintage, tan, clutch purse. You can find more pictures and a full description of the purse here.

All you have to do to win this purse is leave a comment to this post. If you want to double your chances, you can leave a comment on the same post at our facebook page too. At the end of the month we'll add all of the entries and pick a random winner. Good luck!

Two Weeks Into The New Year!

2011-01-13T21:16:00.011+01:00

A very late Happy New Year to you all!! I hope you all had great holidays and are already giving it your best in the new year :) I had a great time during the holidays! First visiting my family in a very snowed under Belgium for Christmas, then off to England to visit family and friends of my boyfriend and finally... Toronto and New York!!

I had never been to Canada before and I was only there very briefly, but what a wonderful place! We had a stroll down Queens Street in Toronto and there were so many little indie and vintage shops, art galleries and cosy coffee shops. I was really pleasantly surprised :)

And New York was just amazing too! We arrived just days after the big blizzard and there were still huge heaps of snow on the sides of the pavements, but it was so sunny. I woke up on the 1st seeing a bright blue sky :)

We had a walk around the city and I got to discover new areas I hadn't been to before and we basically just overindulged in all the good food! Pancakes with maple syrup, East and West coast oysters, baby back ribs, pulled pork, huge steaks... Had a spa morning with a facial and on the last day went shopping and as a souvenir I brought back a black, merino wool jumper with keyhole cutouts from Brooklyn Industries.

December Giveaway!!

2010-12-11T14:59:00.006+01:00

As I promised yesterday, I'll be hosting my very first giveaway this December! Yay!! And what do I have to offer you this month....

That's right! This beautiful, black clutch! You can read the full description and see more pictures here. So what do you have to do to win this lovely, little purse? Come join us on facebook and let us know which event you would take this clutch to! That's it! I'll then randomly pick a winner from all the entries at the end of the month!

I'm back!!

2010-12-11T01:00:00.006+01:00

Hey everyone! Once again it's been ages since I posted on my dearest, little blog... yes, I know. I really wanted to come by and say THANK you, though!

Thank you to my 51 followers still hanging in there waiting for some new content and thank you to all you vintage enthusiasts who helped make november my most successful month to date! As a token of my gratitude to you all, and just because it's fun, I've decided to host a monthly giveaway! For now it will just be some of my favourite vintage picks, but maybe I'll be adding some cute handmade items to that list in the near future too...

You can now also find a few more exclusive, designer pieces in my store, such as a plaid Courrèges skirt, a Guy Laroche blouse or a black velvet YSL skirt. I know not everyone has a budget for these items, so I'll keep doing my best to also find gorgeous, affordable treasures.

And for the giveaway... come check back tomorrow!

Fifties Pink!

2010-01-21T15:20:00.008+01:00

I adore the fifties. I adore all things pink. Combine the two and it's never ending love! I found this beautiful fifties party dress on Etsy at Allencompanyinc. Sadly it already sold, but then again what would you expect... Check out their shop for lots of other vintage goodies!

Not only did they have the prettiest and most flattering dresses in the fifties... They also had cardigans. And really cute ones! You can find this lovely pink knit cardigan at Heartcity. It's only 9 dollars! If it was my size, it would have already been mine...

And it's not just the pretty clothes. Even the most everyday items, like these rubber tip bobby pins, came with a certain sense of elegance. You can find more of these at ArchipelagoVintage.

And I haven't even mentioned all the lovely deco, furniture and kitchenware yet! All in fun shapes, patterns and colours... Just look at this fabulous enamel frying pan from RandomRetro.

And these cute little casserole dishes, which you can find at MyVintagePad.

This funky magazine holder from FabulousMess would still look good in any modern interior.

And last but not least... A super cute baby shower game - it were the fifties after all! You can also find these in blue at VintageDistractions.

It's been 6 months?!

2010-01-21T01:57:00.008+01:00

Shame on me! There really is no excuse! I do, however, still get to wish you all a happy new year :) Yay!! I only remember making one resolution for this year, so I guess there's plenty of space on my list to add 'keeping this place up to date'. I somewhat remember writing my resolutions for 2009 down here, so I could look back at them at see how things went. Well, there's no better time and I guess it'll help fill you guys in on what's been going on the last couple of moths...

1. Put more effort into my uni work and pass my exams.
2. Finish my thesis by September and hopefully graduate with a decent mark.

Those two kind of went hand in hand and I can proudly say I managed to fulfill both of them.I now have a master in law (with distinction -> I'll never get tired of saying that! hihi!!).

3. Keep working on my language skills - german and french on the top of that list.

So after I graduated in Belgium I decided to move back to Berlin.

That's where I am now, so it's no surprise that yes, I have been working on my german and, yes, I'm taking french courses here too. Not that I've improved all that much, but I'm working on it...

4. Figure out what I want to do after graduation...

Ok, so that's a tricky one! I'd love to do an extra specialization next year, but I need work experience to get accepted. Moving to Berlin, with its notorious unemployment rates, might not have been the smartest move... definitely not as I haven't actually mastered the german language yet. I'll try get my hands on an internship nonetheless and see how it goes.

5. Spend plenty of time with family, friends and boyfriend.

Well, I spent plenty of time with my family while I was at home finishing my studies and then spent plenty of time with the bf when I moved back to Berlin. Probably should have spent more time with some old friends before moving, but was sadly a little preoccupied. On the upside, I've already met some really interesting and fun people here in my german course.

6. Get my driver's license.

Half way there! Does that count? Passed the theory test and took classes - get to drive around on my own, but only in Belgium. Seeing how I live in Berlin now, that does pose a bit of a problem...

7. Get better at pattern drawing and sewing.

Not really done much of both... maybe time to go back to my sewing classes. I will actually be taking a goldsmith's class soon - not quite sure how that happened, to be honest. Just sounded fun, I guess :)

8. Eat healthier and learn how to cook a little

Haven't even learnt a little! The cookbook I got for Christmas should do the trick, though: Seasonal Spanish Foods by José Pizarro - just flipping through it makes you want to eat the pictures!

He's a chef at the Tierra Brindisa restaurants in London and we actually went to one of them around new year's. I definitely ate some horrible stuff there, but it was absolutely delicious! So when it actually stops freezing here, I need to go hunt some ingredients and put someone else's kitchen on fire as mine is obviously too poorly equipped for the job.

9. Exercise!

I joined the gym two weeks ago! I'm just ignoring the fact that was already 2010 :))

Grey, Boring?!

2009-07-10T14:49:00.007+02:00

When I was younger I always thought grey was the dullest colour on earth... well, after beige maybe! Beige still sits proudly on its number one spot, in case you were wondering. I've come to love grey, though! After endless lectures of professors dressed in blah grey, I have come to highly admire designers who do grey well... it's all about the cut and the details!

This dress is just too cute! The bow, the oversized pockets, the collar... Mi ablaz smacked it with this one! She's new on Etsy, so you should definitely check out her shop!

This beautiful corsage flower brooch will just brighten up you outfit! Yes, grey can do that... TheBroochBoutique brings you a whole lot of chique!

Oldgrannysattic made this gorgeous studded grey top. Not what I was expecting to find in this shop, but hey, who said granny couldn't be hip too?

Or how about some grey lace spats? All the way from Italy, MonjioCreations brings you a little collection of unique, handmade spats...

Hello again!

2009-06-01T01:37:00.008+02:00

About time I popped in again - no time for much chit chat - busy times :) However, I threw another few wonderful items in the mix and thought these people just deserved a little more exposure.

A New Treasury!

2009-02-07T14:50:00.006+01:00

I was keeping away from Etsy as much as I could the last few days, so I could fully concentrate on studying... But when I saw Treasury West opening up this morning, I just couldn't resist! You can find all these great artists on Etsy.

Back to Bed!!

2009-02-02T18:12:00.004+01:00

During these dark, cold winter days I keep catching myself dreaming about the moment I get to crawl back into bed and just bury myself in soft, warm covers... aaah! What a joy it would be to hibernate until the first warm rays of spring come shining in! I have to say when it comes to bedwear and sleeping accessories etsy seriously provides a wide range of quality products. I stubled upon some amazing items this time!

The 'Under the apple tree bed' by Attiladesign has to be one of the most beautiful and breathtaking items I've come across. This doesn't need an elaborate description, just look! Scandinavian quality in different sizes ~ 9600 dollars.

No bed is complete without gorgeous covers! As the bed is usually the centre piece of the bedroom (see it's even named after it!), it should be just that- an inviting and eye-catching feature, so just any ordinary covers really won't do. You can find these lovely 'Satin stitched duvet covers' at Missprissiness. They come in twin, queen and king size ~110 dollars.

If you really can't wait for summer to come and are dying for a burst of colour, then get your ass over to Ouno! The 'Space Forest - Vintage scarf quilt' is also reversible. The other side is made from a pale cotton, so it'll suit your ever mood. Fits a queen size and a king size ~550 dollars.

Insomnia!! Well, not anymore with these 'Vanilla Lavender Soy Candles' by Bazilessentials. Lavender and vanilla are known for their relaxing characteristics. These tea lights will bring a perfect, relaxing mood after a stressy day ~ 8 dollars.

Who said sleeping masks can't be stylish?! This 'Leopard and Lace Sleeping Mask' will make sure nothing interrupts your beauty sleep. Comes in different prints at Revolutionoftheheart ~ 15 dollars.

Night Night!

Exam Time!

2009-01-29T15:40:00.005+01:00

My Erasmus-exchange in Berlin is coming to an end and to make things worse that means it's time for exams! I started today with an exam on the English legal system and I'm quite confident that it went alright. The annoying thing about switching into exam mode, though, is that for a couple of weeks my social life dies down and the two square metres around my desk is my new habitat. So now I'm surrounded by a mess of folders, papers and notes... but at least it can be a stylish mess!

I found this beautiful Handmade Accordian Folder at Paperama. An italian patterned paper in red and blue was chosen for the cover and that's a colour combination that just can't go wrong. Great for storing all your notes and documents ~56 dollars.

DHESSdesignz came up with a lovely set of three Mini File Folder Notepads. And when they say mini, they do really mean mini - 2 by 3 inches. So cute! The cover is fully recycled and the pages on the inside or fully recycled as well ~ 2.75 dollars.

Lilypang offers a pretty selection of prints and laptop skins. All the designs for the skins are her own original artwork. I fell in love with Relaxing near Pond. You can choose from two sizes or even send in the exact sizes of your own laptop ~ 24 dollars.

This Vintage Map Portfolio Case is another beauty! It's unique and one-of-a-kind and the bow closure just adds that little extra. Such a sweet touch! You can find it at Mozellemetana ~ 75 dollars.

And if you just can't get into the right mood for studying, try accessorising for the occasion. It's all about tricking the mind! Zomb makes an Artsy Fartsy Supply Button that would be perfect ~ 1.25 dollars.

Vintage Shopping Tutorial!

2009-01-24T23:53:00.012+01:00

I just love vintage clothing and accessories and I'm sure I'm not the only one! It's not always that easy to find the perfect piece, though... but the hunt should be just as fun as eventually finding the perfect, little dress, yes, THAT one!

1. First, you need to know WHERE to look. A good place to find vintage items at a good price are flea markets, garage sales and moving sales. You can often find announcements for them in your local papers and on the internet. Most cities also have a thrift store or two... these are great, because it's a fixed address you can always stop by and they have new items at a very regular interval, if not daily. Now, if you're very lucky you might have a family member - think aunt, grandmother or even your own mom - with a few bags of clothing stuffed away somewhere in the attic. Chances are those will fit you like a charm... your mom quite likely had the same posture as you back in the day!

2. And yes, I know what happens next... you're at a flea market or thrift store and my god, you're surrounded by absolute junk! Dresses falling off clothes hanger, pullovers and tops jammed together in tiny boxes, stained skirts... Not good! Here is where most people give up. It's a question of TRAINING THE EYE, though. Just take your time to look around and you'll probably be attracted by a certain pattern or colour or even the shine of a fabric. Go have a closer look!

3. It is at this point very tempting to take home a t-shirt in your favourite colour or a skirt because it has a cool shape. Don't! Even if it costs near to nothing, you should still make sure that it's YOUR SIZE! If you know how to alter your own clothing it'll be fine to get something a size or two too big, but for most people that's just not an option. If you can try an item on, do it! If not, like at a flea market or moving sale, don't be shy to take your measurements and a measuring tape with you. It takes 10 seconds to measure around the waist of a skirt!

4. Next FEEL it! Do you think it'll itch, then leave it, if it feels soft, you're onto a win! Often enough you can find real quality and long lasting materials, like silk, linen or leather for an absolute steal. Check the label to be certain, at least if you can find one and it's not completely faded. You might be pleasantly surprised... imagine finding a Pucci, a Dries Van Noten or a Dior! I've been lucky in the past!

5. Now LOOK CLOSELY at the item. Hold it up against the light if you have to. Do you see any stains? Do you think they'll wash out? Has the item already gone through a lot of wear? Does it have any holes or tears? Vintage, might be synonymous with second hand for many, but you don't want something that looks second hand and worn, though. If you don't check your item carefully, chances are you'll chuck it out at the same speed you bought it!

6. THINK about what's already in your wardrobe and if you'll be able to combine your new find with what you already have. If you can't imagine it matching anything you have, it probably doesn't fit with your actual style and it'll end up buried in your closet. That's just sad, because someone else might have loved it!

7. GO FOR IT! By this point you'll have a nice, quality garment in your hand that fits you and suits your style. If you follow these simple steps next time you go looking for vintage, you'll head back home with an item you love, rather than five pieces of junk!

All of this applies to online shopping too. Etsy is a good place to look for vintage clothing and has the advantage that you can actually use the search function to look for a specific item. As you can't try on the item or hold it up against you, it's even more important to get the exact measurements of the garment. If they aren't listed, convo the seller - he or she is usually more than willing to help you out. Also pay attention to the type of fabric listed. Something may look like a nice cotton, but turn out to be an odd feeling polyester. Furthermore, look at close-up pictures to detect any wear, holes,... If you're buying shoes, ask for a picture of the inside of the shoes and the soles, so you can get a good idea how 'used' they are. Last, it's also a good idea to check the return policies of the seller. You should be pretty safe if you follow the above steps, but it's still better to be safe than sorry!

Art!

2009-01-23T19:07:00.003+01:00

I'll be moving back to Belgium and leaving the lovely city of Berlin in about a month. Hopefully to move back later this year, but that's not a certainty yet. Anyway, I had a look around my room at what I would have to sell off or move and saw that all my walls were blanc. I knew I was only staying here for a couple of months, so never really put any effort into decorating the place. However, I hope to get my own flat somewhere in the near future and I'm going to have all the fun in the world decorating it - no more empty white walls! As Etsy is a Walhalla of talent, it's a great place to start looking. To be honest, though, I didn't really have to start looking as I've already gathered quite an amount of gorgeous pieces in my favourites over the past. As usual I'm more than happy to share them with you!

Annaslezak is one of the first artists I'd like to mention. She caught my attention with this amazing piece, appropriately titled 'broken'. I love the fact that it's an original, as it'll just add more depth and uniqueness to a room. It's a 33" by 33" acrylic on canvas ~ 175 dollars.

The 'She Loves me Really' print by Megmcgrath is just adorable. It would be a perfect gift for valentines day and you're in luck, because she's doing a two for one until february 14th. Print of an original mixed media collage, 10" by 8" on archival paper ~ 15 dollars.

Another great wat to add some personality to a space is by printing out some photography and if you're artistic skills just aren't all that, you can find plenty of wonderful prints online. 'Urban Flock' by Mariterecr is a one of those. A photographic fine art collage print, 8" by 10" on semi-gloss photo paper ~ 22 dollars.

Benconservato will never let you down. Everytime you browse through the shop, you'll come across new pieces with adorable, weird, little creatures. Grey monkey has to be my favourite, though. Original oil painting, 8 cm by 11 cm on rounded corner canvas ~ 60 dollars.

'Amphitrite' is an original collography print by australian artist Jetjames. His shop proves that he's quite the talent and it was difficult to chose, but I adore this piece! Original limited edition print, 48 cm by 34 cm on acid free watercolour paper ~ 100 dollars.

And to finish this gorgeous list, I would love to show you the work of Edandliz. The Texas-based brother and sister bring lovely, fashionable, lady figures to life in their drawings. 'Elise War Gown Black Series' is a pretty print of an original black ballpoint pen drawing, 4" by 6" on watercolour paper ~ 8 dollars.

Hot Handmade Make-Up!

2009-01-21T18:19:00.005+01:00

I just love Etsy and I love the fact that a girl can find everything her heart desires on there. I was browsing through make-up listings and realized that handmade make-up often enough means animal friendly and non-chemical! Here are some of the best items I found...

NeptunesKiss developed this great Sheer Merlot Lip Butter. It contains, among others, pure beeswax, cocoa butter and shea butter - if that's not going to keep your lips soft and moisterized I don't know what is! The merlot colour and golden shimmer just give it a luxurious finish and as you can see in the pic also works fantastic for redheads and fair skinned ladies ~ 4.75 dollars.

I never leave the house without mascara, so that was obviously the first thing I was searching for. The options were rather slim, but I came across this vintage style cake mascara from Twinkbeauty and that'll be all you need. I've never seen one of these before, but I love the idea. You just add a drop of water and rub your applicator in it... et voilà! The Lash Paint Mineral Mascara is available in black, brown, bronze and aubergine, so everyone will surely find something to match their type and tone. Completely vegan and non-toxic ~ 8 dollars.

Pinkquartzminerals offers a lovely Smokey Eyes Kit in Deep Blue with Liner and Shadow Brushes. The brushes are vegan too. The powders will do as eyeshadow and liner and come in Black Orchid, Moody Blue, Night Dust, Blue Ray and Seven Seas. You have to admit the names alone sound pretty alluring ~ 55 dollars.

When I go out I love adding some black eyeliner for a more dramatic look and I found a great one at ErzulieCosmetics. This Mineral Chubby Eyeliner Pencil with S harpener is all natural and comes in black or brown. I reckon brown eyeliner would make a great addition to any collection as it is more subtle and less dramatic than black, so also great to use during the day ~ 12 dollars.

Eyeshadow produced an amazing Mineral Eyeshadow in Raver Yellow. Now I know for sure I wouldn't be able to pull this colour off, but it would look SO delicious on someone with a darker skin tone! It just makes me envious ~ 3 dollars.

During these cold and dark winter days it's always a good idea to add a little blush to your cheeks as it just gives a great, healthy glow. A baby pink works best with my pale winter skin, so I reckon this Baby Pure Mineral Blush by PureMineralsSource is the way forward. It's pure mineral and vegan friendly ~ 4 dollars.

Now if you go to PureMineralsSource's shop you'll come across the following little cutie in her listings and it's a great way to emphasize that cosmetics don't need to be tested on animals! The abundant choice in handmade and all natural cosmetics, such as the ones listed above, are clear proof of this!

Peacock Feathers!

2009-01-19T23:18:00.004+01:00

I love peacock feathers and I'm sure I'm not the only one! The rich colours and texture just emanate pure luxury. I found some amazing items on Etsy and thought I'd share some of my favourites with you...

LovMely has this lovely Peacock Feather Headband for sale. It'll add instant vintage style to any outfit ~ 18 dollars.

Another great accessory is this Silver Silk Peacock Feather Clutch. Redrubyrose has a huge selection of clutches in the most amazing prints and fabrics ~ 105 dollars.

I stumbled upon a new shop, vrreis, and I fell in Love. Veronica Reis makes beautiful dresses, even wedding dresses and she does it with great style! Her Peacock Feathered Bubble Dress is jaw-dropping ~ 450 dollars.

If you prefer a little more subtlety, these Peacock Show - Earrings are definitely for you. Sophiehillartist does these cute earrings in a number of different prints and colours ~ 6.80 dollars.

Last, but definitely not least are a pair of Beautiful Satin Peacock Baby Burlesque Nipple Pasties. They can be found at gothfoxdesigns. The leading lady of sexy handmade has a great collection to choose from and the great photography makes her shop a treat to visit ~ 19 dollars.

Berlin Streetart!

2009-01-15T21:53:00.020+01:00

One of the amazing things about Berlin is that the whole city is just one big canvas. Now I know this applies to most big cities, but trust me when I say Berlin takes it to an extreme... Here are some pics of the last walk I took around my neighbourhood.

New Banner and Items!

2009-01-13T22:34:00.008+01:00

I've been neglecting my Etsy store a little lately, but I am planning on adding some new items next week. In the mean time I decided to update my banner, as the last one was a little boring.

So what new items can you expect?

First, I'll be adding a vintage bathing suit and matching bikini in blue and white nautical, marine look. They even have little gold buttons to finish the look off. Extremely cute! Further, I have a number of vintage skirts with different patterns -dotted, floral, chinese - waiting to be added. The picture below shows a fun, 80's skirt with a chinese print.

Three in a Row!

2009-01-11T22:22:00.005+01:00

Yesterday, my latest treasury made the Front Page! And the cool thing about that is that it was the third time in a row! Hihi! Must have something to do with all the cool items and artists I selected! You can fine them all back through Etsy or Handmade Europe.

My Favourite Tune This Week

2009-01-09T22:07:00.002+01:00

Lady GaGa - Just Dance

It's just got a very catchy ring to it! Great pre-party track! And you've just got to love her hair and fashion sense!

Cute Little Fawns

2009-01-09T15:00:00.005+01:00

I was browsing on Etsy looking for fawns and came across 72 pages of them! I decided to make a selection of my 5 favourite items...

The first item that really caught my eye was this Standing Fawn Necklace by AnomalyJewelry. All in solid sterling silver ~ 190 dollars.

CutOutandCollect made this cute Little Deer Zipper Pouch. Not only has it got the cutest print on the outside, but it's got pandas on the inside!! Now that's what I call an awesome combination... ~10 dollars.

This third item just takes cute to another level! Flowers, pastels and a little fawn with big sparkly eyes... The Baby Bliss Collaged Necklace by Glamasaurus ~ 35 dollars.

These Forest Fawn Studs in Patina Finish are the minimal version of cuteness and can easily be worn with any outfit. You can find them at FigsAndGinger ~ 20 dollars.

And last, but not least... I came across these adorable Walk in The Park Tags. It's a set of 36 tags on a ring. These can be found at Paperpumpkin ~ 8.50 dollars.

Lots of Snow and a Turkish Market!

2009-01-07T20:07:00.020+01:00

One of my favourite places to go in Berlin is the Turkish Market on the Maybach-Ufer in the Kreuzberg area. It's held every Tuesday and Friday from 12.00 to 18.00. Despite it being -13°C on tuesday, I decided to head down to the canal and find some fabric I could use at my sewing class later that afternoon. The market is great for that! They sell lots of cheap fabric, which often enough isn't such great quality, but if you have a good look around you can definitely find something decent. The same goes for the fruits and vegetables...

The market is within walking distance from my place, so I had a lovely walk through the snow and tried out my new camera. It was such a beautiful day! Blue skies, sunshine reflecting in the snow, everything was white and there were kids sledding in the park :) I even got some close pictures of the swans in the canal as someone was feeding them...

Made a treasury!

2009-01-05T14:33:00.010+01:00

I managed to get hold of a treasury this morning. I started out with bright reds and pinks, but comepletely changed my mind and ended up with a very toned down, nature-inspired selection...
All items can be found on Etsy or by visiting the treasury itself.

Little update! It already made the front page! So cool!

New Year's Resolutions!

2009-01-04T17:36:00.004+01:00

I thought a little about what my resolutions for this year would be and realized most of my list has already been on my mind for a little while...

1. Put more effort into my uni work and pass my exams.
2. Finish my thesis by september and hopefully graduate with a decent mark.
3. Keep working on my language skills - german and french on the top of that list.
4. Figure out what I want to do after graduation...
5. Spend plenty of time with family, friends and boyfriend.
6. Get my driver's license.
7. Get better at pattern drawing and sewing.
8. Eat healthier and learn how to cook a little :) (Already learnt how to make risotto last night!)
9. Exercise!

I was doubting whether or not to post this, but it should be interesting to look this post up again in a year and see how things turned out :)

My Favourite Jewellery on Etsy

2009-01-03T14:59:00.010+01:00

Paintedmetal has caught my eye numerous times. She has a very unique style and it's easy to recognise her work. I love the Turquoise-n-Mocha Skinny Rings. They have an amazing aged and ethnic look to them.

Cindyhoo is another great jewellery artist on Etsy and her Three Little Wishes n ecklace is another one of my absolute favourites! 'Health, happiness and safety'. It makes the perfect gift for those you care about.

As for earrings, the best I've seen so far are these sterling Nomad Hoops. As eva666 herself describes in the description - they remind of Mexico...

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-02T16:02:00.007+01:00

I wish you everything your heart desires for 2009!! Berlin was already covered in a soft snow this year. It felt as if peace and serenity descended upon the city after the chaos that was new year's eve. The bright blue sky and sunshine that greeted me today, gave me faith that there's a great year ahead of us...

My Treasury made Front Page!!

2008-12-29T15:29:00.004+01:00

The treasury I put together this week made the Front Page on Etsy! I was so happy :) Haha! You can check out a screenshot below.

Top 5 Vintage Heels on Etsy...

2008-12-26T17:49:00.014+01:00

I love shoes! That's enough to justify this post :)

1. I found these gorgeous 70's wooden platforms in Traven7's shop. I absoluetly adore these! Sadly they aren't my size, but anyone with a US size 7, should go for it! Price: 79 dollars.

2. My second pick are these gorgeous caramel leather pumps! The ruched detail in the front just sets it apart from all the rest. These also come in a size 7. You can find them at Mysweetiepiepie. Price: 37.99 dollars.

3. Rulala offers you a pair of original vintage Hush Puppies in a gorgeous combination of red and white. I especially like the detail on the buttons in the front. These come for the ladies with a US size 9. If the shoe fits... Price: 12 dollars.

4. At number four we have a pair of great jewel toned snakeskin 80's pumps brought to you by Cookiesandcreme. For the petites feet out there - a US size 5.5-6. The colour combination on this pair is quite unique and one of my favourites! Price: 23.50 dollars.

5. Last, but definitely not least are these lovely tri-coloured cuties in a size 7.5. You can find them at Kim Trans's shop. Price: 31.20 dollars.

And because not all of us are used to US shoe sizes, you can find a great conversion table here.

Merry Christmas!!

2008-12-26T00:24:00.001+01:00

I hope you all have a lovely Christmas together with your family and loved ones!!

I'm back with a treasury...

2008-12-22T23:34:00.007+01:00

I haven't posted on here for a while, but I have the great honour of sharing my new treasury with you all. Again, it's a selection of some great european artists. You can find their collective blog at Hand Made Europe. All items can be found on Etsy.

New Cams!

2008-12-05T17:02:00.010+01:00

My sweet little digital camera is slowly giving up on life, so as I was browsing the internet in search of a worthy replacement I decided a digital SLR camera was the way forward. However I didn't have the faintest clue what the authors were on about when reading descriptions and reviews on the latest DSLR's. So after reading up on the subject a little more I finally made up my mind and ordered one last week and if all goes well I'll have my new toy on monday! Early X-mas present to myself :)

I went a little overboard, though, and decided to get a Holga while I was at it with an extra fisheye lens. I fell in love with Holga pictures ages ago. I think all the little imperfections just give them that little extra personality and character. It's as if they have an own little human dimension to them...

New Items!

2008-12-05T11:41:00.009+01:00

I added some new items to my Etsy store the last few days. First were a pair of gorgeous leather cuff boots. I would have kept these lovely vintage boots to myself, but alas they were a little too big. As expected they were gone in the blink of an eye...

Second item I put up is a cute little skirt that I upcycled / reconstructed out of a very unflattering vintage top. It has polka dots, ruffles, vintage glass buttons and one of my favourite colour combinations.

I was on the Front Page!

2008-12-05T11:26:00.008+01:00

Yesterday I was featured on the front page of Etsy! ArtMind put a lovely treasury together that truly grasped the feeling of a dreamy winter's day. I was honoured to be part of it :)

Etsy Favourites!

2008-11-24T18:50:00.005+01:00

Etsy always surprises me and it's great! My newest favourite is the gorgeous 'Matchstick Girl Dress'. So chic! And even better, Reddoll has about a dozen dresses to choose from...

Inbetweener!

2008-11-22T20:19:00.004+01:00

I have to admit that since I moved to Berlin I haven't done any effort whatsoever to decorate my place or make it more 'me'. I reckoned because I'd be gone in a certain amount of months anyway, it wasn't really worth it. I never really considered it to be my home. Just an "inbetweener".

This weekend, as the first snow fell, I realized it was the most depressing first snow ever. It wasn't cosy and warm inside - just white and sterile and cold. The boys appropriately named my room 'the white room' before I moved in. So after living in what feels like a white box for the past three months, something had to be done. This led to me dragging around furniture in the middle of the night. Not being happy with any of the changes, moving everything back again, obviously still not happy, changing it all for a second time. It pretty much ended up with my sofa bang in the middle of the room.

Only problem being, it's the most unsexy sofa ever. Eighties fake, warn out, grey-ish blue and a matching cushion in a horrid pattern of extra grey. Time to cover up! I had a rummage through my fabric stash and found the most lovely colourful print. I finally have a little spot to lounge around and that's exactly what I did all afternoon :)

Another treasury by me!

2008-11-18T17:01:00.005+01:00

I made another collection of lovely handmade items. All items are made by members of the European Street Team on Etsy. You can find the treasury and all items and information over here! It's still my goal to make a treasury that will hit the front page! Some day soon, some day soon...

Hearts!

2008-11-17T10:06:00.005+01:00

I just reached 500 hearts on Etsy! Big thank you to all of you and congratulations to me :]

Etsy Favourites

2008-11-15T17:01:00.010+01:00

I love handmade clothing, I love pretty lingerie and I love vintage. I came across Vintage Opulence, a shop on Etsy, which combines all three and it has since then been one of my favourites, if not my favourite!

Pilates and Yoga

2008-11-14T21:16:00.005+01:00

I'm one of those girls that spends most of her days at a desk, be it in class, at the library, at home studying or just sewing and it really doesn't do much for my back or posture. So I decided to start doing some pilates. I wanted to give it a try on my own before going to actual pilates classes, but didn't really know where to start. Until I remembered my old housemates working out together to the most obnoxious eighties "8 minute abs" workout on youtube. If you like your men in tight spandex...

So anyway, I found a great pilates workout on there and I love it :) It's just 20 minutes and after the first few times I already felt the difference. My back felt stronger and I noticed an improvement to my posture. Next week I'm going to enroll for yoga lessons. My boyfriend had mentioned bikram yoga to me in the past and it sounded just perfect. Not only do you get to work on your flexibility and endurance, but the high temperature makes you sweat a lot which has a cleansing effect at the same time.

I haven't done any sports since I finished high school, which is now about 5 years ago, but I have to admit I'm quite looking forward to it :)

Back in Berlin!

2008-11-14T20:58:00.003+01:00

So I'm back in Berlin and it's friday night... and I'm stuck at home writing my thesis! I'm expected to hand in a third of it by monday, which is proving to be quite the challenge... Well, actually, it's a complete pain in the ass, but let's stay positive! Just 4500 words and quite a bit of reading to go!

I'm in Belgium!!

2008-11-06T23:11:00.010+01:00

The land of yummie yummie chocolate! It's so nice to be back home and spend some time with my family :)

I met a journalist on my flight from Berlin to Brussels who pointed out two interesting and very kitsch exhibitions going on in Berlin. One is Andy Warhol and the stars at Hamburger Bahnhof and the other is Jeff Koons Celebration at the Neue Nationalgalerie. I've been wanting to go to Hamburger Bahnhof ever since I moved to Berlin, so now I definitely need to make work of it as soon as I get back.

Shoes!

2008-11-04T17:42:00.008+01:00

One of my favourite Belgian lingerie designers, Murielle Scherre of la fille d'o, not only makes stunning undergarments, she's also decided to venture into designing shoes. And that can only be good news! You can admire the whole collection in her online shop. Have a look at the undies while you're at it, you'll be pleasantly surprised...

I fell in love with la voleuse naturelle. Such tasty footwear!

Sewing!

2008-11-04T00:27:00.017+01:00

I'm going to be taking sewing classes again. Starting tomorrow! I've been going through my fabric stash for ages deciding what my first project should be. Endless possibilities... But I've decided it'll be a clutch, adorned with a beautiful button, or a mini skirt, made out of some gorgeous vintage fabric.

In the mean time you can admire my last creation - a tunic top out of a great vintage, geometric print fabric. To be found on Etsy and DaWanda.

Pirates!

2008-11-02T22:04:00.008+01:00

Agent Provocateur just launched their new line of lingerie. They hopped on the bandwagon of the ongoing pirate trend! And however wrong that may sounds - trashy Halloween costumes pop into my mind... AP, as always, put their own twist on it and it turned out fabulous! What turned out even better: their campaign featuring Helena Christensen. Check out the amazing video they shot with her: guns, daggers and pasties... What else do you need?

Treasury Time!

2008-11-02T01:01:00.007+01:00

I grabbed my first real treasury on Etsy today. For those of you who haven't heard of Etsy before. You should definitely check it out!

It is a lovely little place online to buy handmade and vintage items. And you can just browse through shops for days! While you're at it, you should definitely stop by Spelfenmeisje. I'm part of a great European group on Etsy, called Hand Made Europe. The picture below is a selection I made of items from some amazing european artists. The link to all the items and shops can be found here.

Berlin!

2008-09-07T18:06:00.010+02:00

I've just recently moved to Berlin! I'll be studying here for a while and enjoying everything the city has to offer. It has to be said though, Berlin has got to be the least glamorous city in Europe. But I love it! Graffiti on every building, obscure clubs, lots of little indie clothing stores, weekly flee markets, cafe's in every street and an off sense of fashion...

Graffiti in Schlesische Straße by artists JR and Blu as part of the Planet Prozess Exhibition.