Merry Christmas

 

Merry Christmas! Hope you have a great day. The gifts are wrapped, the turkey is in the fridge, the kids are dreaming of sugarplums, so I am pretty sure that we will be having a great day at home. An old-fashioned holiday at home with turkey, garlic mashed potatoes and french beans on the menu and lots and lots of gifts to unwrap. Whatever your plans, enjoy your day!

Happy end of the world...

According to the mayan calender. Well if it goes, I rather wouldn't mind wearing.

Leather snake effect pencil skirt. Whistles statement necklace. Both via Asos.

House of Harlow 1960 snake detail stormy shoe via Miss KL. Metal Zara clutch. Acne Gam shirt.

Kids Christmas wish lish

Having kids is a great excuse...reason to go Christmas shopping. I mean imagine their little faces if there were no presents under the tree, or gasp if there was no tree at all? I am sure my kids would survive, being as they're too young to get why mom is acting dopier than usual. But I just can't seem to help myself. Here are a few things I would not mind gifting my little ones; ages 2 and a half & 9 months.

  

 

1. A play kitchen has been on the list since.. like forever (okay, about six months) but try and find one that is not a case of screamingly bright primary color overload. How sweet and natural looking is this one from Momoll?

2. This frame would look so cute in Mika's or Zoe Isobel's room. Space for a picture and a treasured item. Love, love this face photo frame from M by Authentics.

3. Wooden toys, especially puzzles are my choice for first toys. I adore the puzzles from DwellStudio and think this the animal tower would be great fun.

 

Crayons, crayons and more crayons because drawing is now a standard activity in our home. The cutest little personalised map to hold them all is on it's way, but more about that another time. 1 Diamonds are a girl's best friend; crystal crayons from Kikkerland. 2. For the Lego-lovers amongst us; stack-a-doodle crayons, available at Perpetual Kid. 3. An oldie but goodie with finally a good reason to get them; crayons rings from Timothy Liles, available at GNR8.

My Christmas wish list, part two

The me, myself and I edition
A follow-up to my longed-for, for-the-home lovelies. This one consists of things just for me! Though some have argued that the interior list is also just for me, I beg to differ. Except maybe in the case of the make-up box where I am willing to concede defeat. Any who no doubts here, it's all about the Lisa..at least in my dreams where these items take the place of sugarplums.

1. Whimsical circus ring from Monocircus. 2 Revolver necklace from Muses & Rebels via Fab (sale ends in 1 day!). 3. Rose gold sequin clutch just perfect for parties from Gift Shop Brooklyn. 4. Resin rings and bangles which seem to be made from ice or autumn leaves, available at Daimblond. 5. Mac holiday glitz; pictured is the guilty passions 4 lavish rose lip gloss set but I equally love the fabulousness 5 smoky eyes kit.

Ponderings of a sofa

So the wall up, behind, above the sofa, or however you put it, has been a work in progress since moving in. Say 6 and a half years, give or take. I have several posters and canvases which after framing are meant for the space. My biggest gripe however is the appalling light. I like snuggling into the spot (the corner bit my hubby, daughter and I fight over on a daily basis) but it is the worst for reading. I have a adjustable lamp on the nearby windowsill which can be twisted to suit but still miss having light above and behind me.

But finding a wall lamp that does not impose on the limited space in my long thin living room has been quite the chore. Could my search finally be over with the Areaware Flat Life Light? 

And would not this modern version of a classic frame, also from Areaware, look great mixed in with the planned white-framed artwork gallery? Been lusting over it for years and still love it. Maybe with a little photo of the family on said sofa.

My Christmas wish list, part one

Home edition
So much fun is giving, I thought it only charitable to give others (you know who you are) the chance to gift me some lovelies. There I said it, give me gifts I dig (again, you know who you are). The list is pretty endless do to finding a new love everyday, but here a couple of good examples to work from.

The Balsabox Personal from Nomess would be perfect for doing my make-up. I have a make-up mirror and a larger mirror but due to the table where they're located I can not sit down to apply said make-up. This way everything is neat, orderly, beautiful and can be used when and where desired. More of the collection and brand is available at Designdelicatessen. 

The Arbour cake stand in XXL and in mini from Y'a Pas Le Feu Au Lac's would be perfect for the baked goodies I love making. Even the uncutest homemade treat gets bumped into the cute category when presented on these. Available at A+R store; the stands and many other great products from Y'a Pas Le Feu Au Lac's.

Rocking lamps from Mineheart. Keeping in theme these are super cute minimalism meets pretty. I have a Miffy lamp bringing a bit of whimsy to the living room. Cute for my daughter who likes giving her a kiss and cute for me to look at. Maybe the little one on the windowsill or next to the reading nook in Mika's room? Mineheart is known for their cool wallpaper, but I really like their lighting and the magic magnetic feathers are so old-school modern righteous. 

Far East, continued

So a week ago I wrote about the smaller, more unique shops in Singapore. This follow-up is about the larger brands. My go-to, must stop by every single outlet I pass even if only five minutes or five steps have passed since the last one..

Charles & Keith blue suede shoes (my latest addiction as this is pair 2 of 3)

M)phosis snakeskin clutch/make-up bag and waterfall waistcoat

I have actually already worn these pieces! For me a big deal as it usually takes me ages to get around to wearing my new stuff (hoarder much). The waistcoat folds and falls beautifully and looks great on a maxi or any other dress that needs to be taken a bit less seriously. The clutch is just wide enough to hold my iPhone, cardholder and a lip gloss and therefore perfect for my constant switching of bags as I inevitably misplace something and have to call search and rescue.

Margiela by H&M

No longer available via the store, but definitely still worth the mention. I am not normally a fan of high-end brands and definitely not of their collaborations with chain stores. However when I saw the ads for Maison Martin Margiela with H&M I started salivating at the beauties on display. A collection of select re-editioned pieces from various seasons.

I was online at 8.00 am eagerly awaiting the 09.00 o'clock launch! However I could not get on till a good 15 minutes after the fact and missed out on one of three items I was most interested in. Don't get me wrong I love almost all of the collection and in comparison to the original brand prices probably considered a steal, but my growing conscious demanding a bit of curbing. The one article I lusted over but did not get (sold out in five minutes) was a pair of ginormous light-colored jeans.

As you can see I got the candy wrapper clutch in silver. How stinking sweet is the bar code and weight engraving! The plexi-glassed heeled ankle boots are wicked. In the background my duvet cover from Snurk with digital print of a white shirt. (Their new Geogami duvet line is awesome). I guess that is part of the reason why I love the H&M Margiela collection so much; digital prints drive me wicked wild! I might keep on eye out for the silver sequin print dress and of course ...the jeans.

Deck the halls

If you know me, you know I love Christmas. Despite having a bit of a Grinch for a husband, each year sees me decorating our home and stuffing my own, my husband's and our kids faces (our son's first Christmas, yea!) with holiday food. Think eggnog, sugar cookies and turkey.

I adore the selecting, hauling (pine needles in the car for weeks, double yea) and decorating of the tree while listening to Christmas tunes much to my husband's dismay at the/my level of campiness. The buying, wrapping and unwrapping of gifts. The setting of the table, the late and long breakfast, jam crusted mouths and sticky fingers. I frigging Love the holidays. Hope you love them too. Enjoy!



1. An alternative to pine needles ending up in the darnedest of places from Studioboon. 2. A stylish, non-green plastic tree holder for if you must have the scent of pine at Christmas, via Fab. 3. A simple tree ornament with a twist, or in this case a twig from Reiko Kaneko. 4. Form meets function in the breakfast express, also from Reiko Kaneko. 5. The sound of sweet music from Designimdorf. 

Far East

Well I could not go to Singapore and not talk about the goodies scored, could I? A treasure haven, a shopper's paradise; longer shopping hours, open every day of the week and tons and of stores, shops and malls. It seems you can not go to two steps without encountering a beckoning window. Ah, ...I look forward to the shopping (and food) each time we visit and am never disappointed.

As much as I love shopping online and have periodically tried and failed to find Singaporean labels available via the internet, much less with delivery to the Netherlands, I really enjoy doing shopping old-school style. The uniqueness and unavailability just seems to add to the charm. For that reason as much as I love chain stores like Charles & Keith (international shipping) and M)phosis, I get most excited about all the little individual shops like the ones in Far East Plaza or the little boutiques on Haji Lane.

Sometimes so obscure are these shops that they can not be found even a few hours later, much less on my next trip out. So it happened that I could not find the store, in the maze that is Far East Plaza, where I purchased the headband (and a super tulle top that just would not photograph well) shown above. With no name on the receipt or on the bag and varying opening hours, I just could not find it when I went back later that day. A bit of a bummer as I fell deeply for a gigantic statement necklace I decided I absolutely needed in my arsenal. Oh well, better for the bank account.

This post has few photo's of some my scores. From clothes to shoes but mostly accessories on this trip. I really like Lacquär (above bracelets, ring and a huge leopard shawl). They have a facebook page with an order form? Don't know how that works but might give it a try as their stuff rocks. Below a lovely pair of studded loafers. Much like the Studly shoe from Steven Madden, which I tried on but rejected. More affordable and wearable.

And check out these rocking shoes. They remind of delicate little birds nests, but in electric blue velvet. A bit hesitant to wear them in the wet Autumn setting that is November as they are so delicate they have no actual sole. But for now they look good clearing up the other shoes in my closet.

Home by Novogratz, the book

My last purchase while on vacation was the latest book from the Novogratz's. Design books are tricky and or either a hit or a miss. This one is definitely a hit! Kids (they have 7), hip, young and urban. I am so there. I love their use of color, the quirky often vintage pieces and above all the art. 



How stinking cute is this room for three! From the bunk beds to long desk with photo wallpaper and ginormous lighting feature, everything is kawaii.

The blow-up of the brooch and the the melted wax look of the lamp are amazing.

For the children

I have not blogged in awhile so posts like 'I'm a big girl now' and this one are a bit of a catch up. In October I got one of the usual advertising emails from H&M but for their 'All for Children' collection. I loved, clicked and purchased.

The collection is described as “full of playful and timeless pieces which parents as well as their kids will love''. I could not agree more. The fact that the collection is a unique collaboration between H&M and UNICEF of which 25% of the sales will go to projects benefiting some of the poorest children in the world is the cherry topping. I am big softee regarding children since having them myself and wish each a child a childhood of love, joy, opportunity and happiness.

My daughter has recently started using the super cute mouse mittens and for Christmas or Sinterklaas (undecided which) will receive the play tent shaped like a house. It folds up and can be carried around easily enough. Thank goodness, as a living room or any room strewn with kids toys gives me an outbreak of the hives. Hopefully Mika will be crawling by then as I plan to make the interior look like (a hidden) toy heaven.

I'm a big girl now

Zoe Isobel's room underwent a mini transformation a little while back. The first of many I suspect.. But more on that another time. We removed the front of her bed and instead of a baby sleeping bag she now has her first duvet and pillow with bedding from H&M and Aunt Bucky. After getting flung out several times, she now cuddles under when we come to get her up in the morning.

She also received a little Componibili cabinet from Kartell with her stuffed animals inside. The top of the cabinet formed her night table but has since been moved to the cushioned reading nook (also new) to house her bear lamp. We now keep our Bovist pouf which we first kept in the play area next to her bed for bedtime stories.

Rain on my parade

I saw a picture of the most fabulous rain boots for kids in bright yellow, which turned out to be from Stella McCartney Kids. A bit of googling, okay alot of googling later and I still could not find them in stock in a size small enough for Zoe Isobel who is just graduating from baby sizing. I ended up getting them in lime green from Little Vida. They were even and are still on sale! Bummer on the across the pond shipping rates and double that on Customs tax, but I had to have them and they are worth it, even though they run a bit large. Hey, room for growth. Everything from the color, materials to the packaging is lovely. Zoe Isobel can not stop smiling and won't take them off, not even indoors. See below for proof..

Her eclectic Sunday morning quick dash to the the playground outfit, consisting of favorites; her beloved pink jacket, Hello Kitty backpack and umbrella, her pyjama bottoms and off course the boots. A Zobo original.