Quite quiet on the blog at the moment. Not because of lack of inspiration but more the lack of time. Time I have been trying to devote to cleaning up the look..less extra info, more space, a different name.
Inspired by Meet The Blogger @ Sanoma
Last week I attended the Meet the Blogger Video and Personal Branding masterclass. For me quite a step as my blog is a reflection of me; quiet, introverted and intended basically just as a spot to release some of that energy and excitement without being too vocal or noticeable. But two years on, I love it so much, I want to make more of it and since knowledge is power, I want to learn more. And what better place to start than a collective of people with similar drives? I originally wanted to attend the Photography and Styling masterclass but I only made it to the wait list. In the end I think it worked out for the best. While image, both picture and video are super strong elements that I want to develop and incorporate, I first need to decide on the direction. While the classes did not answer that question, it did get me started on the road to defining my direction and armed with plenty of tips and tricks for making the path smoother.
But enough about that, as what I to share most is the inspiration the location gave me. The class was held at Sanoma, which is quite a large media company that makes a few magazines that I subscribe to. Immediately upon entering the lobby I thought “Golly, I wish I could work here”. In media, amidst like-minded forces and in such a lovely designed spot. While probably in the end an office space or cubicle is an office space or cubicle, the open spaces, the space to meet, think, take a breather or interact are fun and again... inspiring, but without being too quirky or in your face. Reminds me of the feeling the public spaces at Epic US gave me, but more grown-up and laid back. I love the integration of booths with softer spots with wing back chairs, sofas and other pieces you would find in a home. It breaks up the I’m at work vibe and I definitely think that gets the creative juices flowing.
Change of direction..destination Design
Last week I attended a bloggers masterclass from Meet the Blogger, which I will probably write about in more detail later, but it did immediately get me thinking again about changes. Changes are definitely an important if not the most important topic in my life at the moment. Yet despite this I have been struggling to focus on where I want to go. Changing the blog has been on my mind, like forever, but I just keep never getting around to it. Maybe because I did not know what to change to!
Almond sponge with passionfruit curd
I mentioned picking this up at Sweet Sugar Hill Bakery. And this is what that jar of goodness inspired for weekend baking. Curd just seems so old-school to me and passion fruit so exotic, despite growing up in the tropics, that I decided the best thing to do is make a mash-up.
The mash-up: an old-school sponge but with almond flour, which is a total favorite of mine. Sandwiched between is the lovely sweet-tart passion fruit curd. Very simple and easy, because the weather was too good this weekend to have the oven cranking out extra warmth.
Here's to a great week!
Here's to a great week!
Friday favs, the home accessories issue
How did it get to be Friday and March already? But I'm not complaining as the weather is supposed to be great this weekend. Time to spruce up the garden and get my bike out of the garage..yes, I'm 'only in great weather outdoors-kinda girl'. But before we get to the weekend, here are some faves I rediscovered while doing some curating and culling of my favorite online shops, stores and shopping platforms. At least in regards to accessories for in and around the home, because that is where my head is at the moment.
Designspot @ Arnhem
I attended the Arnhemse stockdagen last year and rediscovered the city of my student days for its creativity, design and fashion. So when a bridge to the next edition presented itself in the form of a stocksale, I of course had to go.
Took a day of work, make a list of must-stop stores, gassed up my tank and hit the road. Here are a few cool spots and more importantly photos of what I got. While it was less abuzz than then I’d hoped, it is still fun to get out and see things in the flesh. And so I am now eagerly awaiting the pastel version of the BigFoot lamp from Tim Vinke.
For the insatiable sweet tooth that I am I got this 'mon biscuit' cookie brooch from Saakje, that I picked up at Nikki Giling.
While I try not to be too self-involved I could not help falling for this ABC pendant necklace from Turina that I picked up at Graphic Playground. Where I was there I also finally scored an alphabet stamp set to complete my stamp collection as well some additions to my funky coffee cup collection as I love coffee and recently broke my wash me cup.
From Graphic playground I was directed to Sweet Sugar Hill Bakery. Totally digging this old-school and kind of traditional fifties British bakery and sweet shop. Had a couple of lovely cookies for a well-rounded breakfast at noon and of course in the cart went a bag of gourmet popcorn because I’m nuts for popcorn. Yet to try is their passion fruit curd which has inspired to make a sandwich sponge this weekend.
I popped in Lenneke Wispelwey but couldn’t decide and remembered I still have to open and find a spot for my previous visit’s purchase but still wanted to share to cool presentation.
My last stop was at a local Italian delicatessen where I found my favorite fennel-flavored sausage and anchovy paste as I can’t handle these little fishes but love the taste in a Caesar salad!
I opted not to go into town, because I still had more travelling to do, but else I would definitely have swung by Arnhem Coming Soon and Van Mij.
P.S. I also swung by Puha in Utrecht to pick up my belated birthday gift. What is it? Check out the birthday edit. So excited for my first personal custom piece. And so nervous, because it is a custom piece, that I still have not unwrapped it yet!
On the wall
I had planned a post about fiocchetti, but since it was the first meal where both my kids refused to take even a single bite, I decided to forgo foodie Mondays this week. No planned post, no time to take the photos needed to speed up the schedule, so I decided why not make use of the empty Monday slot for one of my favorites items a.k.a. obsessions at the moment; (small) wall shelves & ledges.
1. Yoy Blow, fun, whimsical and beautiful 2. Vitra Corniche, have these and can't wait to get them up on the wall. 3. Elkamii Peliship, wood on the angular? sign me up. 4. Roel Huisman shelf, been loving you for more than a year. 5. Ibride Cirrus, on sale here and perfect for a kids space. 6. Moustache mirror shelf, obsessed with this for my loo. 7. Eno Tuiles, because effortless and plywood make hip, especially when in a range of colors. 8. Caroline Gomez long line, because simplicity is always fashionable.