Bad*ass

Mika can be my baby or stubborn as an ox and then he laughs.. To me that raging, unpredictable combo makes him badass. My badass boy is potty trained and so out went the diaper bags and changing mat and in with some badass boys kit; mini poster from CarlijnQ and dinosaurs from Mevrouw Aardbei. I changed out the lampshade on the teddy lamp and his mini badass update was done. Rock on!

Designer dustbin

I am not the kind of gal to enjoy cleaning. Repeat not a germaphobe, happy homemaker with cleaning rag on shoulder.. I am however a stickler for order, neatness and the aesthetically pleasing. Drumroll for the Lotte and Johann, who make me want to do the sweeping up..

I love Raumgestalt and this dustbin and broom is proof why. Oak, horsehair and varnished aluminium, these babies deserve to be hung in plain view on their oak hooks. Find them here and here. 

DIY leather handle basket

I'm not the only one who looks forward to Ikea blogposts, right? I always liked Ikea and new ranges like Sinnerlig, Sittnig and Lisabo are reasons why. My obsession though is with their blog, where the impeccable styling often goes hand in hand with making it your own. I mean how simple and minimal is the addition of leather handles to these baskets? Perfect because I have these and was just lamenting this week how annoying they are to carry when filled with my sons's wooden train collection..

Lookbook; the backlist

I keep meaning to do an outfit post just like I keep meaning to wear all the things on the 'checklist', otherwise known as the backlist. The dress, the pouch and yes even the fabulous (and oh so painful) heels from Jimmy Choo have been sitting idle. I pulled them together for this look and simply paired them with a delicate necklace from Turina, spiked rose gold ring from Maria Francesca and oh so stylish DDW entrance bracelet.

Coffee station

I'm wrote this while suffering caffeine withdrawal..due to insignificant beans in the machine and no desire to get dressed and head to the store. Plus I was waiting for my deli beans to fall through the mail slot.. Yes, coffee is that important to me. I drink it the way I should be downing water but coffee is mostly water right? Anyhoo, I couldn't resist some speciality flavours because you need creme brulée lattes in fall! And then you need something to dip into said latte.. so what could be better than artisan marshmallows and homemade Italian cookies?

P.S. The cups are from Vij5 and the double spoon from Barista & co.

Books

Dutch Design Week gave me a chance to peruse design books, whereas I usually only see something after the postman drops it at my door. Result? I now have a pre-approved selection that will be filling my shelves soon.. because autumn is the perfect time to snuggle in and read a good book!

On my list are The Kinfolk Home, Rock the Shack, Think Vintage, Kitchen Kulture and Hide and Seek.

Carre lamp

I was wondering what amazing piece of design to showcase this week? By no means, am I in a loss for choice, especially with Dutch Design Week which kicked off on Saturday. Then I spied the Carre lamp. Designed by Hans Weyeks for Serax, it is the lamp paired back to the barest of minimum. Simplicity meets cutting-edge modernism. Delicate but in no way overlooked. I think this lamp is it, right down to the leather detail.

Mondays

No huge foodie post today, because I have a case of the Mondays. Mondays I'm off and yet it's my busiest, blahest day. The day I feel most like slummy mummy. I love being a 'busy bee' kind of mom but I still long for sleep-ins, coffee and quiet. And so I whip out a cinnamon bun, fresh baked from my go-to recipe from Foodess, a cup of extra foamy latte from my new machine (no more instant, yeah!) and sit down..at least for a minute.

Enjoy,,it's almost Friday!

&Storage

I moan and whine about my lack of kitchen storage to no end at times. No more, I say! After much deliberation and mind-changing, I decided to go with my gut. Spotted Friday night, U-hauled homeon  Saturday. The criteria? I wanted something dark to offset the whiteness of my space. On legs to keep visible space. Mid-height so to gain another decor space. And I now have exactly that.

I'm loving this little corner of my space. Even more for what sits on the top. I'm digging the moody vibe. The circus lamp, is almost too trendy but I couldn't resist this bargain purchase from a local DIY store. Paired, with darker accessories and mod-inspired plant holders holding my favourite type of plant; carnivorous, it's my welcome to the dark side nook!

Cork, wood and leather

I saw a picture of the cork and leather hanging plant holder and knew I had to know more about the designer. Melanie Abrantes is relatively knew, only starting her company in 2013, but her products breath refinement and uniqueness. Functional products that are almost too beautiful to use. Take a look at the burl vase that looks like polished stone. The perfect mix of materials in the stacked jewelry box. Or the perfectly rounded edges on the cork bowls. Each product is a beautiful handmade heirloom. I think it's time to start collecting..

Structural statement

I'm on a no fashion shopping month. Or we not even halfway yet? Oh, the agony. Especially as my wishlist just keeps growing. My top favourites, right now;

• Alexander Wang belted wrap scarf dress
• C/Meo collective night rider cape
• Zara leather overknee boots
• Tom Ford Jennifer mini shoulder bag
• Artikel metal and leather cuff

Salted caramel, chocolate ganache doughnuts with sugar-salt roasted peanuts

 

I had a completely different treat lined up for this weekend. And then Zoe Isobel said 'mom, doughnuts please' and so that cake got axed in favour of doughnuts. But how to take a baked homemade doughnut, however warm and yummy, to over the top central? You know, sweet and sinful heaven!

I'm a crunch girl myself, but somehow peanuts, caramel and chocolate came to mind, a.k.a. the snickers doughnuts. These babies taste exactly the way they look..sinfully good. Let met put it this way, Zoe Isobel cleaned it up before I could turn around to get a napkin..

Sunday home

I haven't done Sunday home posts in awhile but I still love taking pictures of my Saturday shop  bouquet. Not styled or minimalist bus wild, oddly mixed bunches. Add that and sunlight streaming in and I'm home!

Tablette PÖL, the selfie edit

I'm always moving things around and so my desktop organiser, which I showed you here, has been styled several different ways. Simpler, with only a vase and a card.

The postcard is so me and my mini-me's as we can't pass a mirror without looking at ourselves and striking a pose. Hey, it’s not vanity, it’s avoiding looking the fool, right? Anyhoo, I purchased the Little broken luck vase from Rodekers at the Snor festival  because I’m in love with the delicacy of the thin matte porcelain and jagged, unfinished seams.

Teddy hook

Grrr, who understands the battle of functional storage that looks anything but functional? I long for a minimal aesthetic, especially in my hallway and to be honest most days I'm pretty happy with it..and then I need my keys. They don't fit on on the chunky wall hooks and so end up hanging and banging from the front door like an eyesore wind chime.

I fell in love with the products by Alice Tacheny when I saw the Tasche wall pocket and then I saw the minimal Teddy hook. A simple maple peg and tan leather strap and I get the best of both worlds. How come the best products are the simplest one?

Expo; industrial vintage!

The VT Wonen & Design beurs had the theme 'old masters, new heros' this year. A mix of classic designs with a modern twist. Not just new retro-inspired designs but also vintage pieces used in a modern setting. A modern grey couch with fifties legs and mismatched cushions. A simple piece of metal transforms into a minimal art ledge.

The big take-away for me though was lush! Rich, warm, dark. Moody colour palettes. Rich, lush materials. Plants, flowers, green living. Vignettes, acessories, personal and meaningful displays. Not a bad way to live with the coming winter months and exactly the vibe I want to add to my new-build in small doses..