Another story

Last year I posted about the launching of &Other Stories. Almost a year later and I got to thinking how do I feel about this brand?

It definitely has a different vibe to Hennes & Mauritz and to Cos, despite being under the same umbrella. It falls between the accessibility of the first and the minimal lines of the second. Kind of a tossup between the two, actually. The clothes are less somber than Cos and also less directly trendy than H&M. The accessories are more polished than H&M and also a larger collection than that of COS.

 What I like best? The… accessories, hands down. I like the clothes as well and just recently bought a few duds but the shoe, bag and especially accessory line are what always gain my interest and sway me to purchase. The shoes have a slight edge to them that I rarely see in high street shops.  I have two pairs that I love, all leather right down to the sole and beautifully made, albeit they run a bit small and I wear a half size! And the accessories, everything from the bags to the jewelry to even the hair elastics make me sing. The things I have bought fall almost entirely in this category. My latest purchases are all jewelry including the cool cuffed ring on Instagram and jewelry edit. 

What do you think of this brand? For me &Other Stories is my go-to when it comes to accessories. They ship really quickly but I still can’t wait for them to open up shop in Antwerp and then Amsterdam, because sometimes a girl just needs to try stuff on.

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Divining rod

A question that keeps popping up in my thoughts is What are the keys I live by? Not where I want to go, the goals I want to achieve, but the markers that define the way that path is travelled. The character behind the actions, the drivers behind the thoughts. 

The major key for me is effort. Any and everything worth doing, is worth doing well. If you say you will, do so. Don’t half-ass it, drag your feet or worse yet never try. Leads to marker number two; show some passion, show your passion, in everything you do. So in tribute, here are some prints that say the same, albeit a bit more directly..

1. MM House design, 2. GFDA & 3. Paperchat.

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Friday favs

All the lovelies that caught my attention in week 6.

1. Because you, or me then, can’t have enough heels. A pair that feel like Saturday night fever meets Oxford.
2. Since the demise of the play tent, I have been on the lookout for a new kids hide-out? I think I found the inspiration I was looking for. Cushions, a lamp, a thin shelf for books. It’s starting to come together.
3. The mirror house is the  I've seen that truly disappears into the background, whatever that happens to be. 
4. I love design, I love James Bond, so of course I love this piggy bank titled Miss Monnipenni. May cost a few pennies, but the cutest way to start saving after that.
5. I do love my retro kitchen scale, would not trade for anything less than digital, or so I thought till I saw this even more old-school balancing version.
6. Wood, minimal design, colorful fabric cord, sign me up for the Tipi lamp from Designstudio Vandaag.

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The jewelry edit

I mentioned both in my goals and birthday edit posts tackling = downsizing and rehousing, my jewelry collection. So I figured why not share what else I want that freshly rejuvenated jewelry collection to contain. I mean let’s be honest, my three year old knows it and I know it... Jewelry is the crowning glory of dress-up. When you’re three, it’s an actual crown. For me though, jewelry plays mostly an understated and supporting role. I pretty much stick to pieces as a finishing touch. What that touch is, depends on the outfit. Here are a few pieces that would lend the right touch, from the delicate to the fun to the edgy.

Rings & things I adore this cuff with attached ring from &Other Stories (you can see it on my Instagram) and just in today this Fashionology bubble ring which I plan on wearing asap. Both are such great sale scores. Long on the wish list is a set of delicate midi rings in rose gold, which is my new favorite tone.

Studs & danglers I rarely wear statements earrings but I do like changing it up from studs every now and

again. And why now throw a statement or two into the mix? An Ear cuff to peek out from behind my streak of Kool-Aid brightness or just one long dangler from Loren Stewart for rock goddess appeal. These simple yet stunning exclamation point earrings and organic studs are for the more minimal and day-to-day needs.

Whips & chains There is always something dangling from neck. Whether long, short, thick or thin, necklaces are where it’s at for me. Hardly a day to day piece, but I love the idea of body chain over a plain t-shirt. And when there are as pretty as this one, I say go for it. I like a bit of cheek, so I am so digging this neck rudeness. And to balance the rude we need a bit of sweet and this little arrow necklace I bought at Label in Eindhoven reminds be of V-day (I also have the pistol bracelet in cause I don't catch him with Cupid's bow and arrow).

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The birthday edit

I am big on celebrating. After Christmas come birthdays and mines is coming up in a couple of weeks, followed a few days later by my musical, speed demon named wonder; Mika Dylan Jagger Arts (can you guess that I adore him and his name). And since we’re so close together in date and  personality, I figured it would be cute to do a joint inspiration post.

The cake

Starting with the cake because no birthday is complete without one. This year it will be homemade. A big switch to the specialty cakes I got for my daughter’s first and second birthday. I want to make a towering vanilla layer cake, decorated with more vanilla in the shape of macaroons.  These are my fav cookie and Mika first and last word of the day is 'coo-ka' which is his word for cookie. To be topped with long skinny candles.

The gifts

Hey I love gift selecting, buying, wrapping, giving and receiving. My Mika makes his namesake proud as he is wild for cars. These are what he reaches for in the toy bin nine out of ten times. I want to get him one with a remote, that he can hopefully control himself. I can hear his super infectious giggles already. Besides that I really want to make a Mika photo album. Picture after picture of my little guy from wrinkly little newborn to the kids cool version of Lenny Kravitz that he now is. Seriously, I got several such comments based on his super cool head of hair. 

And for me, it’s taking a bit of time off to recharge as I will hopefully be spending a day or two away in February getting pampered and relaxing. & I spotted the most fabulous housing unit for my jewelry collection in august at Puha; the idle wood collection from Jenna Postma. I decided this is the gift to mark fully and truly arriving in my thirties.  Great way to get all my stuff in one spot and showcase them. Plus it is such a beautiful piece. I just might divert the nest egg I was building for a piece of art to this piece of art.

The clothes

Clothing, because you dress up when celebrating. For Mika, a tuxedo style jacket I have been saving in a size two since he was a size one. Probably in combo with his lightning bolt harem style pants and a new pair of sneakers. His current pair are bit on the tight side. I’m thinking high-top basketball sneakers, but a bit funkier (like this pair from baby Zara). And for me I’m thinking a dress, one that I already own but have not yet worn as I can’t go breaking my resolutions so soon. Of course with heels, also a pair that have been sitting and waiting and I know exactly which one.

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For the love of coin

There is only a very small handful of stores that I actually visit as I am very much a cyber-chick. These are the exceptions to the rule ‘If it can’t be found online than it can’t be that good’. Such a store is You are here, and their facebook page which is more up to date. A great mix of funky, different than the everyday, clothing brands, shoes, accessories and interior products. Even the way the store is laid out and the presentation of the products is fun, cool and above all interesting.

But enough about the store, just go check it out. What I want to share is this cool perforated calfskin wallet from Kenzo I spotted there a couple of weeks ago. I waited to see if it was just an infatuation but it turned out to be true love. I ended up going back this week to seal the deal. Thank god for after holiday sales! But is she a beaut or is she a beaut. Simple, classic, young and fun without being sweet or standard. Standard meaning boring, which is to me what garlic is to a vampire (is it obvious, I'm a sci-fi chick as well). May me and this wallet spend many, many happy years together.

P.S. there are one of two things in the You are Here jewelry cabinet that keep catching my eye. You never know, my jewelry box might get a new bauble.

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