from amsterdam, with love

The Princess of Shoreditch

2009-12-09T10:09:00.000+02:00

Let me introduce to you the Princess of Shoreditch. This is a fabulous little gastropub tucked just back off Old Street in Shoreditch. I was taken there for a beautiful Sunday roast (thank you, darling é) then went again the next night with the every delightful Miss Finn for yet another fab meal. I think i could eat there every night. In fact, if I lived here I probably would!Warm, cosy, fantastic staff, lovely wine and food to die for. Simple, elegant, full-on flavours. Recently re-furbished by owners Scott Hunter and Maria Larsen, they say "We have a passion for fresh, seasonal food, good wine and friendly, efficient service and our chef Benoit Doutres (Moulin de Mougins), brings a French twist to our Modern British menu." There are two dining areas, downstairs in the pub proper, and upstairs with an a la carte menu. I sat downstairs both times and the atmosphere was beautifully cosy and snug, just divine.
The Princess of Shoreditch. 76 Paul Street London EC2A 4NE Tel: 020 7729 9270.

Feast your eyes

2009-12-08T11:02:00.001+02:00

So I'm in London for work again (brilliant!) and came early for the weekend. I was taken to the Borough Market for the first time. It was amazing. Just look at the colour of this food.
I love mushies! They are my favourite.
Really reasonably priced, and everything just looked fabulous. I had a lamb and mint burger cooked on the spot at the Greek BBQ. Wonderful.

Christmas window at Selfridges

2009-12-07T19:43:00.026+02:00

Took a stroll up Oxford streetto Seldriges to see their Chrissy window display this year. Fairytales on acid.
Snow white...
Little Red Riding Hood, all grown up. No wonder the wolf's eyes are popping out of his head.
Cinderella.
Puss in Boots.
Can't remember...! Dress by McQueen.
Dressed by Vivianne Westwood.
And around the corner, Louis Vuittons's window displays.

Sonia Rykiel for H&M

2009-12-03T16:47:00.003+02:00

Dieter Rams

2009-12-04T09:00:00.012+02:00

Ij Hallen – last one for the summer!

2009-12-02T10:33:00.000+02:00

Obviously, I'm behind in some posts. That's cause I left these pics on my work computer while working in London these last months. These are finds from the last summer Ij Hallen.
Beautiful linens, all €1 to €3 a piece!
Loving the eucalyptus pattern on this. The Aussie gal in me couldn't resist.
Some more vases...I'm addicted! I know.
Baby socks for Miss Milla.
Rad teaching clock.
And this amazing little magazine stand for €7.50. Believe it or not. What a steal!
It's not in the nook. My reading nook. Full of mags.
Awesome old view finder in way cool box.
And, of course, whenever I go to Ij Hallen I have the full experience - dirty cheap coffee, and poffertjes! LOVE my poffertjes.

Luella at Liberty

2009-12-01T09:18:00.000+02:00

Luella has done the Christmas windows for Liberty this year. Sad that Luella is closing her shop doors, but that's another story. What I'm all about here is amazing paper maché foxes. Love foxes, love paper maché.

Cambridge

2009-11-30T10:00:00.000+02:00

Day trip to Cambridge.
Visited lot of colleges with beautiful building details.
It's the little details I like. These are pics are about life size. Tiny window panes with painted detail. Just lovely.
And it's Autumn and the colours are vibrant and beautiful.

Christmas up in lights

2009-11-27T10:00:00.000+02:00

Covent Garden. Christmas, here we come!

papercut dioramas

2009-11-26T09:55:00.001+02:00

Window displays for a jeweller in Cambridge. Very nice hand cut paper diorama's.

wet and dirty london

2009-11-25T10:10:00.000+02:00

Fantastic piles of colourful leaves everywhere on the streets of London. I love autumn.
And phone booths. Speaking of semi-naked women, I'm back in the 'Dam. More NL posts coming soon...

Brighton

2009-11-24T10:10:00.000+02:00

Day trippin' to Brighton. More beautiful buildings.
Nice ray.
Fantastic stonework on this house.
And of course, the pier.
Fred the rooster.
Had an amazing lunch at cafe Here (can't find it online, anyone?). They do a superb Sunday roast and minted lamb burger. Really great food, lovely staff. Please anyone with an address, holla.

Bethnal

2009-11-11T09:50:00.000+02:00

Walkin' about the hood.
Columbia Flower Market.
Nice type embossed in concrete.
Beautiful grey buildings.

bullseye

2009-11-09T19:06:00.000+02:00

Found a lovely package of vintage targets, from a store that closed down in the 60s apparently.
And some very nice type on an old Cadbuy's chocolate box that is now my stamp box.

new ceramics at the V and A

2009-11-06T20:42:00.000+02:00

Lookie here! New Ceramic rooms open at the V&A: "Purpose built in 1909 for the display of the Ceramics collection the newly refurbished galleries tell the story of world ceramics, with 3000 objects on display from the earliest Chinese pottery to contemporary ceramic art."
These are just a few pieces that stood out for me.
View from the rooms.
LOVE this.
Really love this.

Anthropologie

2009-11-03T09:41:00.003+02:00

I first discovered Anthropologie when living in the States about a decade ago. My friend Holly and I made day trips to Boston and I fell in love with the beautiful fabrics and books and homewares. Sadly, the clothing is as unaffordable now as it was then. I'm sure some people will pay £415 for day dress made of low-grade fabric and workmanship, but not I. The books are great though, and there are some nice jewels, and I'm sure a few other bits, but I got there just before closing time so didn't get much time to look around. What IS great and unmissbale and worth going to visit the store for, if you hadn't guessed by now, is the living wall. it's just stunning and these pic don't do it justice. Anyway, if you're in the area pop by and check out the wall.
Anthropologie: 158 Regent Street. London, UK W1B 5SW.
Store hours: Monday-Saturday 10am – 7pm. Late shopping Thursday until 8pm. Sunday 12-6pm
Easy access from the Piccadilly & Oxford Circus Tube stops.

walls

2009-11-02T09:06:00.001+02:00

Some nice street art by Hoxton Square.

Nuts about white porcelain

2009-10-30T08:36:00.000+02:00

I really like white porcelain. KG and AB's porcelain mixed nuts and now on my shopping list. Assorted porcelain nuts: walnuts, peanuts, brazil nuts, hazlenuts, almond, and pecans. Just slightly smaller than life size. Handmade in Brooklyn from a vintage mold...11 nuts included. Available online at Reform School Rules for USD $45 / approx. €30.50. They'll be right at home with my gourds and potato ceramics.

Elazabeth Peyton - Live Forever

2009-10-29T09:43:00.002+02:00

Elizabeth Peyton. I saw this exhibition in NYC last November, then in London this summer and now lucky Netherlanders get to see it. If I was in the country I'd go see it again. YES that good.
I think Peytons work is really beautiful and I don't often get excited over paintings. As with most art, the reproductions never do it justice but these back-lit by computer screen light actually does help as her work is truly luminous. The contemporary subject matter and poses, the incredible amount of detail and facial expression she gets from a few brush strokes, and the vibrant colours make each of these petite works these a feast for the eye. The exhibition is showing in Maastricht at the Bonnefanten Museum. And Maastricht is a very nice little town in the south of The Netherlands, if you haven't been definitely go for a day trip. Check out previous post here for more on the city and a few shopping tips.

An interview on Ms Peyton can be seen here. The book is also really beautiful. Live Forever, exhibition by Elizabeth Peyton is on from October 18 until March 21st 2010.

Dan Funderburgh

2009-10-28T09:58:00.001+02:00

Shiny Showcase presents: Dan Funderburgh. Reliquary 1 : Dead Medium / Hand of Glory / Magic Bone. Foil Stamped and Editioned Fine Art Print run of 500. Measures 25" x 19". USD $18.

Sunny days in London

2009-10-27T00:51:00.009+02:00

Rescued this little guy from the Spitalfields flea market. Awesome. And the beautiful wooden music maker below. Just lovely. Both for a handful of coins. My work area now looks much more cosy and way more Lelly.
It may be the end of October, but it's still gorgeous and sunny in London.
View from my home this morning.

Spitalfields Market

2009-10-21T14:14:00.000+02:00

Spitalfields Market, a stone's throw from where the W+K London office. And Thursday is VINTAGE day! Whoo hoo! Lots of treasure to be found.
Vintage appliques.
Beautiful vintage French magazines from late 40s and early 50s. Check out the waistlines.

Arty farty

2009-10-20T09:27:00.000+02:00

Untitled, by Maurizio Cattelan from the Tate Modern's current Pop Life, Art In A Material World exhibition.

Liberty's Windows

2009-10-19T09:21:00.000+02:00

Liberty's windows inspired by spreads of Another Magazine.
And what fun you can have with neon tubing lights.

Bethnal Green

2009-10-18T18:36:00.000+02:00

Wandering around Bethnal Green.

Beautiful buildings.
Came across The Museum of Childhood in my wandering. Marvelous.
Lovely fox.
Sindy Doll.
Gem and the Holograms!
Knitted bench at Prick Your Finger.
Nice.