Happy Liberation Day!

Happy Liberation Day Dutchies! This year celebrating our freedom has become even more important than ever. The war in Ukraine made us all realise that freedom can't be taken for granted. I am very grateful for my freedom; we are forever in debt with those who fought for us and gave their lives for us. Thank you resistance fighters and veterans from Canada, USA, UK and Poland!

King's Day 2022

On the 27th of April the Dutch celebrate King's Day, the birthday of King Willem Alexander of The Netherlands. In 2020 and 2021 almost all parties, festivals and celebrations were canceled due to Covid-19 (besides a few dull online parties). But in 2022, after two long years, we could finally celebrate again! 

"Koningsdag" is celebrated everywhere in The Netherlands, from small villages to big towns, from the North to the South, but it is especially one huge party in Amsterdam, with over one million visitors (in one day)!! If you ever have the chance, you should check it out. The canals are flooded with small boats with party people, all dressed in orange. There's music and people dancing everywhere.

This year I was in The Hague for King's Day, at Denneweg, Lange Voorhout, Oude Molstraat, Molenstraat and Prinsestraat and it was great. It was a little chilly, but Thank God the sun was shining. To me it felt like even more people than usual were dressed in orange from head to toe (so was I). Everybody had longed for this.... and boy, did it turn out well!!

My dress is from H&M, bag from Cano Colombia, shoes from Comme il faut.

Want to see more King's Day or Orange celebrations?
Please continue here:
King's Day 2018
What to wear on King's Day?

Venice

Venice, or Venezia, as it is called in Italian, is a city I wanted to visit for a long time. I was there as a little girl, but never had the chance to go back, until now. Wow!!! What a stunning place! The architecture, San Marco square, the canals, the gondolieri.... it was a thousand times better than I had imagined.

As my loyal followers will know, I love Italy & have been to many Italian cities, such as Rome, Florence, Milan and Naples. Now I can add Venice as a favourite destination for a city break in Italy.

Although I have to warn you: it is an expensive place and not very suitable for people with limited mobility and wheelchair users. Because of the large amount of canals and bridges, you have to walk a lot. However, I did see people with walking sticks and wheelchairs, whom I deeply respect and applaud.

Venice is a very special city, with many museums, tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants and shops. I absolutely loved going to the opera at the famous theatre La Fenice. (Tickets start at €100 but it is definitely worth it.) Having a cocktail at Bar Longhi, overlooking the Grand Canal, was also a mindblowing experience. (About €25 for an Aperol Spritz or Bellini.)

If you have enough time, go to the island of Burano. You can hire a private boat or go on a tour, either way, you have to see this pretty, colorful town. Murano is the other island really worth visiting, especially if you include a Murano Glass Factory tour.

Some of my favourite places:
The Gritti Palace Hotel
Bar Longhi
Caffè Florian
Teatro La Fenice
Peggy Guggenheim Collection (museum)
T Fondaco dei Tedeschi (shopping mall)
Vineria All'Amarone
Hostaria Castello
Bar il Caravellino

Happy Easter!

Cheers to a Happy Easter! May Easter 2022 bring peace, good news and renewal.... especially in Ukraine, but also closer to home. I am praying for the health of a dear friend.... 

I wish you all happy Easter holidays, with lots of sun, fun and an abundance of chocolate eggs!

Easter wreath by De Bosrand

White shirt and skirt by Vita Grace

Pom pom panama hat by Aquarose Cartagena

Green court shoes by Paul Warmer

Colorful tableware by Ceramica Artistica Solimene

Flowers by Au Petit Pont

Candles by Hart & Anders

Blue blazer by Zara

Blue Monday 2022

I can not believe it's already Blue Monday again.... time flies... despite Covid-19.... With a lot less traveling and a lot (more) working from home, I didn't think time would pass as fast as it does. Maybe that's because I am / we're getting used to the situation, or maybe because I did get to travel a little bit the past year. Anyhow, winter can be depressing, especially january... so here's some blue inspiration on another Blue Monday. 

Dress by Iris van Herpen at Kunstmuseum Den Haag
Underwater world shopwindow by Philip's Biscuits
Pillow with monkey print by H.O.F. Furniture
Bag with striped and maiolica fabric by Amicuore

Blue (ugly) Christmas sweater by KLM

Blue and gold top by Rixo

Photos taken in Orvieto, The Hague, Rotterdam, Cartagena de Indias, Samnaun, Mallorca, Capri and Perugia.