New adventures

Hello!

It's been ages since I wrote last. I hope you are still out there, and well? Sorry it took such a long time for this post to appear, but once I put my laptop in the cupboard, it was difficult to get it out again.

The last couple of months I made some major decisions. One of them is to sell my garden. We spent nine happy years there, but it's time for a change. The garden really is too large for me to handle, and although the girls help me my out as often as possible, it's not enough. So it's a few tears, but a smile as well for New adventures are to begin.

The photo's in this post were partly taken in Delft, one of my favourite towns, on a hazy day about two weeks ago. The town looked magical with the December decorations already up.

The cake on my photo's is a Pistachio coconut and lime cake. It's an easy bake and absolutely delicious! You can find the recipe here.

As you know I have a love for vintage dresses. The ones in my photo's are from the late sixties/early seventies. I found the brown dress with the golden pattern in a tiny shop in Haarlem. I wish I could tell you the name, but I simply forgot. The dress with the black and brown graphic pattern and black belt was bought in Edinburgh (Armstrong & Son). I think they are both late sixties/ early seventies. Do you have a thing with vintage clothes?

Wishing you lovely days ahead!

Love,

Madelief  X

If you would like to see more, please check out my Instagram account 'madeliefblog'

Vintiguing in Antwerp

This post is long overdue. Sorry you had to wait such a long time for it to appear. I have been on a short holiday with my parents, and on a long weekend to Antwerp, one of my favourite towns in the Benelux.  It's only an hours drive from Rotterdam, and such a different world. It's hip, it's classy, the food is better, the clothes are finer and the people much more relaxed. My late husband and I used to visit regularly, to see an exhibition, do some shopping or just walk around town and enjoy the good life.

It was four years ago since I visited last. I thought it would be difficult being there, but somehow the town got me in it's grip. I enjoyed it just as much as I did before. It helped that I was in the company of two sweet friends who live in Antwerp during the weekend and showed me around town.

As they are just as keen on vintage clothing as I am, and now the best shops in town, I came home with two new winter outfits: an amazing turquoise jacket, two sweet hats, a copper sunburst necklace and an antique priests stole, which I use as a belt. I customized the jacket and belt a little, but furthermore the outfits are ok and look fab. 

For those of you who are interested  in the names of the shops I discovered my treasures: Think twice, the Kringwinkel and the Oxfam store. 

My photo's were taken around Antwerp, near the MAS/het Eilandje, in the city centre and my favourite B&B Bed, bad & brood.

Are you a vintage shopper and did you find any treasures recently?

Have a good week ahead!

Love,

Madelief x 


Thank you Marianne and Henny for a fabulous weekend! X

All things vintage

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Since I was a teenager I have been interested in all things vintage. From (custom) jewellery, porcelain, linen, glassware to fashion. Over the years my collection has grown. I don't keep all the things I find myself, I give them to friends and family as well or sell them at a vintage market once in a while.

Recently I have taken up looking for vintage fashion. It's so much fun to find something unique at a bargain price. The reason I gave it up years ago, was that I often couldn't get rid of the musty smell a lot of pre loved clothes have. I don't want to go out wearing a beautiful outfit, smelling like a damp cellar or someone who hasn't washed for a long time.... 

I tried it all: washing in vinegar, freezing, adding baking soda and all kind of chemicals, but to no avail. Until recently.....  I now soak the clothes in lukewarm water and add a few drops of Dettol disinfectant.

When you leave the clothes to soak overnight, the musty smell is replaced by a 'Dettol smell'. You can easily get rid of this by washing the clothes in the washing machine once or twice. Somehow this did the trick for me. It doesn't work on all material, so please keep that in mind. You have to find out for yourself. Most cottons and synthetic fabric do well. I haven't tried it on silk yet.

My daughters aren't too keen on my new method. It even makes my youngest gag. It reminds them of the time children had thrown up at primary school. Teachers used to clean with Dettol afterwards. So, whenever I use this method, I put my tile on the balcony :-)  

In today's post some of my latest vintage finds: a colourful kimono style blouse by a well known Dutch designer, a German pink/red/blue blouse, a tapestry bag, an orange/black French paisley dress and a yellow/green/orange paisley shirt.

The glassware, porcelain cache pot, jewellery, (botanic) prints and teacups come from Charity shops and thrift stores.

Do you have a method of your own for getting rid of musty smells in fabric?

A Happy week!

Love,

Madelief x

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