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

Flowers in abundance

 

Last Saturday my dear blogfriend Ingrid from Home & Lifestyle and I spent a delightful day in Breda. We did not really make any plans beforehand, but just started walking and talking! We passed the park, the 'grote markt', saw the Begijnhof and followed the Ginnekenstraat until the end, where we had lunch.

The shops in this part of Breda are lovely. There are some beautiful boutiques and lifestyle shops. I was especially taken with a flower shop called

 V&V Bloemen & Wonen.

It's one of the most beautiful flower shops I have seen. It's light, has beautiful floral wallpaper, pastel painted cupboards and tables, a lovely collection of vintage vases and the most beautiful and fresh flowers. As I did not take my camera with me, Ingrid kindly lend me hers. Due to the light the quality of the photo's is not too good, but nevertheless I want to share them with you. If you would like to see some more photo's of Breda, just have a look at her blog.

Ingrid, thank you once again. I enjoyed our outing very much. You are a sweetheart!

Wish you all a wonderful day! I am off to the garden centre to buy some violets.

LOVE,

Madelief x

Changing roles

Not long ago I used to be the one on top of things. I told my daughters where to buy their clothes, what the best restaurants are and which places to go to. Slowly roles are changing :-). When going to Amsterdam for a day in late September, my eldest daughter advised my husband and I to go to Mazzo. We both liked it.

The Italian restaurant has an industrial, but homely feel to it. It's the perfect place to just have a cup of coffee, a quick lunch or dinner. The clientèle is a mix of young and old. While sitting there we watched mothers chatting in the back of the restaurant, while their children enjoyed themselves, men reading their newspaper or working on their laptop and trendy young people just coming in for a drink. 

The food was delicious. My husband had a plate of spaghetti peperoncini vongole mussels and I a focaccia, tomato Mozarella di buffalo & pesto. When in Amsterdam do visit! You can find the restaurant on the Rozengracht, or just click on the link above.

Wish you all a lovely weekend! From a dark and grey Rotterdam,

Madelief x